The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen collaboration on indigenous technology development, particularly in defense, aerospace, and infrastructure.

The event, which took place at NASENI Headquarters in Idu Industrial Layout, Abuja on 25th July 2025, was marked by a high-level visit led by the Chief of Air staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar alongside senior officers from the Nigerian Airforce. The team was received by the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, and his management team.

In his keynote remarks, the Air Marshal commended NASENI for its transformative work under Mr. Halilu’s leadership, particularly in reverse engineering, local manufacturing of engineering components, and consistent support to the Nigerian Air Force.

He specifically acknowledged NASENI’s contribution to the development of the C5 Rocket Project, highlighting the agency’s role in producing the rocket bodies and structural components, and in conducting precision material analysis.

He also applauded the establishment of the NASENI Northwest Technology Innovation Hub located at the Air Force Institute of Technology in Kaduna, describing it as a landmark project made possible through land support by NAF.

The Air Marshal noted that, Airforce is seeking greater inclusion in the governance and execution of the hub, given its role as host and technical contributor, also proposing that NASENI formally co-own the C5 Rocket Project, while urging the agency to continue leading the production of rocket body structures while exploring cost optimizations.

Furthermore, he invited NASENI to enroll its young researchers in newly developed R&D training modules at its Research and Development Institute. The request extends to a new area of partnership — capacity building in Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining for Air Force technical personnel at NASENI’s Centre of Excellence.

Responding, NASENI EVC/CEO Mr. Khalil Suleman Halilu reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to the long-standing collaboration with the Air Force, describing it as both professional and personal.

“Our partnership with the Nigerian Air Force is one of our smoothest and most productive,” he said. “We’ve achieved so much together — from reverse-engineering projects to shared innovation hubs — and we are just getting started.”

Mr. Halilu showcased NASENI’s progress in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) development, drone pilot training, asset recovery programs, and its world-class CNC machining infrastructure, inviting the Air Force to take advantage of all available resources and facilities.

He emphasized NASENI’s culture of private sector collaboration as a model for cost-effective implementation while maintaining inclusive access for public institutions such as the Air Force.

Highlighting the signing of the new MoU, Mr. Halilu said the updated agreement is designed to be more structured, result-driven, and aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. It focuses on joint R&D, local manufacturing of aerospace and defense components, human capital development, and knowledge exchange.

“This partnership goes beyond paperwork,” Mr. Halilu noted. “It’s about building the future of Nigeria’s defense and innovation ecosystem together.”

The formal signing of the renewed MoU marked a new chapter in the strategic relationship between both institutions, setting the stage for the activation of joint action plans on the C5 Rocket Project, CNC training, defense manufacturing, and other innovation-driven initiatives.

E-signed

Mr. Olusegun Ayeoyenikan
Director of Information
NASENI
26th July 2025

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TECHDIGEST – The Nigeria Airforce (NAF) and Meta have emerged winners of the ‘2023 Golden World Awards’ (GWA), instituted by the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) for outstanding PR campaigns.

Two PR agencies from Nigeria, the Image Merchants Promotion (IMPR) Limited (IMPR) and AT3 Resources have also been recognized by IPRA for championing the campaigns of NAF and Meta, the owner of Facebook.

The Nigeria Air Force bagged the award under ‘Crisis Management Category’ in partnership with IMPR for providing enablement for independent media reports and third-party news narratives on counter-insurgency operations.

The reports and alternative narratives on the success of counterterrorism, widely used in the media, boosted citizens’ confidence and the morale of the troops.

AT3 Resources, the strategic communications partner of Meta in West Africa, won the award under the ‘Technology Category’, with the multi-pronged communication campaign, “#NoFalseNewsZone” in Nigeria and Ghana respectively.

The campaign was aimed at helping people think critically about the messages they see online before forwarding them to others. It was an innovative, interesting, and engaging campaign to help people understand the consequences of false news and contribute to curbing its spread.

READ ALSO: MSMEs Will Contribute $53b To Nigeria’s Economy If Digitised — NITDA Boss

Image Merchants Promotions Limited,
the publisher of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential has, over the years, bagged African SABRE Awards organized by PRovoke Media, in partnership with African Public Relations Association (APRA) as well as IPRA’s GWA. In 2020 it was declared as the Most Creative PR Agency, globally.

Similarly, AT3, over the span of five years, has embarked on numerous impactful brand and corporate campaigns and has collaborated with many industry stakeholders to achieve great results.

In 2022, the agency collaborated with Brand Africa to celebrate African brands in Nigeria. It won the prestigious Sabre Certificate of Excellence in 2022, the Marketing Edge Award for the Outstanding Young PR Agency of the Year in the same year, and the BrandCom Award for ‘Young Public Relations Agency of the Year’ in 2021.

Speaking on the award, the Managing Director of IMPR, Mr. Yushau Shuaib expressed delight that PR firms in Nigeria are now recognized in the global scene beyond the regional recognition.

“I am delighted that more Nigerian PR firms have grown beyond being local champions in regional PR Power List, by competing outside their cocoon with the very best in the PR world for deserving global recognitions.

“We should continue to strive in ensuring that PR campaigns demonstrate the highest levels of professionalism, creativity, integrity, impact and effectiveness.”

Meanwhile, IPRA’s Secretary General, Philip Sheppard announced a total of 70 winners for 2023 with a number of entries tackling emerging issues such as cryptocurrency, influencer management and virtual reality.

According to him, the GWA jury of experts met in person for the first time since the pandemic at an inspiring session in London’s Institute of Directors in assessing the entries. The jury comprised judges from Austria, Bulgaria, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Saudi Arabia, The Philippines, the USA and the United Kingdom.

