In a thought-provoking address at Bayero University’s 39th Convocation Lecture, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria’s National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Khalil Suleiman Halilu on Friday, 14th February, 2025 delivered a strong message on the role of innovation and entrepreneurship in shaping Nigeria’s future.
Titled Innovation and Entrepreneurship: A Pathway to National Development, the lecture underscored the urgent need for Nigeria to harness its youthful population and embrace technology-driven entrepreneurship to drive economic growth and global competitiveness.
The speaker noted that with a projected population of 264.1 million by 2030, Nigeria faces a critical challenge: how to turn its demographic strength into an economic advantage. "The country must produce a generation of skilled leaders equipped to navigate the fourth industrial revolution," he said, calling for policies that support innovation and entrepreneurship.
Highlighting the link between economic prosperity and entrepreneurship, Mr Halilu cited global data showing that high-income nations boast significantly higher entrepreneurial density than developing economies. Despite efforts by the Nigerian government—such as the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) and various youth empowerment initiatives—he argued that the impact has been insufficient due to weak implementation, poor data tracking, and an unfavorable business environment.
He urged the government to recalibrate its policies, citing global success stories such as Estonia’s e-Residency program, which has attracted entrepreneurs worldwide and propelled the country’s business growth. Nigeria, he argued, must create a similar ecosystem to support start-ups and digital innovation.
On research and development, the Convocation Lecturer stressed that universities must align with global trends, adopt multidisciplinary curricula, and enhance partnerships between academia, industry, and government. He highlighted NASENI’s efforts to foster homegrown innovation, including the development of electric vehicles, local drone production, and modern irrigation technology.
In a direct message to graduating students, he emphasized self-determination, continuous learning, and the power of networking. “Start where you are, with what you have,” he advised, urging them to be adaptable, entrepreneurial, and solution-driven.
Earlier, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Joeffrey Nnaji, who chaired the lecture, described the event as timely, aligning with the Federal Government’s intensified efforts to tackle poverty, unemployment, and infrastructure deficits. He emphasized that while Nigeria is endowed with abundant talent and resources, the real challenge lies in effectively harnessing them. Achieving this, he noted, requires a deliberate push to foster innovation, support start-ups, and cultivate a culture of creativity across all sectors.
Echoing this sentiment, Bayero University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, highlighted that both the lecture’s theme and its choice of speaker were intentional. He underscored NASENI’s pivotal role in addressing Nigeria’s scientific and technological challenges, making its leadership an ideal voice for the discourse.
The lecture drew a distinguished audience, including former vice-chancellors, registrars, traditional rulers, and members of the academic community from BUK and other tertiary institutions, reflecting the significance of the discussion on innovation and entrepreneurship.
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