Khalil Bags UK Parliament Award For Advancing Africa’s Industrial Innovation

The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, has been honoured with the prestigious African Achievers Award at the UK House of Lords for his exceptional contribution to industrial innovation across Africa.

The award was presented during the 15th edition of the African Achievers Awards ceremony at the UK Parliament in London.

The event, hosted by Baroness Sandip Verma, Chancellor of the University of Roehampton and a member of the House of Lords, brought together distinguished leaders, royals, policy makers, and innovators from across the globe.

Halilu was recognised for his transformative leadership at NASENI, where he has championed indigenous technology development, enhanced innovation ecosystems, and repositioned the agency as Nigeria’s foremost technology transfer institution.

In his remarks, Mr. Halilu said, “It is a great honour to receive this award alongside fellow visionaries committed to Africa’s future. At NASENI, we are bridging the gap between ambition and access, turning ideas into industries, empowering indigenous solutions, and driving forward Nigeria’s and Africa’s industrial transformation. Africa is not just rising, it is ready.”

He also thanked the award organizers and supporters across the continent and the diaspora for promoting African-led solutions. “This recognition is a motivation to do more and a reminder that the future we seek is one we must build ourselves,” he said.

Since assuming office, Halilu has aligned NASENI with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on local production in key sectors such as clean energy, agriculture, transportation, and digital infrastructure.

The African Achievers Awards, now in its 15th year, is one of the continent’s most respected platforms for celebrating leadership and excellence.

Mr. Halilu’s award reflects NASENI’s growing impact and its role in delivering sustainable, homegrown technologies that address Africa’s real challenges and foster economic transformation across borders.

Remy Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji