The federal government, through the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), and the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration on innovation, technology development, and the commercialisation of research outputs.
The agreement was signed at NASENI’s headquarters and is aimed at moving research beyond academic publications into practical, real world applications that can support national development and industry needs across sectors.
Speaking at the signing, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Khalil Halilu, described the partnership as a step toward fostering institutional collaboration with clear and measurable impact.
In a statement on Monday, NASENI’s Director of Information, New Media and Protocol, Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, said the agency remains committed to partnerships that translate research findings into practical, real world solutions for society.
“NASENI is focused on innovation that targets the right audience and produces tangible outcomes. Our Innovation Hub ensures promising ideas are nurtured, supported, and scaled into usable technologies that contribute to national development,” Halilu said.
He also stressed the importance of collaboration with universities and research institutions to bridge the long standing gap between academia and industry.
“This is your home, and we look forward to doing a lot of collaborations together,” he added.
Responding, AUST President, Peter Onwualu, highlighted the long standing relationship between both institutions, recalling earlier collaborations, postgraduate training programmes, and joint initiatives that benefited NASENI staff and researchers.
Onwualu said the MoU would help address the persistent challenge of limited research commercialisation in Nigeria.
“We are changing the narrative from research done solely for academic promotion to research that ends in products, innovation, and real value,” he said, citing ongoing agro waste conversion projects being implemented under NASENI’s Delta-2 programme.
Both institutions agreed to deepen cooperation, while AUST invited NASENI to its April innovation conference in Abuja.
