The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI, Khalil Halilu, has said that Africa's transformation must be anchored on production, innovation, and industrial capability.
He made this remark while being named Young African Leader of the Year by African Leadership Magazine at its Persons of the Year ceremony held recently in Accra, Ghana.
Halilu clinched the continental honour after a rigorous multi-stage selection process. According to the organisers, nominees were first shortlisted by the magazine's editorial board based on measurable impact, leadership record, policy influence, and institutional reforms across Africa. This was followed by a continent-wide public e-voting exercise, where Africans across several countries cast votes in various categories. Halilu emerged winner in his category after securing the highest number of votes.
The award recognises what the organisers described as Halilu's industrial and institutional transformation of NASENI since his appointment in 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to drive Nigeria's local manufacturing and homegrown innovation agenda. The ceremony attracted prominent African leaders, including former President of Tanzania, Jakaya Kikwete; Prime Minister of Lesotho, Samuel Matekane; former President of Ghana, John Kufuor; Vice President of Angola, Esperança da Costa; and Sierra Leone's Minister of Information and Civic Education, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura.
Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines
Speaking on the theme, "Leadership for a New Africa: Forging Our Peace, Owning Our Narrative," Halilu emphasised that sustainable transformation requires more than policy ambition.
"At NASENI, our mandate is clear; move Nigeria from consumption to creation," he said.
Since assuming office, Halilu has repositioned the agency "from research to products, from unknown to national relevance, and from agency to innovation platform." Under his leadership, NASENI has advanced initiatives in clean energy localisation, mechanised agriculture, coal-to-fertiliser technology for food security, and youth-focused innovation programmes such as Innovate Naija, DELT-Her, Shefly, and FutureMakers. The agency has also supported women-in-engineering initiatives and decentralised manufacturing, guided by its 3Cs operating principles of Creation, Collaboration, and Commercialisation.
Referencing his remarks at the West African Economic Summit in June 2025, Halilu reiterated that Africa's progress depends on industrial capacity rather than policy statements alone. "If we do not produce what we consume, we cannot control our future," he stated.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
