The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Khalil Suleiman Halilu, has been honored as the Young African Leader of the Year, highlighting Nigeria's rising clout in driving innovation and development across the continent.
This accolade was bestowed by the African Leadership Magazine during its Persons of the Year event held in Accra, Ghana. The selection process was intense, featuring editorial reviews and a public voting segment across the continent. Halilu garnered the most votes in his category, emphasizing the widespread acknowledgment of his leadership and the impactful changes implemented at NASENI.
The event saw the participation of prominent African figures, including former presidents Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania and John Kufuor of Ghana, illustrating the importance of leadership in steering Africa's developmental path.
Halilu's recognition comes in the wake of comprehensive reforms initiated at NASENI since his appointment in 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aimed at propelling Nigeria's domestic manufacturing and innovation agenda. Under his guidance, the agency has transformed strategically to better connect research outcomes with actual industrial production.
During the ceremony, themed "Leadership for a New Africa: Forging Our Peace, Owning Our Narrative," Halilu emphasized that Africa's prosperity should be founded on its production and industrial capabilities rather than relying on external sources.
"At NASENI, our objective is explicit — to transition Nigeria from mere consumption to active creation," he articulated. Halilu elaborated that the agency has pivoted towards three vital shifts: “From Research to Products; From Obscurity to National Significance; and From Agency to Innovation Platform.”
He noted that these changes have started yielding positive outcomes in critical sectors, including local clean energy initiatives, mechanized farming, and coal-to-fertilizer technologies designed to enhance food security. Furthermore, NASENI is heavily investing in innovation initiatives tailored for youth and women, such as Innovate Naija, DELT-Her, SheFly, and FutureMakers, supporting an inclusive growth strategy in industrial fields.
Halilu anchored these initiatives on the agency's core principles: Creation, Collaboration, and Commercialisation, asserting that productivity is essential for ensuring lasting peace and development on the continent.
"True peace in Africa extends beyond mere security. It embodies opportunity, jobs, and production, with the youth actively involved in building their future rather than waiting passively," he remarked.
Drawing from his previous statements at the West African Economic Summit, Halilu reiterated that Africa's policy aspirations alone will not lead to transformation without a supported industrial framework. "Without producing what we consume, we lose control of our future," he added.
He argued that Africa must internally shape its development through local solutions and bolster regional value chains, especially via initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
"Owning our narrative means nurturing African solutions, placing faith in African engineers, and fortifying regional value chains," he continued.
The NASENI leader also expressed his vision of making the agency a hub for technology transfer and industrial partnerships within Africa, particularly in sectors like clean energy production, agricultural technology, and engineering infrastructure.
"The future of the New Africa must focus on tangible outputs rather than unrealized potential; it should be characterized by factories rather than dependency on imports, actions rather than excuses," he concluded. This continental acknowledgment adds to the accolades Halilu and NASENI have recently received on a national level.
The agency was honored as the Environmental Impact Organisation of the Year by Leadership Newspaper, while Halilu was recognized with a distinction for Outstanding Service in Innovation and Reforms by New Telegraph Newspaper.
Observers believe the recognition in Accra not only validates Halilu's leadership but also signifies a broader movement toward self-sufficient solutions and industrial independence in the narrative surrounding Africa's development.
As the continent continues to face challenges related to economic diversification and job creation, participants at the event agreed that a style of leadership focused on innovation, execution, and productivity will be vital for shaping Africa's future.
For Halilu, the message is both urgent and clear: “The future is not waiting for us; it is being constructed by us.”
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