AdminThe Federal Government of Nigeria has kicked off the construction of the Sustainable & Emerging Technologies Institute (SETI) in the Bayero University Kano (BUK) New Campus.
The institute building project which is spearheaded by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), will serve as a hub for developing human capita in the area of modern digital technology including Artificial intelligence, and robotics.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelSpeaking during the groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, at the project site located in BUK’s new campus, Kano, 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 industrialisation.
The minister called the project an “ace project” and a pointer to securing a veritable socio-economic development for the nation.
Executive Vice Chaiman/Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, said the new institute will be built on 30 hectares of the BUK land.
According to Halilu, the institute will feature state-of-the-art facilities, including innovation hubs devoted to Artificial Intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies, complemented by reliable power supply. “NASENI will fully build and equip and support the new Institute” Halilu stated.
The future of socio-economic development for nations rests on human creativity, innovation and cooperation, Artificial intelligence, and robotics amongst others.
The NASENI EVC/CEO pointed out that the establishment of SETI in Nigeria is to rapidly respond to the waves of young people globally revolutionizing world economies with the unprecedented emergence of socio-economic frontiers as by-products of innovations and ingenuities of these young minds.
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“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 fulfill this important responsibility.”
He emphasised that the project will transform the lives and careers of future generations of young Nigerians.
He noted that the project is in line with NASENI’s operating principles of “3Cs- Collaboration, Creation, and Commercialisation.
“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 Ahmed Tinubu.”
He added that SETI will produce innovators, technologists, and 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 further stated.
In his goodwill message, Vice Chancellor of BUK, Professor 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.
The BUK VC described the ground-breaking event as the beginning of Nigeria’s journey in pursuit of sustainable development, and massive job creation opportunities for the youths.
He said BUK was delighted to be the host to such a laudable initiative.
Other NASENI Projects in BUK
Aside from the SETI, NASENI also has another project in BUK, the Agri-preneurship Training Hub.
The training hub, according to a statement by Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, Director of Information, NASENI, will be equipped with modern greenhouses, and facilities for Soil-less Farming, and Tissue Culture.
It said the hub is 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 appreciated the Government and people of Kano State, and the Vice Chancellor, management and students of Bayero University Kano, for all the support.
It also expressed gratitude to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the groundbreaking ceremony.
It thanked members of the National Assembly for their support, especially the NASENI oversight Committees in both chambers and President Bola Tinubu, who has given the agency the opportunity to serve Nigeria.
