Abuja: The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) have signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen indigenous research, development, and innovation in the defence and aerospace sectors.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the MoU was signed on Friday in Abuja during a visit by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, to NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Mr. Khalil Halilu, at the agency’s headquarters. The visit reaffirmed their ongoing collaboration and launched broader institutional synergy in aerospace, engineering, and technology development.
Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, NAF’s Director, Public Relations and Information, highlighted the importance of the visit, noting Air Marshal Abubakar’s commendation of NASENI’s leadership under Halilu. Abubakar described the agency as ‘a beacon of hope for technological advancement in Nigeria’ and emphasized that technological self-reliance was crucial for a strong and responsive air force.
Abubakar also highlighted key achievements, including NASENI’s significant role in developing the Nigerian-made C-5 aircraft rocket, with successful material analysis and upcoming parts manufacturing. He pointed to the establishment of the NASENI North-West Technology Innovation Hub at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in Kaduna as a symbol of their joint progress.
He extended an invitation to NASENI for co-ownership of the C-5 Rocket Project, mentioning that the new MoU introduces refined provisions for seamless, structured, and results-driven cooperation. This cooperation covers joint research and development, human capacity building, local aerospace production, and strategic defence technology co-development. Abubakar stated that the partnership aligns with the presidential priority on innovation, defence self-reliance, and indigenous capacity development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
In response, Mr. Khalil Halilu reaffirmed NASENI’s commitment to co-develop technologies supporting NAF’s operational and industrial growth. He described the collaboration as a catalyst for Nigeria’s shift ‘from importation to innovation, and from consumption to creation.’ He emphasized that the visit marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s pursuit of technological sovereignty in defence, reflecting a strong commitment by both institutions to leverage science, engineering, and innovation as drivers of national strength and socio-economic development.