By Hillary Asemota
Today Friday, 14th February, 2025 marks a significant milestone in Federal Government efforts to secure the socio-economic wellbeing of the future generation, as the ground was opened for commencement of construction of the Sustainable and Emerging Technologies Institute (SETI) in Kano, Kano State.
The landmark initiative is coming under the auspices of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) with direct supervision from the Presidency.
The Executive Vice Chaiman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Halilu, during the ground-breaking ceremony held at the Bayero University Kano (BUK) new campus, said the new institute sits on 30 hectares of the BUK land.
The building complex according to him, will feature state-of-the-art facilities, including innovation hubs dedicated to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other cutting-edge technologies, complemented by reliable power supply.
“NASENI will fully build and equip and support the new Institute.” said the EVC/CEO.
The future of socio-economic development for nations rests on human creativity, innovation and cooperation, Artificial intelligence (AI) Robotics, IoTs, Big Data and other Emerging Technologies.
Halilu, said the establishment of SETI in the country is to rapidly respond to the resilience and waves of young people globally revolutionizing world economies with unprecedented emergence of socio-economic frontiers as by-products of innovations and ingenuities of these young minds.
“We in NASENI are firm believers in the potential of young Nigerians to be the prime catalysts of the type of transformation that Nigeria requires.
“And we will do everything within our powers to support them to fulfil this important responsibility.
“We are gathered here today to kickstart a project that will transform the lives and careers of future generations of young Nigerians. The Sustainable & Emerging Technologies Institute (SETI), located at BUK by NASENI.
“This is very much in line with our operating principles of 3Cs: Collaboration, Creation, and Commercialization. These 3Cs are the principles that passionately drive us and guide the work that we do to ensure the industrialization of Nigeria in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
“SETI will produce innovators, technologists, entrepreneurs who will make their mark not just in Nigeria but around the world. “I’m eagerly looking forward to the day, not too long from now, when the Institute’s first set of beneficiaries will astonish the world with what they’re capable of accomplishing.
“These stories will put not just BUK on the global innovation map, but also Kano State and the entire Nigeria. ” Halilu, said.
While carrying out the symbolic foundation laying ceremony of the institute as special guest of honour, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, described the project as not only laudable but NASENI’s another way of fast-tracking the placing of Nigeria on the global map of innovation and industrialization.
The Minister called the project an “ace project” and a pointer to secure a veritable socio-economic development for the nation.
In his goodwill message, the Vice Chancellor of BUK, Prof. Sagir Adamu Abbas, described the new institute as a vehicle for bringing together the three critical tripods for economic and sustainable development for nations, that is, the government, academia and industry.
He acknowledged the ground-breaking event as the beginning of Nigeria’s journey in pursuit of sustainable development, massive job creation opportunities for the youths, and that the BUK was delighted to be host to such laudable initiative and momentum.
There is also, in addition to SETI, a second NASENI project for BUK is an Agri-preneurship Training Hub, that will be equipped with modern greenhouses, and facilities for Soil-less Farming, and Tissue Culture; occupying 10 hectares of land at the Old Campus.
These projects collectively represent what NASENI stands for, that is, building capacity, advancing industrialization, supporting economic growth and prosperity.
NASENI appreciates the Government and people of Kano State, and the Vice Chancellor, management and students of Bayero University Kano (BUK), for all the support, expressing gratitude to the Minister for gracing the occasion.
NASENI thanked members of the National Assembly for their support, especially the NASENI oversight Committees in both chambers. And of course, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has given NASENI the opportunity to serve Nigeria through his unwavering demonstration of commitment to the success of the Agency.
