A special focus on definitive CEOs' purpose-driven and truly transformative public institutions impacting Nigeria's economic growth in 2025. Part 1 by David Meshioye.
Khalil Suleiman Halilu: Driving NASENI's Agenda for Industrialisation
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, has emerged as a central figure in Nigeria's industrialization drive. Under his leadership, NASENI transitioned from a research-heavy institution to a delivery-oriented powerhouse based on his 3Cs principle of Creation, Collaboration, and Commercialization. Halilu aligned NASENI's projects with the Renewed Hope Agenda, transforming the Agency from producing patents to creating about 44 market-ready products.
Key Deliverables and Achievements in 2025
- Indigenous Products: Successfully introduced over 44 commercial products, including Made-in-Nigeria laptops, tablets, smartphones, cookstoves, TVs, solar street lamps, air conditioners, solar and electric tricycles, e-bikes, electric vehicles, water dispensers, mobile science kits, and STEM boxes.
- Energy Security: Established two Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Reverse Engineering Centres in Abuja, converting fossil fuel vehicles to CNG and providing training. Also constructing the largest energy park in Africa, a 40-hectare NASENI Solar Industrial Park in Gora, Nasarawa State.
- Health, Manufacturing & GreenTech: Established NASENI-Troment Biotechnologies Rapid Diagnostic Kits (RDT) Production Plant in Abuja, with capacity to produce 600 million RDTs yearly, reducing import dependency by up to 80%. Building the first coal-based fertilizer and liquid fertilizer plants in Africa.
- Food Security: Deploying affordable solar-powered irrigation systems through the Irrigate Nigeria Project, enabling year-round farming. The NASENI-AMEDI Lafia climate-resilient hydroponic farming harvested over 17,100 kg of fresh produce in one year.
- Fostering Innovations: Instituted Innovate Naija Challenge, DELT-Her program for young women in engineering, Delta-2 Program, and NASENI FutureMakers to foster innovation.
- Job Creation: Facilitated over 30,000 direct and indirect jobs through various projects and skill acquisition centers.
- Defense and Security: Collaborations with DICON and DSS to establish ammunition production factories, localizing supply chains for small arms and ammunition.
- Community Impacts: Solar home solutions and street lights lit up communities in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos (population ~288,743) and Karshi, Abuja (~300,000).
- Strategic Partnerships: Signed over 50 MoUs, including with the Bureau of Public Procurement to enforce the “Nigeria First” policy.
Impact on Nigeria's Economic Growth
Halilu's strategy focused on import substitution, contributing to over 4% GDP growth in Q4 2025. Economic savings of over ₦173 billion (approx. $155 million) between January and June 2025 were achieved through local price intelligence and procurement. Recognitions include “The Environmental Impact Agency of the Year 2025” by Leadership Newspapers, “Award for Outstanding Service in Innovations and Reforms” by New Telegraph, and “2026 Young African Leader of the Year” at the African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year 2025 Award in Ghana.
Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi: NEPZA's Commitment to Economic Growth
Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, Managing Director/CEO of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), has brought transformative leadership. Appointed on October 17, 2023, he based reforms on revitalizing underperforming Free Trade Zones, digitizing NEPZA activities, and listing Free Trade Zones on the Nigeria Stock Exchange.
Key Achievements
- Global Presence: Elected to the Board of the World Free Zone Organisation (WFZO) in October 2024.
- Free Trade Zones: The scheme now boasts 63 Free Trade Zones hosting over 700 businesses with a combined value of USD 35 billion.
- Revenue Collection: Formalized digitization of revenue collection, including $500,000 declaration fees and $60,000 annual operation license fees.
- Job Creation: Increased employment target to over 70%, aiming for approximately 73,000 direct and 50,000 indirect jobs.
- Investment Facilitation: Engaged with American Business Council, US Chamber of Commerce, and others at UNGA to attract FDI.
- New Zones: Licensed Abuja Industrial Park (ZEBERCED) with $150 million investment and 40,000 jobs, and Arise Remo Free Trade Zone with $1 billion investment and 30,000 jobs.
- Dispute Resolution: Resolved a dispute between FCT Administration and Abuja Technology Village, securing the minister's support.
Dr. Ogunyemi received the Congressional Award from the United States and the DISTINGUISHED GOVTECH TRAILBLAZER AWARD, leading NEPZA to win the Nigeria Gov-Tech Public Service Award for 'BEST FEDERAL MDA IN EASE OF DOING BUSINESS.'
Olubunmi Kuku: Transforming FAAN
Mrs. Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku, the first female Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), appointed in December 2023, is spearheading initiatives to create a safer, more consumer-centric aviation landscape.
Key Initiatives
- Hub Strategy: Plans to make Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos a leading aviation hub in Africa, with a 24-month rehabilitation plan involving biometric e-gates and a transit facility.
- Tariff Review: Implemented the first cargo port charge increase in 18 years, raising tariffs from N7 to N20 per kilogram to sustain infrastructure.
- International Certifications: Secured ISO 9001:2015 for Quality Management and ISO 14001:2015 for Environmental Management.
- Infrastructure Upgrades: ₦712.26 billion rehabilitation and modernisation plan for MMIA approved by the Federal Executive Council.
Kuku's leadership has drawn praise for improving airport infrastructure, safety standards, and staff welfare.
Engr. (Dr.) Abisoye Coker-Odusote: NIMC's Giant Strides
The Director-General/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. (Dr.) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, has anchored her responsibilities on a transformative Five-Point Agenda.
Key Achievements
- Increased Enrollment: Deployed over 800 mobile enrollment devices, registering an additional 13 million Nigerians, bringing total NIN registrations to 119,527,376 as of April 2025.
- Harmonization & Integration: Integrated NIN with Nigerian Immigration Service and FIRS, improved the NIMS Middleware.
- Issuance of GMPC: Re-launched the General Multipurpose Card with applets for payments, and introduced the NIMC Mobile Wallet ID.
- Financial Inclusion: Partnered with the Presidency for rice palliative distribution using NIN, and supported NELFUND student loans.
- Security: Crackdown on fraud with over 30 arrests, maintained ISO 27001:2022 certification, and engaged cybersecurity experts.
Her leadership has strengthened national security, supported anti-corruption efforts, and improved public service delivery.
Abba Aliyu: Renewable Energy Revolution at REA
Abba Abubakar Aliyu, Managing Director and CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), has repositioned the Agency as a global impact-delivery institution. Under his leadership, the REA has crossed the 500 mini-grids mark and facilitated $425 million investment in local manufacturing.
Key Initiatives
- DARES Programme: A $750 million project targeting electricity for over 17.5 million Nigerians through 1,350 solar mini-grids.
- Local Manufacturing: Facilitated the first Nigeria Renewable Energy Innovation Forum, securing $425 million in investment, and achieved export of locally produced solar PVs to Ghana.
- Infrastructure: Delivered over 500 mini-grids, including a 12MW plant at the University of Maiduguri.
- Institutional Integrity: Ranked No. 1 in the power sector on the ICPC Ethics and Integrity Compliance Ranking.
- Private Capital: Crowded-in over $1.2 billion in private-sector finance and unlocked N200 billion in non-interest credit facilities.
- Asset Management: Secured approval to establish a Renewable Asset Management Company (RAMCO) targeting a ₦1 trillion valuation.
Aliyu's leadership has positioned REA as a global knowledge hub and driven Nigeria's renewable energy scale-up.
