NASENI in 2026 Will Consolidate on Impactful Projects In support of FG Renewed Hope Agenda

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) is entering year 2026 with a renewed sense of purpose and strategic focus, driven by its mandate to lay a solid foundation for Nigeria’s industrialisation through indigenous science, technology and engineering solutions.

Over the years, NASENI has positioned itself as a key driver of local content development, capital goods production and research commercialization, and this year it is expected to consolidate the gains made through a combination of infrastructure delivery, innovation support and skills development in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Administration

Drawing from ongoing programmes and official disclosures on the Agency’s platforms, as well as reports and analyses published by Daily Trust, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year in which several landmark projects will be completed, commissioned and scaled for national impact.

In the last quarter of 2025, NASENI intensified efforts to complete a number of projects that align with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in the areas of industrial manufacturing, technological self-reliance and job creation.

These efforts are expected to yield tangible outcomes in 2026, as facilities under construction across different geopolitical zones are being finalized and made operational. The Agency’s approach reflects a deliberate strategy to ensure balanced regional development, while addressing critical gaps in Nigeria’s industrial and technological ecosystem.

One of the most anticipated projects slated for completion and commissioning in 2026 is the NASENI Drone Assembly and Manufacturing Facility at the Aeronautics and Air Vehicle Development Institute in Kaduna State. This facility is designed to enhance Nigeria’s capacity in unmanned aerial vehicle technology, including assembly, testing and potential manufacturing of drones for civilian and security applications.

The project is seen as a major step towards reducing reliance on imported drone technology, while also opening new opportunities for research, innovation and local expertise in aerospace engineering. When fully operational, the facility is expected to support sectors such as agriculture, environmental monitoring, mapping, disaster management and national security.

In the North-East, the Industrial Equipment and Machinery Development Institute in Maiduguri, Borno State, represents another critical intervention by NASENI. The institute is part of efforts to stimulate industrial activities in a region that has faced years of insecurity and economic disruption.

The institute will serve as hub for skills training, fabrication and maintenance of industrial machinery, thereby supporting reconstruction and economic recovery. The completion of this institute is expected to provide local industries, artisans and small manufacturers with access to modern equipment and technical support, while also creating employment opportunities for young people.

Similarly, the Engineering Materials and Equipment Development Institute in Katsina State, is nearing completion and is expected to be commissioned in 2026. The institute is strategically positioned to support research and development in engineering materials, equipment design and testing.

NASENI has consistently emphasized the importance of local materials development as a way of reducing production costs and strengthening Nigeria’s manufacturing base. With the completion of the Katsina institute, stakeholders anticipate increased collaboration between researchers, manufacturers and educational institutions, leading to improved product quality and competitiveness of locally made goods.

Also, Agricultural mechanization remains a core focus of NASENI’s interventions, and this is reflected in the ongoing construction of Agricultural Machinery & Equipment Development Institutes in different parts of the country. In Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State, the institute is designed to support farmers and agro-industrial players through the development, fabrication and maintenance of agricultural machinery suited to local conditions.

Daily Trust has repeatedly reported on the challenges facing Nigerian farmers, including limited access to modern equipment and high cost of imported machinery. By completing and commissioning this institute, NASENI aims to contribute to improved productivity, reduced post-harvest losses and enhanced food security.

In the South-East, the Agricultural Machinery & Equipment Development Institute in Aboh-Mbaise, Imo State, is another project expected to be completed in 2026. The institute is intended to serve as a centre for agricultural machinery development and skills training, supporting both subsistence and commercial farming activities in the region.

NASENI’s decision to site such facilities across different zones underscores its commitment to inclusive development and its recognition of agriculture as a key driver of economic diversification. A similar institute in Obudu, Cross River State further reinforces this approach, providing support for agricultural mechanization and agro-processing in the South-South.

Beyond heavy infrastructure and manufacturing, NASENI is also placing strong emphasis on human capital development. The completion of several Skill Acquisition Centres located in different parts of the country is expected to be a major highlight of 2026.

