The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI, has announced that the first Made-in-Nigeria helicopter is nearing completion and is set to take its maiden flight soon.
During a Focus Group Engagement in Kaduna, Engr. Kareem Aduagba, the Project Manager at NASENI’s Aeronautics and Air Vehicle Development Institute, confirmed that substantial progress had been made on the indigenous helicopter, which will soon be officially recognized as the “Nigerian Chopper.”
The session, organized by NASENI, gathered inventors, manufacturers, government representatives, industry leaders, and academics to foster local innovation and discuss policies aimed at advancing Nigeria’s industrial and technological landscape.
Aduagba explained, “What we’re doing now is not about reinventing the wheel. One of our projects, including the Made-in-Nigeria helicopter and some Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), started from scratch.”
He added, “We’ve also acquired aircraft components from developed countries in Semi Knock Down (SKD) and Complete Knock Down (CKD) forms. With the help of scientific and engineering expertise, we are assembling and modifying them. Very soon, we’ll conduct the first test flight of the Made-in-Nigeria helicopter as we near the final stages of development.”
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Engr. Abdulfatai Ambali, Head of the Manufacturing Services Department at NASENI’s Hydraulic Equipment Development Institute in Kano, also spoke at the event, highlighting the agency’s commitment to commercialization, collaboration, and innovation under its current leadership.
Ambali noted, “Many Nigerians are unaware of NASENI’s contributions, but under the leadership of Executive Vice Chairman Khalil Suleman Halilu, we’re prioritizing awareness, stakeholder engagement, and community impact. Our aim is to develop homegrown technologies that reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign products. Many of our innovations are already being deployed across various sectors.”
Saleh Kwaru, the program facilitator, urged Nigerians to support local industries, emphasizing that national development depends on the promotion of homegrown products. “We must look inward and leverage our resources. Over-reliance on foreign products weakens our economy,” he stressed.
Yusuf Suleman, Acting Zonal Coordinator for the North West Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), also praised the event for addressing challenges faced by locally made products, such as quality and finishing.
“Innovation and modern technology are crucial to improving the acceptance of Nigerian products. This engagement will help tackle production challenges and create more job opportunities. SMEDAN and NASENI share common goals, including marketing, technological advancement, and job creation, all contributing to sustainable industrial growth,” Suleman added.
Reported by Vanguard
