The Minister of Science and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, on Friday laid the foundation for the Sustainable and Emerging Technology Institute (SETI) donated to Bayero University, Kano by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony at the BUK new site, Nnaji said the institute will serve as a hub for research, capacity building and partnership to ensure Nigeria moves at the forefront of advancing technology, sustainability and development in areas such as renewable energy, artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology.
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He said the initiative is inline with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda particularly in the areas of economic diversification, industrialization and job creation .which will lay a foundation for a future that is self-sufficient, technologically competitive and environmentally sustainable.
In his remarks, NASENI Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Khalil Suleiman, said that the donation was in line with the Agency’s operating principles of collaboration, creation and commercialisation to ensure the industrialisation of the country.
He highlighted that SETI is cited on 30 hectares of land, and will feature a state-of-the-art facilities, including innovation hubs (devoted to Artificial Intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies), complemented by reliable power supply which NASENI will fully build, equip and support.
“In addition to SETI, a second NASENI project for BUK, an Agri-preneurship training hub, will be equipped with modern greenhouses, and facilities for Soil-less Farming, and Tissue Culture, occupying 10 hectares of land at the old campus.”
According to him, SETI will produce innovators, technologists, entrepreneurs who will make their mark within and outside the country.
He noted that the projects would go along way in building capacity, advancing industrialization as well as supporting economic growth and development in the country.
He, therefore, called on the University community to immediately take ownership of the project, and provide all the needed support to ensure its speedy completion.
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The BUK Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sagir Adamu, said the establishment of the institute is another step towards positioning Kano and Nigeria at the forefront of innovation, industrialization and human capital development.
He lauded NASENI and the Minister for the initiative stressing that the institution is committed to partner with the organization to ensure the success and sustainability of the initiative.