These centres are designed to equip Nigerians, particularly youths and women, with practical technical skills in areas such as fabrication, welding, machining, electrical works and other trades relevant to industrial production. There is always a link between skills development and employment generation, and the operationalisation of these centres is expected to contribute to reducing unemployment and bridging skills gaps in the economy.

Furthermore, in the area of research and emerging technologies, the NASENI’s Sustainable and Emerging Technologies Institute (SETI) at Bayero University, Kano, is another strategic project expected to be completed and commissioned in 2026. The institute is designed to serve as a platform for advanced research, innovation and collaboration between NASENI, academia and industry.

According to available records in the Agency, the focus will include sustainable technologies, emerging industrial solutions and applied research with commercial potential. The location within a university environment is expected to facilitate knowledge exchange, capacity building and the translation of research outputs into market-ready products.

Renewable energy is also receiving increased attention as part of NASENI’s broader mandate to support sustainable development. The Renewable Energy Park in Gora, Nasarawa State, is one of the projects expected to be scaled up in 2026. The park is designed to support research, development and demonstration of renewable energy technologies, including solar power and related systems.

As Nigeria grapples with energy challenges, Daily Trust has consistently highlighted the need for diversified and sustainable energy solutions. The completion of this facility is expected to contribute to local capacity in renewable energy technology, support rural electrification efforts and promote cleaner energy alternatives.

While infrastructure delivery remains a major focus, NASENI is also consolidating its impact through innovation-driven initiatives aimed at supporting entrepreneurs, researchers and innovators. Last year, the Agency commenced several initiatives that are expected to reach critical milestones in the first quarter of 2026.

Among these are the Delta-2 Projects, DELT-Her for female engineers, FutureMakers for 6-16 year olds and the NASENI Research Commercialisation Grant Programme for research institutes and universities. These initiatives are designed to identify promising ideas, provide funding and technical support, and to facilitate transition from concept to commercial product.

The Delta-2 Projects builds on previous innovation challenges organised by NASENI, with a focus on practical solutions to national development challenges. The selection and announcement of winners in 2026 is expected to generate renewed interest in innovation and problem-solving, particularly among young Nigerians.

DELT-Her, on the other hand, is targeted at empowering women innovators and entrepreneurs, addressing gender gaps in science, technology and engineering. By supporting female-led innovations, NASENI is contributing to inclusive growth and ensuring that women play a central role in Nigeria’s technological advancement.

FutureMakers is another initiative expected to yield outcomes in 2026, focusing on nurturing young innovators and supporting early-stage ideas with the potential for commercialization. Through mentorship, funding and access to technical resources, the programme aims to create a pipeline of innovators capable of contributing to Nigeria’s industrial growth.

The NASENI Research Commercialisation Grant Programme (NRCGP) further reinforces this objective by providing targeted support for researchers seeking to translate their findings into marketable products. Daily Trust has noted that one of the persistent challenges in Nigeria’s research ecosystem is the gap between academic research and industry application, and this programme is designed to bridge that gap.

In December 2025, NASENI announced the institution of an Inter-Agency Competition aimed at driving innovation among Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). The competition is designed to encourage public sector institutions to develop innovative solutions to operational and service delivery challenges.

The unveiling of winners and their solutions in 2026 is expected to showcase the potential of innovation within the public sector and promote a culture of efficiency and creativity across government institutions.

Collectively, the projects and initiatives lined up for completion and consolidation in 2026 reflect NASENI’s holistic approach to national development. By combining infrastructure development, skills acquisition, research support and innovation funding, the Agency is addressing multiple dimensions of Nigeria’s industrialization challenge.

As 2026 unfolds, expectations remain high that the completion, commissioning and scaling up of these projects will translate into tangible benefits for Nigerians, including increased local production, job creation, enhanced skills and improved technological capacity. For NASENI, the year represents an opportunity not only to consolidate past investments, but also to demonstrate the long-term impacts of sustained commitment to science, engineering and innovation as drivers of national progress.

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