By Nkechi Eze
In a bold move to deepen Nigeria’s self-reliance in defence technology and aerospace development, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) have signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand indigenous research, innovation, and production capacity.
The renewed agreement was signed on Thursday, July 25, 2025, during a working visit by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, to the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr Khalil Suleiman Halilu, at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the new MoU builds on an already fruitful relationship between the two institutions and reflects a shared vision for a technologically sovereign Nigeria. The occasion also served as a platform for both agencies to chart new strategic directions and deepen institutional synergy in the areas of aerospace, engineering, and defence innovation.
Speaking at the event, Air Marshal Abubakar commended NASENI’s leadership under Mr Halilu, describing the agency as “a beacon of hope for technological advancement in Nigeria.” He said, “We recognise that technological self-reliance is the bedrock of a strong and responsive Air Force. It is therefore important that both institutions work closely together to advance our mutual interests in research, innovation, and national security.”
The Air Chief went on to highlight some of the gains recorded through the collaboration, including NASENI’s vital role in the ongoing development of Nigeria’s indigenous C-5 aircraft rocket. “I am particularly pleased to highlight NASENI’s commendable role in the rocket project. The Agency has successfully conducted material analysis and is set to manufacture some parts, an achievement that underscores the value of our collaboration,” he stated.
He also pointed to the establishment of the NASENI North-West Technology Innovation Hub located within the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in Kaduna as a concrete example of successful collaboration between the two institutions. In a bid to further consolidate gains, the CAS invited NASENI to consider becoming co-owners of the C-5 Rocket Project, saying such a move would be in the overriding national interest.
Commenting on the content of the renewed agreement, Air Marshal Abubakar said the new MoU contains “more refined provisions that will ensure seamless, structured, and result-driven cooperation.” He noted that the agreement encompasses joint research and development, human capacity building, local production of aerospace components, and strategic co-development of defence technologies. “This renewed partnership aligns perfectly with the Presidential priority on innovation, defence self-reliance, and indigenous capacity development, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda for a more secure and prosperous Nigeria,” he added.
In his response, NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman, Mr Khalil Halilu, affirmed the Agency’s strong commitment to the renewed partnership. “We are not just ready, we are prepared to co-develop technologies that will support NAF’s operations and industrial capacity,” he said. “Together, we can move from importation to innovation, and from consumption to creation.”
The renewed MoU marks a milestone in Nigeria’s quest for homegrown technological capability in the defence and aerospace sectors, while reinforcing the commitment of both NAF and NASENI to harness science, engineering, and innovation as enablers of national security and sustainable development.
