NAF, NASENI Seal Strategic Deal to Boost Indigenous Innovation in Defence and Aerospace

In a bold move to strengthen Nigeria’s defence capabilities and drive homegrown technological advancement, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) have renewed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on indigenous research, development, and innovation.

The renewed agreement was signed on 25 July 2025, during a working visit by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, to the NASENI Headquarters in Abuja. He was received by the Agency’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Air Marshal Abubakar described the MoU as a more refined and forward-looking framework designed to enhance synergy between the two institutions. “It introduces more refined provisions that will ensure seamless, structured, and result-driven cooperation,” the CAS said. “This covers joint research and development, human capacity building, local production of aerospace components, and strategic co-development of defence technologies.”

The renewed partnership, he noted, is in full alignment with the presidential priority on innovation, self-reliance in defence production, and indigenous capacity development, as envisioned in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “This is about building a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Nigeria through technology,” he added.

In his remarks, Mr. Khalil Halilu reaffirmed NASENI’s unwavering readiness to deliver on the expectations of the collaboration. “We are not just ready—we are prepared to co-develop technologies that will support NAF’s operations and boost national industrial capacity,” he said. “Together, we can move from importation to innovation, and from consumption to creation.”

The agreement marks a significant step forward in Nigeria’s journey toward technological sovereignty in the defence and aerospace sectors. It also reflects the shared commitment of both institutions to use science, engineering, and innovation as strategic tools for national strength, security, and sustainable development.

With this renewed MoU, the NAF and NASENI are poised to deepen their collaboration, unlocking new frontiers in local content development and setting a strong example of how inter-agency cooperation can drive national transformation.