By Ken Chiwendu
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) says the first made-in-Nigeria helicopter is nearing completion.
The project manager of the Aeronautics and Air Vehicle Development Institute ,Kareeem Aduagba Institute, an agency under NASENI, spoke on Wednesday during a focus group engagement in Kaduna.
The institute is under the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure NASENI ,organisers of the event.
The event drew participation from inventors and manufacturers and other fields including the academia and private sectors to promote local manufacturing, innovation, and the adoption of made-in-Nigeria products.
The forum also had in attendance, government officials, industry leaders, and innovators to discuss policies that will drive Nigeria’s industrial and technological growth.
In his remark Aduagba assured, “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,”
“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.”
Also speaking,Abdulfatai Ambali, Head of the manufacturing services department at the Hydraulic Equipment Development Institute, Kano (under NASENI), emphasised the agency’s role in national development.
He explained that NASENI has a renewed focus on commercialisation, collaboration, and creation under its current leadership. While noting that many Nigerians are not aware of NASENI and its activities, Ambali said that with the current leadership, the agency is prioritising awareness, stakeholder engagement, and community impact.
On his part, the facilitator of the programme, Saleh Kwaru urged Nigerians to prioritize and patrinise local industries to strengthen the economy..
“We must look inward and leverage our resources. Constantly relying on foreign products weakens our economy,” He said.
