Nigeria Aims for Leadership in Global Sustainability, Says NASENI CEO

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Khalil Suleiman Halilu, emphasized Nigeria’s ambition to position itself as a leader in global sustainability and innovation. Halilu made these remarks during his keynote address titled “Nigeria at the Heart of Global Sustainability” at the 2025 World Association of Young Scientists (WAYS) Conference on October 26 in Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China.

During his address, Halilu highlighted the increasing collaboration between the Nigerian government and the private sector, which he believes is essential for transforming policy ideas into actionable results. “The bridge between government and private sector is becoming stronger, turning policy into practical outcomes,” he stated. He illustrated this synergy by asserting, “This is what progress looks like: policy meets innovation, innovation meets people, and people meet opportunity.”

Halilu pointed out Nigeria’s emerging leadership in key sectors such as clean technology, renewable energy, and green manufacturing. He attributed this growth to the creativity and energy of the country’s young population. “Young Nigerians, your ideas, your energy, and your innovation have a place at the global table. The world is watching what we build next. Let us move together,” he urged the audience.

The NASENI CEO reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to the domestication of global technology, stressing the need for innovations to be tailored to Nigeria’s specific circumstances and needs. “It is not enough to import technology. We must adapt it. Domestication is how we make global innovation work for us in Nigeria,” he asserted.

In a significant announcement, Halilu revealed an upcoming initiative by NASENI called ZeCo, set to launch in 2026. This program will concentrate on clean mobility, renewable energy systems, and sustainable manufacturing, aligning with Nigeria’s ambition to emerge as a hub for green innovation and solutions within a circular economy. “Nigeria’s journey to Net Zero is not just a national agenda. It is a global invitation to collaborate, to co-create, and to build a future that works for everyone,” he concluded.

Halilu’s statements reflect a broader vision for Nigeria’s role in addressing global sustainability challenges, emphasizing innovation and collaboration as key drivers for future progress. As the world increasingly focuses on environmental issues and sustainable practices, Nigeria aims to ensure that its contributions are recognized on an international scale.