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 aimed at strengthening innovation, technology development, and the commercialisation of research outputs.
The agreement was signed at NASENI headquarters in Abuja by the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, alongside the leadership of AUST.
Halilu described the engagement as a positive step towards deepening institutional collaboration that delivers practical impact. He said the Agency remains focused on partnerships that move research beyond publications into real-world solutions.
“NASENI is focused on innovation that targets the right audience and produces tangible outcomes. Our Innovation Hub was established to ensure that promising ideas are nurtured, supported, and scaled into usable technologies that contribute to national development,” he said.
He further reaffirmed NASENI’s openness to working closely with universities and research institutions, stressing that collaboration is critical to bridging the gap between academia and industry. “This is your home, and we look forward to doing a lot of collaborations together,” Halilu added.
Responding, the President of the African University of Science and Technology, Prof. Peter Azikiwe Onwualu, highlighted the long-standing relationship between both institutions, recalling previous collaborations, postgraduate training programmes, and joint initiatives that had benefited NASENI staff and researchers.
The AUST delegation emphasised the need to renew and expand cooperation in line with emerging innovation priorities. Onwualu explained that the AUST Inspire Innovation Hub was created to address the persistent challenge of limited research commercialisation.
“We are changing the narrative from research done solely for academic promotion to research that ends in products, innovation, and real value,” he stated, citing ongoing agro-waste conversion projects supported under NASENI’s Delta-2 programme.
Both institutions agreed to deepen cooperation in innovation, technology transfer, and human capital development. AUST also invited NASENI to participate in its upcoming international conference on innovation scheduled for April, where NASENI’s leadership is expected to be recognised for contributions to advancing research commercialisation and innovation in Nigeria within the country.
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