The National Economic Council (NEC) has approved the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure’s (NASENI’s) solar-powered irrigation pumps for rollout nationwide ahead of the 2025 dry-season farming.
The Council’s decision on the irrigation pumps rollout was taken on Thursday at its 152nd meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja and underscores the Council’s confidence in NASENI’s capacity to deliver homegrown, energy-efficient solutions needed to address Nigeria’s food security challenges.
The development of the solar-powered irrigation pump as an affordable, energy-efficient, and sustainable alternative aligns with the agency’s 3Cs mandate—Creation, Collaboration, and Commercialization.
The solar irrigation pumps are also designed to help boost agricultural productivity by lowering operational costs for farmers, increasing yields, raising incomes, and improving rural livelihoods.
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Speaking on the feat, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, said: “NEC’s decision is a strong vote of confidence in our ability to deliver energy-efficient, homegrown solutions that will boost food production, lower costs for farmers, and secure livelihoods.
“Special appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the continuous support, ensuring NASENI remains at the forefront of advancing his administration’s reforms on industrialization, technology transfer, and food security. Together, we are building a more resilient agricultural sector, harvesting more sustainably and unlocking infinite possibilities for Nigeria”, he added.
To facilitate immediate mass production and distribution of the pumps, NEC further mandated the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu, to work out funding modalities for NASENI.
The council’s endorsement reinforces NASENI’s role as a key promoter of industrialization, local technology transfer, and sustainable solutions for national prosperity.
Photo Caption
Vice President Kashim Shettima (centre), Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NASENI, Khalil Suleiman Halilu and state governors during the endorsement of the NASENI’s Solar Irrigation System at the 152nd meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting held on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja
