The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has said that engineering work on the first Made-in-Nigeria helicopter is nearing completion, adding that the agency will soon fly the Nigerian chopper.
The Project Manager of NASENI’s Aeronautics and Air Vehicle Development Institute, Kaduna, Kareem Aduagba, disclosed this during a Focus Group Engagement in Kaduna organized by NASENI in Kaduna on Wednesday.
The Focus Group Engagement, which had in attendance inventors and manufacturers drawn from the academia and private sectors in Kaduna, was organized by NASENI to promote local manufacturing, innovation, and the adoption of Made in Nigeria products.
The Forum brought together government officials, industry leaders, and innovators to discuss policies that will drive Nigeria’s industrial and technological growth.
According to Aduagba, the agency is building on existing technology rather than reinventing the wheel.
He further explained that the agency is using science and engineering knowledge to develop semi-knockdown (SKD) and complete knockdown (CKD) models.
“What we are doing now is not to reinvent the wheel. We had one of our projects being started from the first principle that we are working on, both the Made in Nigeria helicopter and some unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).
“We have some which we bought over from developed countries, which we had in Semi Knock Down (SKD) and some Complete Knock Down (CKD). So, we are now making use of science and engineering knowledge to work on the SKD and the CKD,” Aduagba said.
The project is a significant step towards promoting local manufacturing, innovation, and the adoption of made-in-Nigeria products.
According to Aduagba, the agency is working tirelessly to ensure that the made-in-Nigeria helicopter is completed soon.
“Very soon, we are going to do the first test. Everything is nearing completion now and very soon, we will fly the first made-in-Nigeria helicopter,” he said.
Also speaking, Engr. Abdulfatai Ambali, Head of the Manufacturing Services Department at the Hydraulic Equipment Development Institute, Kano (under NASENI), said NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman, Khalil Suleman Halilu, has prioritized awareness, stakeholder engagement, and community impact, emphasizing the agency’s role in national development.
“Many Nigerians are not aware of NASENI and its activities. However, with the current leadership, the Agency is prioritizing awareness, stakeholder engagement, and community impact,” said
Ambali emphasized the agency’s renewed focus on commercialization, collaboration, and creation under its current leadership.
“NASENI is working to develop homegrown technology to reduce the country’s over-reliance on foreign products, with many innovative solutions already deployed across various sectors,” he said.
The facilitator of the program, Saleh Kwaru, urged Nigerians to support local industries, highlighting the importance of national development through patronizing homegrown products.
“We must look inward and leverage our resources. Constantly relying on foreign products weakens our economy,” Saleh Kwaru said.
Besides, Yusuf Suleman, Acting Zonal Coordinator for the North West Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), commended the event for addressing challenges hindering locally made products, such as quality and finishing.
“Innovation and modern technology are key to improving the acceptance of Nigerian products. This kind of engagement will help tackle production challenges and create more job opportunities,” Suleman said.
He added that SMEDAN and NASENI share common objectives, including marketing, technological innovation, and job creation, aligning their efforts for sustainable industrial growth.
“SMEDAN and NASENI are working together to promote local manufacturing, innovation, and the adoption of made-in-Nigeria products,” he added.
The Forum emphasized the need for policy reforms, innovation, and public awareness to strengthen Nigeria’s manufacturing sector and boost local production competitiveness.
As Nigeria prepares to take to the skies with its first made-in-Nigeria helicopter, the country is poised to make significant strides in promoting local manufacturing, innovation, and national development.
