NASENI, Nigerian Air Force renew pact to strengthen defense technologies
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration on indigenous technology development, particularly in defense, aerospace, and infrastructure.
The ceremony, held on July 25, 2025, at NASENI Headquarters in Abuja, was led by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, who was received by NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, and the agency’s top management.
Air Marshal Abubakar praised NASENI’s leadership and innovation, particularly in reverse engineering, manufacturing, and its support for the Air Force. He highlighted NASENI’s role in the C5 Rocket Project, including the production of rocket bodies and structural analysis.
He commended the NASENI Northwest Technology Innovation Hub established at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Kaduna, and proposed increased NAF participation in the hub’s operations, alongside a formal co-ownership of the C5 Rocket Project.
The Air Chief also urged NASENI to enroll its researchers in the Air Force’s R&D training modules and expand capacity-building collaboration in Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining for Air Force technical personnel.
Mr. Halilu, in response, reaffirmed NASENI’s commitment to the partnership, describing it as highly productive. He cited shared achievements in reverse engineering, UAV development, drone training, and asset recovery initiatives.
He emphasized NASENI’s inclusive approach to collaboration, noting the agency’s readiness to share its advanced infrastructure with public institutions while maintaining cost efficiency through private sector partnerships.
The renewed MoU is designed to be more structured and outcome-focused, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. It lays the groundwork for enhanced cooperation in defense manufacturing, joint R&D, and human capital development.
