*The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure commences the construction of the Sustainable & Emerging Technologies Institute, in Kano, noting the facility was designed to rapidly respond to the waves of young people revolutionising world economies, and producing innovators, technologists, entrepreneurs, who will make their marks in Nigeria and worldwide

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

The Federal Government of Nigeria Friday, 14th February 2025, commenced the construction of the Sustainable & Emerging Technologies Institute (SETI), under the aegis of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), The Presidency.

NASENI said the ground-breaking of SETI marked a significant milestone in the government’s efforts at securing the socio-economic wellbeing of the future generation of Nigerians.

The ceremony held on the Bayero University Kano (BUK) New Campus.

The agency disclosed Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, Executive Vice-Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NASENI, at the event said the new institute would sit on 30 hectares of the BUK land to be built, featuring state-of-the-art facilities.

Halilu stated the facilities include innovation hubs devoted to Artificial Intelligence (AI), and other cutting-edge technologies, complemented by reliable power supply.

Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, Director of Information at NASENI, stated Halilu also asserted: 鈥淣ASENI will fully build and equip and support the new Institute.”

The future of socio-economic development for nations rests on human creativity, innovation and cooperation, Artificial Intelligence, and Robotics among others.

Halilu emphasised that the establishment of SETI in Nigeria is to rapidly respond to the waves of young people globally revolutionising world economies with unprecedented emergence of socio-economic frontiers as by-products of innovations and ingenuities of these young minds.

He noted: “We in NASENI are firm believers in the potential of young Nigerians to be the prime catalysts of the type of transformation that Nigeria requires.

“And we will do everything within our powers to support them to fulfil this important responsibility.鈥�

The Executive Vice-Chairman said: 鈥淲e are gathered here today to kickstart a project that will transform the lives and careers of future generations of young Nigerians.

“The Sustainable & Emerging Technologies Institute (SETI), is located at the Bayero University Kano (BUK) by NASENI.”

He equally averred: “This is very much in line with our operating principles that we call our 3Cs: Collaboration, Creation, and Commercialisation.

“These 3Cs are the principles that passionately drive us and guide the work that we do to ensure the industrialisation of Nigeria in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.鈥�

NASENI said SETI would produce innovators, technologists, entrepreneurs who will make their mark not just in Nigeria but around the world.

Halilu also stated: 鈥淚鈥檓 eagerly looking forward to the day, not too long from now, when the Institute鈥檚 first set of beneficiaries will astonish the world with what they鈥檙e capable of accomplishing.

“These stories will put not just BUK on the global innovation map, but also Kano State and the entire Nigeria.鈥�

Minister: SETI project laudable for innovation, industrialisation

Performing the symbolic foundation laying ceremony of the institute as Special Guest of Honour, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, described the project as not only laudable but NASENI鈥檚 another way of fast-tracking the placing of Nigeria on the global map of innovation and industrialisation.

Chief Nnaji called the project an 鈥渁ce project鈥� and pointer to secure a veritable socio-economic development for the country.

In his goodwill message, Prof. Sagir Adamu Abbas, Vice-Chancellor of BUK,聽 described the new institute as a vehicle for bringing together the three critical tripods for economic and sustainable development for nations, that is, the government, academia and industry.

Prof. Abbas described the ground-breaking event as the beginning of Nigeria鈥檚 journey in pursuit of sustainable development, massive job creation opportunities for the youths, and that the BUK was delighted to be host to such laudable initiative and momentum.

There is also, in addition to SETI, a second NASENI project for BUK is an Agri-preneurship Training Hub, that will be equipped with modern greenhouses, and facilities for Soil-less Farming, and Tissue Culture; occupying 10 hectares of land at the Old Campus.

According to NASENI, these projects collectively represent what NASENI stands for, that is, building capacity, advancing industrialisation, supporting economic growth and prosperity.

NASENI appreciates the Government and people of Kano State, and the Vice-Chancellor, Management and students of Bayero University Kano, for all the support.

Special gratitude goes to the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, the Special Guest of Honour.

NASENI thanked members of the National Assembly for their support, especially the NASENI oversight Committees in both chambers.

The agency lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has given NASENI the opportunity to serve Nigeria through his unwavering demonstration of commitment to the success of the agency.

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