“This year we had entries covering multiple subjects and there was a notable demonstration of creativity from all around the world,” explains Philip Sheppard.

“We learnt of stories such as prejudice in Peru, solitary bees in Croatia and tackling fake news in Ukraine.”

The prestigious Grand Prix was also chosen but the judges have been sworn to secrecy. Along with the Global Contribution Award for PR with an objective of meeting one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, the Grand Prix will be announced at the GWA Gala on 20 October in Barcelona.

IPRA, the International Public Relations Association, was established in 1955, and is the leading global network for PR professionals in their personal capacity. IPRA aims to advance trusted communication and the ethical practice of public relations. IPRA is the organiser of public relations’ annual global competition, the Golden World Awards for Excellence (GWA). IPRA’s services enable PR professionals.

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TECHDIGEST – The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Professor Isah Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has condoled with the Publisher of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential, Malam Yushau A. Shuaib, over the recent demise of his father, Imam Abdulhameed Shuaib Agaka.

In a condolence letter he personally signed, Professor Pantami said the venerated and renowned Islamic scholar lived a life worthy of emulation.

He, therefore, prayed to Allah to grant his soul Aljannah Firdaus.

“I write to express my deepest condolence to you over the passing of your beloved father. Indeed, to Allah (SWT) belongs what He takes and to Him belongs what He gives, and there is a set time by Him for everything. I share in grief with you at this moment over this colossal loss.

“I pray to the Almighty Allah to endow you and your family with patience and magnify your reward, make perfect your bereavement, and forgive your dear father. I understand how deep and profound the impact of this loss is to you and your family.” Pantami wrote in the letter.

The Director-General, Bureau of Public Service Reforms, (BPSR), Mr. Dasuki Arabi, in a courtesy visit, also commiserated with the Publisher over the death of celebrated scholar.

Arabi noted that death is an unavoidable journey for all mortals and therefore enjoined Malam Yushau to accept this loss in good faith, while praying the Almighty Allah to forgive his sins and grant him paradise.

Members of BUK 92 Class on Condolence Visit to PRNigeria Publisher, Yushau AS. Shuaib in Abuja.

Similarly, the Controller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCoS), Halliru Nababa, has also condoled with Malam Yushau Shuaib over this irreparable loss.

In a letter addressed to the Publisher, Nababa wrote: “On behalf of myself, my family, Officers and Men of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), I wish to commiserate with you and members of your family over the death of your father, Imam Abdulhameed Shuaib Agaka, PhD.”

He added that: “We are deeply saddened by his demise, owing to his numerous contributions to nation-building as a scholar, religious and community leader.”

Nababa also noted that the late Imam has left behind an enduring legacy by virtue of his teachings and lifestyle, which will continue to impact many lives.

In the same vein, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, also expressed his shock and equally offered his condolence over the demise of Imam Agaka.

The message was contained in a letter transmitted to Mallam Shuaib, which was signed by the NAF Spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, on behalf of the CAS Amao.

The letter reads in part; “The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, and the entire personnel of the Nigerian Air Force received with shock and sadness the news of the demise of your beloved father, late Imam Abdulhameed Agaka.

“We can only imagine how much pain, sorrow and grief his departure has caused you and the family members. However, in situations of this nature, you should allow Almighty Allah to be your strength and comfort.”

Similarly, a delegation of the forum of 1992 Graduate of Bayero University Kano (BUK) paid a condolence visit to the PRNigeria Publisher in Abuja.

It would be recalled that the late Dr Shuaib Agaka, 77, a renowned Islamic scholar with a PhD in Quranic Morphology and Arabic Grammar passed away on Saturday, June 04, 2022, after a brief illness at a medical facility in Ilorin Emirate of Kwara State.

The post Imam Shuaib Agaka: Pantami, BPSR, NCoS, NAF, Others Condole with PRNigeria Publisher appeared first on Tech Digest News.

TECH DIGEST – Four secondary school leavers in Kwara state are gaining attention after they sold their belongings to raise the sum of N3.5 million with which they constructed the working prototype of an aircraft.

In an interview with Punch, the students who identified themselves as Jimoh Abdulfatai, Abdulateef Hanafi, Musa Aliu, and Jamiu Abass were said to be school leavers from the Ilorin West local government of the state. Abdulfatai, who spoke on their behalf, said they initiated the current project in 2017 and showcased it on October 1. “It cost us about N3.5m. We contributed the money.

For example, I had a motorcycle which I used for commercial purposes in Ilorin, I sold it to buy the materials used in building the aircraft,” Abdulfatai said. “Others also had belongings that they sold. We contributed money to make the project a reality. We got materials locally. We got the plate from Surulere in Ilorin, bought pipes and other materials.

“We used a Volkswagen 1200 engine to power the aircraft. It has all the components of a normal aircraft such as propellers, wings, tail, flying gear, etc. Although we have not tested this one, the smaller one we built was tested. “We built a drone with which we made some calculations, so we did not only base the construction on assumption. We did a lot of calculations; we considered balance and weight because it would not move without balance. While he stated that the current prototype was their ninth, Abdulfatai said they had sought to meet with the government by reaching out to politicians, who were skeptical due to the “huge capital investment” needed to fund the project.

He also said they took the prototype to the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) base along Offa Garage Road where they were interviewed on the instruction of the Chief of Air Staff staff after the aircraft had been showcased on national TV. “We went there and the Air Force officers interviewed us. We have not heard anything from the Chief of Air Staff, but they told us that he would send for us,” Addulfatai said.

“We have gone to the government house to book an appointment to see the governor. They advised us to write a letter to book an appointment which we have done. We are still waiting for a reply from the government.”

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