Made-in-Nigeria Helicopter Set to Take Flight Soon — NASENI
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has announced that the engineering work on Nigeria’s first indigenous helicopter is nearing completion, with the metallic bird set to take flight soon.
Engr. Kareem Aduagba, the Project Manager at NASENI’s Aeronautics and Air Vehicle Development Institute in Kaduna, revealed this exciting development during a Focus Group Engagement event held in Kaduna State. The engagement aimed to promote local manufacturing, innovation, and the adoption of Made-in-Nigeria products.
The event was attended by inventors, manufacturers, government officials, industry leaders, and innovators from both the academic and private sectors, all gathered to discuss policies that could drive Nigeria’s industrial and technological growth.
“We are not reinventing the wheel,” Engr. Aduagba emphasized. “Our current project is based on the first principles. We’re working on the Made-in-Nigeria helicopter, as well as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Some of these have been acquired from developed countries, and we’re now applying our science and engineering knowledge to assemble and modify them.”
He added, “We have received both Semi Knock Down (SKD) and Complete Knock Down (CKD) kits, and we’re using local expertise to build on these. Very soon, we will conduct the first test flight of the Made-in-Nigeria helicopter.”
During the event, Engr. Abdulfatai Ambali, Head of the Manufacturing Services Department at the Hydraulic Equipment Development Institute in Kano, a NASENI subsidiary, highlighted the agency’s increasing role in national development under its current leadership. He pointed out that NASENI is now focusing on commercialization, collaboration, and innovation.
Ambali noted, “Many Nigerians are not aware of NASENI and its activities. However, with the leadership of Executive Vice Chairman Khalil Suleiman Halilu, NASENI is prioritizing stakeholder engagement and community impact.”
He further explained that NASENI is actively working to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign products by developing homegrown technologies, with numerous innovative solutions already deployed across various sectors.
Saleh Kwaru, the facilitator of the program, urged Nigerians to support local industries. He stressed that national development hinges on the patronage of homegrown products. “We must look inward and leverage our resources. Constant reliance on foreign products weakens our economy,” he stated.
Yusuf Suleman, the Acting Zonal Coordinator for the North-West Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), also praised the event for addressing key challenges that hinder the acceptance of locally made products, such as quality and finishing. He added that innovation and modern technology are essential for enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian products.
“This engagement will help overcome production challenges and create more job opportunities. SMEDAN and NASENI share common objectives of technological innovation, marketing, and job creation, and we are aligned in our efforts to ensure sustainable industrial growth,” he said.
The event highlighted the importance of policy reforms, innovation, and increased public awareness in strengthening Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, improving local production, and enhancing competitiveness in the global market.
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