The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) says the first made-in-Nigeria helicopter is nearing completion.
On Wednesday, Kareem Aduagba, project manager of NASENI’s Aeronautics and Air Vehicle Development Institute, spoke at a focus group in Kaduna.
NASENI organised the event to encourage local manufacturing, innovation, and the acceptance of made-in-Nigeria products.
The event was attended by innovators and manufacturers from academia and the corporate sector.
The summit also gathered government officials, industry executives, and innovators to explore policies that will propel Nigeria’s industrial and technology growth.
“Very soon, we are going to do the first test. Everything is nearing completion now, and very soon, we will fly the first made-in-Nigeria helicopter,” Aduagba said.
“What we are doing now is not to reinvent the wheel. We had one of our projects being started from the first principle, which we are working on, both the made-in-Nigeria helicopter and some unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).
“We have some which we bought over from developed countries, which we had them in semi-knockdown (SKD) and some complete knockdown (CKD).
“So, we are now making use of science and engineering knowledge to work on the SKD and the CKD.”
Abdulfatai Ambali, chief of the manufacturing services department of the Hydraulic Equipment Development Institute, Kano (part of NASENI), underlined the agency’s importance in national development.
Ambali further stated that NASENI’s current leadership has refocused on commercialisation, collaboration, and creation.
He stated that many Nigerians are unaware of NASENI and its work. He added that under the present administration, the organisation prioritises awareness, stakeholder involvement, and community impact.
Ambali went on to say that NASENI is aiming to develop local technology to lessen the country’s reliance on foreign products.
Saleh Kwaru, the programme’s organiser, advised Nigerians to be patriotic by supporting local enterprises, underlining that national growth is dependent on purchasing locally produced goods.
“We must look inward and leverage our resources. Constantly relying on foreign products weakens our economy,” Kwaru said.
