The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) have signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at expanding indigenous research, development, and innovation.
The landmark agreement was consummated on Friday during a visit by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, to the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, at the Agency’s Headquarters in Abuja.
Air Marshal Abubakar explained that the new MOU was significant because it introduces “more refined provisions that will ensure seamless, structured, and result-driven cooperation.”
According to him, the MoU covers joint research and development, human capacity building, local production of aerospace parts, and strategic co-development of defence technologies.
“This renewed partnership aligns perfectly with the Presidential priority on innovation, defence self-reliance, and indigenous capacity development, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda for a more secure and prosperous Nigeria,” he added.
In his response, NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman, Mr Khalil Halilu, expressed the agency’s full commitment to the renewed partnership.
“We are not just ready, we are prepared to co-develop technologies that will support NAF’s operations and industrial capacity,” he said.
NAF said the visit marks a milestone in Nigeria’s quest for technological sovereignty in defence and a bold commitment by both institutions to harness science, engineering, and innovation as enablers of national strength and socio-economic growth.
