NASENI Chief Executive, Khalil Suleiman Halilu BagsYoung African Leader Award as African Leaders Gather in Accra
L-R: Founder & CEO, African Leadership Organization, Dr. Ken Giami; S.A Media & Publicity to the EVC/CEO of NASENI, Mr. Abdullahi Adamu Misilli: EVC/CEO of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu; and the Rt. Hon. Samuel Matekane, Prime Minister of Lesotho when Halilu received the Young African Leader of the Year by African Leadership Magazine at its Persons of the Year Ceremony held in Accra, Ghana.
The Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, has called on African leaders to give priority attention to execution of Science and Technology projects guided by output and not potentials alone
The NASENI boss made this remarks when he was awarded the Young African Leader of the Year by African Leadership Magazine at its Persons of the Year Ceremony held in Accra, Ghana.
Statement from NASENI says the Nominees were first shortlisted by the editorial board of the magazine based on measurable impact, leadership record, policy influence, and institutional reforms across the continent.
Statement by NASENI Director of Information and Protocol Mr Segun Ayeoyenikan said the nomination came through a continental-wide public e-voting exercise, where Africans across different countries voted for candidates in various categories.
The Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of NASENI. Khalil Suleiman Halilu according to the statement emerged winner of the Young African Leader of the Year category after securing the highest number of votes in his class, reflecting broad continental recognition of his reforms and impact.
The continental honour recognises Halilu’s industrial and institutional transformation of NASENI since his appointment in 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to drive Nigeria’s local manufacturing and homegrown innovation agenda.
Speaking on the theme “Leadership for a New Africa: Forging Our Peace, Owning Our Narrative,” Halilu emphasised that Africa’s transformation must be driven by production, innovation, and industrial capability. “At NASENI, our mandate is clear; move Nigeria from consumption to creation,” he said.
He explained that since assuming office in 2023, NASENI has been repositioned; From Research to Products. From Unknown to National Relevance. From Agency to Innovation Platform.
Under his leadership, according to Mr Halilu, NASENI is advancing clean energy localisation, mechanised agriculture, coal-to-fertiliser technology for food security, youth innovation programmes such as Innovate Naija, DELT-Her, Shefly, FutureMakers, women in engineering initiatives, and decentralised manufacturing, guided by its 3Cs operating principles of Creation, Collaboration, and Commercialisation.
Referencing his remarks at the West African Economic Summit (WAES) in June last year, Halilu reiterated that Africa’s transformation will not come from policy ambition alone but from industrial capacity.
He stated that “If we do not produce what we consume, we cannot control our future,”
Concluding his remarks in Accra, Halilu called on African leaders to prioritise execution and productivity. “The New Africa must be defined by output, not potentials. The future is being built by us” he said.
The continental recognition comes shortly after two major honours in Nigeria. NASENI received the Environmental Impact of the Year award from Leadership Newspaper, while Halilu was also recognised for Outstanding Service in Innovation and Reforms by New Telegraph.
The event was attended by distinguished African leaders, including; H.E. Jakaya Kikwete, H.E. Samuel Matekane, H.E. John Kufuor, H.E. Esperança da Costa, and Hon. Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura
