The Federal Government has urged Nigerians to embrace locally developed technologies, saying increased patronage of indigenous innovations would boost domestic manufacturing, create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, made the call on Saturday during the distribution of solar home systems, clean cooking stoves and household support packs to 330 residents of Ondo State.
The event took place in Akure, the state capital.
Halilu said the intervention was part of efforts to translate research and technological innovations into practical solutions capable of improving living conditions and creating economic opportunities.
He explained that the solar home systems would provide electricity for household lighting, enable children to study at night and support small businesses.
He added that the clean cooking stoves would provide more efficient cooking alternatives and reduce exposure to harmful smoke when properly used.
The NASENI boss said greater acceptance of locally manufactured products would strengthen domestic industries and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported technologies.
He said, “This is to promote locally produced items which brings about employment and also to have something good for our communities.
“Our mandate finds its fullest meaning when technologies we develop and promote help people solve real problems, become more productive and improve their standards of living.”
Halilu disclosed that the NASENI Sustainable Empowerment Programme had reached more than 10 states across the six geopolitical zones.
He said 330 men and women in Ondo State had benefited from the latest intervention.
According to him, the programme is designed to take technological innovations beyond research laboratories and make them accessible to ordinary Nigerians, particularly households and small business owners.
Also speaking, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the beneficiaries would receive additional financial support to establish or expand their micro-businesses.
Olawande stressed that the intervention was not politically motivated but aimed at bringing technology-driven solutions and economic opportunities closer to grassroots communities.
He said the additional support would help beneficiaries turn the intervention into sustainable sources of livelihood.
The minister urged beneficiaries to make productive use of the items and support provided to improve their economic circumstances.
### Alternative hard-hitting headlines
* FG Targets Job Creation With Locally Made Technologies
* FG Distributes Solar Systems, Stoves To 330 Ondo Residents
* NASENI Empowers 330 Ondo Residents With Solar Systems
* FG Pushes Local Technology To Boost Economic Growth
* NASENI: Local Technology Can Drive Jobs, Economic Growth
* FG Woos Nigerians To Embrace Indigenous Technology
* NASENI Takes Solar Power, Clean Stoves To Ondo Residents
* FG Links Indigenous Technology To Job Creation
* 330 Ondo Residents Get Solar Systems, Cooking Stoves
* FG Backs Local Innovations To Create Jobs, Wealth
Editorial note: The paragraph mentioning Governor Yusuf and Abejide’s empowerment programme appears unrelated to the NASENI event. It has been excluded to avoid mixing separate reports. The supplied material also does not contain a direct quotation from the governor or the minister beyond their reported remarks, so no additional quotations have been invented.
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