Nigeria’s quest for technological self-reliance reached a pivotal milestone this week as the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) revealed that its inaugural domestically developed helicopter is in the final stages of assembly and poised for its maiden test flight. Dubbed the “Nigerian Chopper,” the aircraft represents a leap forward in the nation’s aerospace ambitions, officials announced during a high-profile industry engagement in Kaduna.
Engineer Kareem Aduagba, Project Manager at NASENI’s Aeronautics and Air Vehicle Development Institute, shared updates at the agency’s Focus Group Engagement, a forum designed to rally stakeholders around Nigeria’s industrial advancement. The event convened inventors, manufacturers, policymakers, and academics to strategize on scaling local innovation and reducing dependency on foreign technology.
“Our approach isn’t about reinventing the wheel but building on global knowledge to create tailored solutions,” Aduagba explained. He detailed NASENI’s dual strategy: developing original projects like the Nigerian Chopper and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from scratch, while also assembling and retrofitting aircraft components imported in Semi Knock Down (SKD) and Complete Knock Down (CKD) kits. “Through scientific ingenuity, we’re adapting these systems to meet local needs. The helicopter’s test flight—a defining moment—is imminent,” he added.
Collaboration and Commercialization Take Center Stage
The Kaduna dialogue underscored NASENI’s intensified push to transform prototypes into market-ready solutions under the leadership of Executive Vice Chairman Khalil Suleman Halilu. Engineer Abdulfatai Ambali, Head of Manufacturing Services at NASENI’s Hydraulic Equipment Development Institute in Kano, highlighted the agency’s refreshed mandate. “Awareness and community impact are now priorities,” he said. “Our innovations, already operational across sectors, aim to displace costly imports and prove Nigeria’s engineering prowess.”
Echoing this sentiment, program facilitator Saleh Kwaru urged citizens to rally behind local industries. “Patronizing homegrown products isn’t just patriotic—it’s economic survival. Overreliance on foreign goods drains our currency and stifles innovation,” Kwaru asserted.
Quality and Jobs: SMEDAN Backs NASENI’s Vision
Yusuf Suleman, Acting Zonal Coordinator for the North West Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN), praised the forum for addressing persistent hurdles like product quality and finishing. “Adopting modern tech is non-negotiable for global competitiveness,” he noted. “Collaborations like SMEDAN-NASENI partnerships will unlock job opportunities and ensure Nigeria’s industrial growth is both sustainable and inclusive.”
As the event concluded, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to positioning Nigerian-made goods as catalysts for economic transformation—with the Nigerian Chopper symbolizing the nation’s soaring aspirations.