By Myke Uzendu
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has empowered 1,000 residents of Lagos State with clean energy solutions, livelihood support and practical skills under its Sustainable Empowerment Programme (NSEP).
The Lagos edition of the programme, held on Friday at the LTV Blue Roof, Ikeja, featured the distribution of 400 NASENI Power Stoves, 100 NASENI Home Solar Solutions and NASENI Support Packs, alongside practical training in Plaster of Paris (POP) installation and electrical maintenance.
A statement signed by Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, Director of Information reported that the intervention is part of NASENI’s efforts to deploy science, technology and engineering solutions directly to Nigerian homes, businesses and communities.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr Khalil Suleiman Halilu, said the Lagos intervention came a day after the agency implemented a similar programme in Ohafia, Abia State.
He said the agency was determined to ensure that technological innovations translated into practical solutions to the everyday challenges confronting Nigerians.
“Science, technology and engineering must ultimately improve lives. Innovation only becomes meaningful when it solves real problems for real people,” Halilu said.
He explained that the NASENI Power Stoves were designed to provide cleaner and more efficient cooking alternatives, reduce households’ dependence on traditional cooking methods and support Nigeria’s transition towards cleaner energy.
According to him, the NASENI Home Solar Solutions would provide households and small businesses with renewable energy options capable of extending productive hours and supporting economic activities.
The NASENI chief executive said the Lagos programme was deliberately structured to go beyond product distribution by equipping beneficiaries with market-relevant skills in POP installation and electrical maintenance.
“These are practical skills with immediate economic value. The objective is not simply to train people, but to give them skills they can convert into services, businesses and sustainable sources of income,” he said.
Halilu said the agency wanted beneficiaries to “move from learning to earning, and from receiving support to becoming productive economic participants.”
He urged beneficiaries to regard the intervention as an investment in their productive capacity and make effective use of the products and skills provided.
“Our real measure of success is what happens after today. Are households benefiting? Are people reducing their energy challenges? Are those trained earning from their new skills? Are small businesses being created or expanded? Those are the outcomes that matter to us,” he said.
Representing the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Hon. Fuad Kayode Laguda, member representing Surulere I Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, commended NASENI for extending the programme to Lagos.
Laguda said the combination of practical skills development and empowerment products demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to translating policies into tangible economic opportunities for citizens.
