AUST, NASENI Renew Long Lasting Innovation Collaboration
Abuja, Nigeria - Friday, January 23, 2025
The African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), through the two institutions innovation hubs have renewed their long lasting partnerships in thereby marking a major step towards deepening collaboration in innovation, skills development, and technology-driven education.
Welcoming the AUST team, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, congratulated the AUST President for the numerous innovations he had introduced since his assumption of Office as the President.
He expressed his confidence in the partnership existing between NASENI and AUST maintaining that such would foster a productive partnership that would empower young innovators and researchers.
In his response, the President of AUST, Engr. Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, FAS, thanked the NASENI CEO and his team for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation.
He described the long existing collaboration between AUST and NASENI as unique as the two organizations through this partnership have bridged the wall between the industry and the academia.
Prof. Onwualu reiterated the commitment of AUST to see to the full implementation of the partnership agreement.
The AUST President signed the MoU on behalf of the university while the EVC/CEO of NASENI signed on behalf of his organization thereby sealing the partnership agreement.
The newly signed MoU is designed to expand students’ access to advanced innovation facilities and hands-on skills training, while strengthening cooperation between both institutions’ innovation and incubation hubs.
Through the partnership, students of the African University of Science and Technology will benefit from industrial training opportunities, access to state-of-the-art technological infrastructure, participation in innovation hackathons, and practical exposure to real-world product design and manufacturing processes.
In addition, outstanding young innovators from across Nigeria who participate in NASENI-led innovation programmes may be offered scholarships to further their studies at AUST, particularly in innovation-focused and technology-driven disciplines.
The AUST President was accompanied to the signing ceremony by Mr. Kingsley Ogwudu, Senior Hub Manager; Mrs. Gloria Ajegbu, Dr. Mike Amonye, and Ms. Blessing Iweha.
The partnership reflects AUST’s continued commitment to producing industry-ready graduates, promoting entrepreneurship, and translating research outputs into market-ready solutions, while aligning with NASENI’s mandate to drive indigenous technology development and innovation in Nigeria.
The MoU is expected to open new pathways for collaborative research, student innovation, and the commercialization of ideas, further positioning both institutions as key players in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.