The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure has directed its development institutes to prioritise in-house products and technologies to strengthen internal collaboration and drive commercialisation.
The policy, approved by the agency’s Executive Vice Chairman Khalil Halilu, requires all NASENI institutes to patronise each other’s innovations before seeking external alternatives, the agency said in a statement on Monday.
An internal memo dated January 31, 2025, and sent to acting managing directors and overseeing officers outlined the framework for implementation, describing inter-institute patronage as key to the agency’s commercialisation efforts.
The directive mandates NASENI’s 11 development institutes, along with new and emerging ones, to prioritise the use of technologies, machines, equipment, and innovations developed within the agency, in line with procurement laws, before releasing them to external markets.
According to the circular, the initiative aims to enhance collaboration, strengthen the commercialisation strategy for NASENI’s innovations, and foster greater patronage within the agency.
“The policy encourages the active promotion, integration, and utilisation of NASENI-developed products, ensuring they undergo real-world applications before reaching external markets.
“This will not only boost confidence in the agency’s innovations but also refine them for broader adoption,” the statement said.
The directive requires all institutes to incorporate NASENI products, such as NASENI-branded laptops, into their procurement plans where budgets permit.
It also establishes internal pilot programs to test products in real-world settings, allowing for feedback and further refinement.
NASENI said it will organise bi-annual events to showcase innovations, share insights, and explore integration opportunities among institutes.
Institutes are also encouraged to set up mini-showrooms in key urban locations to exhibit their products alongside other NASENI innovations.
The statement further noted that training sessions will be conducted across institutes to equip staff with the skills to use and promote NASENI products effectively. Internal leadership will also endorse the usage of NASENI-developed solutions to strengthen market credibility for external commercialisation.
“Institutes are encouraged to prioritise products from existing partnerships, such as the NASENI-IMOSE collaboration,” it said.
A review mechanism will be put in place to monitor product adoption, with each institute expected to submit regular reports detailing product usage, feedback, and challenges to support continuous improvement.
The policy is expected to foster a collaborative culture within NASENI, enhance internal validation of products, and strengthen their appeal in external markets, the agency said.
