Front row left: Representative of Bloomhill Agroservices, Germany, Elizabeth Ogbile; representative of (B) Energy, Germany, Katrin Puetz; S.A on Strategy to the EVC/CEO of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr. Mohammed Mahmoud; team lead, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Investment and Technology Promotion Office (ITPO), Germany, Mr. Michael Schmidtz; Representative of the EVC/CEO of NASENI, Coordinating Director, Planning and Business Development, Mrs. Nonyem Onyechi; Coordinating Director, Science Infrastructure, NASENI, Prof Ibrahim Umar Gaya; Director, Finance and Accounts, Mr. Jibril R. Haske; and the Deputy Head, UNIDO Nigeria Office, Mr. Adekunle Olusile after a collaboration meeting between NASENI and UNIDO delegation on Monday, December 11, 2023 in Abuja.
A landmark move aimed at alleviating energy poverty and accelerating industrial growth in Nigeria, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is actively seeking collaboration with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI). The initiative, disclosed during a visit led by Mr. Adekunle Olusile, Deputy Head of UNIDO’s Nigeria Office, focuses on the localization of renewable energy solutions and fostering the country’s industrial development.
During the visit on Monday, October 11, 2023, in Abuja, Mr. Olusile expressed UNIDO’s interest in facilitating partnerships between German companies and research institutions with NASENI. The collaboration aims to minimize energy wastage and align with the government’s food production agenda. NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, represented by Mrs. Nonyem Onyechi, Coordinating Director of Planning and Business Development, welcomed the delegation, acknowledging UNIDO’s outreach and expressing gratitude for the collaborative initiative.
Mrs. Onyechi highlighted NASENI’s role in driving Nigeria’s industrial development through technology transfer, capital goods production for SMEs, and entrepreneurial support. In a comprehensive presentation, Deputy Director of Engineering Infrastructure, Engr. Emmanuel Ajani, showcased NASENI’s interventions, programs, and projects in the renewable, agricultural, and industrial sectors, demonstrating technological innovations and products.
Michael Schmidt, Team Lead of the UNIDO Investment and Technology Promotion Office (ITPO) Germany, emphasized UNIDO’s commitment to mobilizing investments and technologies for sustainable industrial development. The visit to NASENI served as a fact-finding mission to explore collaboration possibilities between German companies and the agency, with a focus on socio-economic development.
The delegation emphasized support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government agenda, particularly in food processing, food packaging, and reducing energy waste through biogas production and various renewable energy solutions such as solar PV and batteries.
Identifying numerous areas of collaboration, the Deputy Head of UNIDO’s Nigeria Office highlighted Germany’s strength in the renewable sector. The parties subsequently established a working group or committee to drive initiatives and engage prospective partners. Representatives from German companies, including Bloomhill Agroservices, (B)energy, Wilo Pumps, GEA, EMPO-NI, and University Weihenstephan Triesdorf, participated in the meeting held at Belanova Apartment and Suites in Abuja, laying the groundwork for future collaborative endeavors.
