NASENI, Gambia explore partnership on technology commercialisation
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the Government of The Gambia have agreed to develop a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in technology development, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), research, innovation, skills development and technology commercialisation.
The development followed a high-level experiential learning visit by the Gambian Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Prof. Pierre Gomez, and his delegation to NASENI headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
The delegation had earlier visited selected NASENI facilities, including the Centre of Excellence and NASENI Solar Energy Limited (NSEL), where they were briefed on the agency’s interventions in renewable energy, agricultural mechanisation, electronics, power systems, advanced manufacturing, scientific equipment, aeronautics, solid minerals, machine tools and drone technology.
Representing NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, the Director of Technology Business Development and Special Adviser on General Matters, Engr. Ozigi O. Benard, said the agency was positioned to serve as a technology development, transfer and commercialisation platform for Nigeria and other African countries seeking to build indigenous technological capacity.
Benard said NASENI operated through a network of specialised development institutes providing an integrated platform for research and development, prototyping, testing, manufacturing, technical training, technology transfer and commercialisation. He said the agency’s strategic direction was anchored on the principle of the “3Cs” — Creation, Collaboration and Commercialisation — with emphasis on taking research outputs from laboratories and prototypes into the marketplace.
He identified renewable energy and solar photovoltaic systems, power electronics, embedded systems, industrial automation, agricultural engineering, advanced manufacturing, scientific equipment, materials development, aeronautics, drone technology, solid minerals processing and technical skills development as areas with strong potential for cooperation with The Gambia.
Benard added that NASENI had strengthened partnerships with universities, polytechnics, research institutions and indigenous private-sector companies to support curriculum development, technical training, certification, joint research, technology development and the commercialisation of locally developed technologies.
Gomez said The Gambia was seeking to transform its higher education and TVET ecosystem through practical learning, institutional partnerships and stronger African cooperation. He said the delegation visited Nigeria to learn from NASENI’s approach to research, development, manufacturing and technology transfer, with the aim of adapting relevant models to The Gambia.
