Vice President Kashim Shettima (centre), Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Khalil Suleiman Halilu and state governors endorsing NASENI’s Solar Irrigation System during 152nd meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has secured a major boost as the National Economic Council (NEC) approved the deployment of its solar-powered irrigation pumps for farmers across Nigeria ahead of the 2025 dry-season farming cycle.
The endorsement, reached at NEC’s 152nd meeting held Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, highlights the Council’s confidence in NASENI’s capacity to deliver homegrown, sustainable technologies that directly address Nigeria’s food security challenges.
For years, many farmers have relied on costly, fuel-powered irrigation systems, raising production expenses and limiting yields. NASENI’s innovation, built on its mandate of Creation, Collaboration, and Commercialization (3Cs), offers an affordable, energy-efficient alternative that promises to cut costs, boost productivity, and improve livelihoods in rural communities.
Speaking on the Council’s decision, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NASENI, said:
“This is more than an endorsement, it is a vote of confidence in NASENI’s mission to provide sustainable, locally driven solutions for Nigeria. With the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and NEC, we are ensuring that farmers spend less, produce more, and contribute to securing our nation’s food supply. Together, we are building resilience, driving industrialization, and unlocking new possibilities for Nigeria’s agricultural sector.”
To fast-track the rollout, NEC directed the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, to design funding modalities that will enable the immediate mass production and distribution of the pumps.
This decision not only strengthens NASENI’s role as a key driver of the #RenewedHope Agenda but also signals a new era of technology-led farming, where innovation and sustainability converge to deliver prosperity for millions of Nigerians.
