The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has inked a significant agreement valued at $21.7 million with eleven Nigerian firms, marking the commencement of the Delta-2 Projects. This collaborative effort stems from the partnership between the federal government of Nigeria and the Czech Republic.
Beneficiary companies in Nigeria are tasked with developing diverse products and services that will contribute to the nation’s economic growth. Spearheaded by the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer/Information Exchange (PICTT), NASENI serves as the implementing agency for Nigeria in collaboration with the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TACR).
Addressing stakeholders at the Agency’s headquarters on Monday, December 18, 2023, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NASENI, highlighted the Delta-2 program’s focus on funding research, development, and innovation projects in Agriculture, Mining, and General Manufacturing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). With $21.7 million allocated for the selected projects, TA CR will contribute $11.7 million, while NASENI will contribute $10 million as a counterpart fund.
Emphasizing NASENI’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s technology and innovation landscape, Mr. Halilu underscored the agency’s principles of Collaboration, Creation, and Commercialization. He expressed the vision of creating value and relevance in the market, ensuring that partnership outcomes are commercially available for consumers to benefit from.
The EVC/CEO reiterated the significant return on investment, stating that for every single kobo invested in the Delta-2 program, the agency anticipates almost six naira (N6) in commercial returns. This initiative is not only poised to create job opportunities but also facilitate capacity building and technology transfer.
Mr. Halilu congratulated the selected beneficiaries of the projects, urging them not to take this substantial opportunity for granted. He assured stakeholders that the funds would be deployed with a sense of service and responsibility, aligning with NASENI’s commitment to leveraging technology and talent to deliver returns that benefit Nigeria on multiple levels.
Dr. Dahiru Mohammed, Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee (PIC) on Technology Transfer/Information Exchange for Delta 2 Projects, shared key insights during a recent event. He revealed that the program, launched on May 18, 2022, received 285 proposals from various Nigerian companies, each rigorously evaluated by members of the Assessment Committee.
This committee comprised experts from the Nigerian Academy of Science, Nigerian Academy of Engineering, and the Nigeria-Czech Republic Trade and Investment Council (NCTIC). Dr. Mohammed emphasized the meticulous coordination by research and business experts, assisted by the PIC secretariat.
Notably, the beneficiaries of the awards span all regions of the country, representing a comprehensive distribution. The funds, earmarked for implementation, are scheduled to be deployed between January 2024 and will sustain the projects for a period ranging from 12 to 36 months.
The overarching goal of the Delta-2 projects is to generate patents, pilot plants, proven technologies, software, certified methodologies, processes, and specialized maps and databases. These outcomes are anticipated to have an immediate and positive impact on Nigerian farmers, miners, and MSME operators.
Resulting technologies from these collaborations will be transferred and adapted in Nigeria through NASENI and other research institutions, as well as private companies.
During the event, messages of goodwill were conveyed by key figures including the Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji; Chairman, Senate Committee on NASENI, Chief Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi; Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Alhaji Aminu Iya Abbas; and Chairman, House Committee on NASENI, Honourable Taofiq A. Abimbola. These messages reassured NASENI of legislative support and collaborative partnerships for enhanced productivity.
In a related development, NASENI signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for a production license to establish Coal-based fertilizers in Nigeria with PT Saputra Global Harvest. The agreement covers crucial aspects such as machinery and equipment supply, capacity development through training Nigerian personnel, and licensing that grants Nigeria permission to produce coal-based fertilizer according to Saputra’s established quality standards. This agreement builds upon the initial MoU signed in September 2022, fortifying the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Indonesia, and supporting the development of Nigeria’s agricultural sector in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
