The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), has officially begun the construction of the Sustainable & Emerging Technologies Institute (SETI) in Kano State, marking a significant step in the country’s technological growth.
The ground-breaking ceremony, which took place on Friday at the Bayero University Kano (BUK) New Campus, signals the government’s commitment to fostering innovation and driving economic growth through technological advancements.
The institute will be located on a 30-hectare plot of land donated by BUK. According to NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO), Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, the facility will feature advanced infrastructure, including dedicated innovation hubs for Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, and other emerging technologies, all supported by a reliable power supply.
Halilu emphasised the importance of innovation and collaboration in driving Nigeria’s socio-economic development. He pointed out that SETI is designed to harness the potential of the country’s youth, who are already making significant contributions to the global economy through groundbreaking innovations.
He further explained that SETI is in line with NASENI’s principles of Collaboration, Creation, and Commercialisation (the 3Cs), which form the foundation of the agency’s mission to industrialise Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda. The institute is expected to nurture the next generation of technologists, innovators, and entrepreneurs, positioning them to make an impact both in Nigeria and globally.
The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, who officiated at the ceremony, described the project as a key initiative for positioning Nigeria on the global map of innovation and industrialisation. Nnaji referred to SETI as an “ace project” that would drive Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of BUK, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, praised the project as a strategic initiative that will unite government, academia, and industry—the pillars of sustainable economic growth. He noted that the launch of SETI marks a new phase in Nigeria’s efforts to achieve sustainable development, create jobs for young people, and advance its technological capabilities.
Professor Abbas also expressed BUK’s excitement in hosting the institute, viewing it as a vital step forward in Nigeria’s pursuit of industrialisation and technological innovation. The groundbreaking of SETI is expected to be a turning point in the country’s journey toward a more advanced, innovative, and globally competitive economy.
