NASENI, Abuja Technology Village Forge Strategic Partnership to Boost Nigeria’s Technological, Industrial Capacity

 The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has announced a strategic partnership with the Abuja Technology Village (ATV) to transform 300 hectares of land into a hub for factories, technology companies, and innovation-driven manufacturing facilities, aimed at revitalizing Nigeria’s technological capacity and strengthening the national economy.

Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday at the Abuja Technology Village office, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to working with local and foreign partners to transition NASENI’s presence at ATV from a research-centric institution to a fully-fledged manufacturing powerhouse.

“NASENI will work to attract investments and create job opportunities through this initiative. Our goal is to promote national brands and local production through the Abuja Technology Village. This is just the beginning—more factories will rise, and innovation will flourish within the 300 hectares. We are assuring that ATV will not be disappointed,” Mr. Halilu said.

He further emphasized that NASENI will no longer keep research outputs on the shelf as prototypes but will focus on transforming renewable energy and other innovations into market-ready products. “This partnership with ATV is a key step in that direction,” he added.

Mr. Halilu highlighted that NASENI developed 35 market-viable products last year alone, noting that the collaboration with ATV would help scale these innovations. He underscored the mutual benefits of the partnership, citing shared goals such as ATV’s strategic location, investment incentives, and a joint vision for advancing technology and growing Nigeria’s economy.

In his opening remarks, the Acting Managing Director of Abuja Technology Village Free Zone Company, Mr. Isa Yusuf Shafeek, described the partnership as timely and crucial for Nigeria’s industrial development.

“This partnership is a perfect fit, especially when Nigeria urgently needs to build local production capacity. ATV is ready and committed to working with NASENI on various technology-driven projects,” he stated.

Also speaking at the event, Dr. Dahiru Mohammed, Special Adviser on Foreign Partners and Inter-Governmental Affairs to the NASENI EVC, emphasized the initiative’s importance for Nigeria’s human capital development. He noted that the establishment of factories and the attraction of technology companies have been top priorities under NASENI’s new leadership.

“We may even require more space beyond the 300 hectares soon due to the high level of interest this partnership is already generating,” Dr. Mohammed remarked. “This collaboration is a bold step toward reducing our dependence on imports and fostering domestic innovation.”

The NASENI-ATV partnership marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s broader strategy for industrialisation and technology-based economic transformation.

Established in 2009, Abuja Technology Village (ATV) is Nigeria’s pioneering technology park and Special Economic Zone (SEZ), strategically designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the heart of the nation’s capital. ATV offers state-of-the-art infrastructure and a conducive environment for technology-driven businesses, research institutions, and innovators, with a focus on sectors including Information and Communication Technology, Biotechnology, Minerals Technology, and Energy Technology.

By providing a platform for collaboration, innovation, and sustainable growth, the ATV-NASENI partnership aims to drive economic development, create employment opportunities, and position Nigeria as a leading player in the global technology landscape.