By Olakunle Oke
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) have formalised a renewed collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at accelerating indigenous defence, aerospace, and infrastructure technologies.
The agreement was signed on 25 July 2025 at NASENI’s headquarters in Idu Industrial Layout, Abuja, by Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff, and Mr Khalil Suleiman Halilu, NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Air Marshal Abubakar commended NASENI’s progress under Halilu’s leadership, particularly its contribution to the C5 Rocket Project through the production of rocket bodies and structural components as well as precision material analysis. He drew attention to the NASENI Northwest Technology Innovation Hub situated at the Air Force Institute of Technology in Kaduna, describing it as a milestone supported by NAF’s land allocation.
Abubakar proposed stronger NAF participation in the hub’s governance and co-ownership of the C5 Rocket Project, calling on NASENI to improve cost efficiency while sustaining its lead in rocket body production.
Halilu reiterated NASENI’s dedication to the alliance, describing it as one of the agency’s most effective collaborations. He outlined NASENI’s advancements in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) development, drone pilot training, asset recovery initiatives, and state-of-the-art Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining facilities.
Halilu encouraged NAF to take advantage of these resources and proposed enrolling NASENI’s young researchers in NAF’s new R&D training modules while offering CNC machining courses to Air Force personnel at NASENI’s Centre of Excellence.
The MoU reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on collaborative research and development, local production of aerospace and defence components, human capital enhancement, and knowledge exchange.
Halilu described the agreement as a blueprint for future progress, stating, “It’s about building the future of Nigeria’s defence and innovation ecosystem together.”
Both institutions are expected to develop joint action plans on the C5 Rocket Project, CNC training, and other innovation-led projects. The partnership represents a significant stride toward self-reliance in Nigeria’s defence sector and is set to advance technological innovation and capacity building, strengthening national security and supporting economic growth through home-grown solutions.
