WorldStage– The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), has empowered youths and women in Ile-Ife, Osun State, with advanced technical skills and work equipment under its NASENI Sustainable Empowerment Programme (NSEP).
The three-day intervention, which ran from August 7 to 9, 2026, at the NASENI Skills Acquisition Centre, Ile-Ife, was designed to equip beneficiaries with practical skills and tools to establish or strengthen income-generating businesses and achieve sustainable livelihoods.
The beneficiaries were trained in Advanced Photography and Drone Operations, Advanced Shoemaking, CCTV and Inverter Installations, and Advanced Tailoring.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, represented by the Overseeing Officer, Prototype Engineering Development Institute (PEDI), Ilesha, Mr. Ahmed Olaoye Hamzat, said the programme was designed to move empowerment beyond the presentation of certificates to providing beneficiaries with practical skills, equipment and opportunities for economic independence.
Halilu said the combination of skills acquisition and equipment provision was intended to enable participants to immediately apply their knowledge and build viable enterprises.
According to him, the equipment provided should not be viewed merely as empowerment items, but as starter tools for building sustainable businesses.
He urged the beneficiaries to deploy their new skills to provide quality services, train others, create employment and contribute to economic development in their communities.
The NASENI chief executive said the success of the programme would ultimately be measured by its multiplier effect, noting that a beneficiary who establishes a successful business, employs another young person, trains an apprentice or provides reliable technical and creative services would be contributing to the core objective of NSEP.
Halilu said the empowerment initiative was consistent with NASENI’s 3Cs – Creation, Collaboration and Commercialisation, through which the Agency develops innovative solutions, works with relevant stakeholders and communities, and seeks to convert technologies, skills and innovations into economic value.
He commended community leaders, trainers, partners and other stakeholders who contributed to the implementation of the programme.
He particularly appreciated the Chairman of the House Committee on NASENI, Hon. Taofeek Abimbola Ajilesoro, for his partnership and support towards expanding technology-driven opportunities for youths and women.
The Chairman of the House Committee on NASENI, Hon. Ajilesoro, represented by Mr. Felix Oruma, commended NASENI for taking the skills acquisition programme directly to the people of Ile-Ife.
Oruma said the Agency had evolved into a household name through its interventions in innovation, reverse engineering, local assembly and development of indigenous technologies.
He said the beneficiaries had gained exposure to modern techniques in advanced tailoring, CCTV and inverter installation, shoemaking, photography and drone operations.
According to him, the training would enable participants to upgrade their existing knowledge, improve professional standards and maximise the use of modern equipment.
Oruma described the intervention as a sustainable approach to empowerment, saying it was focused on giving beneficiaries the knowledge and tools required to become economically productive rather than relying on one-off support.
He commended NASENI for its continued investment in human capacity development and efforts to create pathways for Nigerians to build sustainable livelihoods.
