NASENI Unveils Internal Patronage Policy to Strengthen Product Commercialization

 

The Management of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), announced over the weekend, the newly unveiled policy which mandates all Development Institutes under the Agency to prioritize patronizing one another’s products and technologies before looking to external markets. This move is expected to enhance internal collaboration and drive the full commercialization of NASENI’s innovations.

The Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NASENI, Mr. Khalil S. Halilu, approved the policy as part of a broader strategy to build market credibility for the Agency’s products. Historically, NASENI has developed a range of innovative technologies, but the challenge has been in scaling up adoption both internally and externally. By ensuring that its own institutes are the first to adopt NASENI products, the Agency aims to refine its offerings through real-world applications before introducing them to the wider market.

In an internal memo dated January 31, 2024, sent to all Acting Managing Directors and Overseeing Officers of NASENI Development Institutes, the policy emphasizes inter-institute patronage as a key commercialization strategy. The directive applies to all 11 NASENI Development Institutes, as well as emerging ones, instructing them to prioritize procuring machines, equipment, and innovations from within the NASENI ecosystem as long as it aligns with procurement laws.

Key Highlights of the Policy

Mandatory Product Integration

Institutes must prioritize purchasing NASENI-developed products, such as NASENI-branded laptops and machinery, where budget permits. This internal commitment is expected to boost visibility and credibility.

Internal Pilots and Testing

Each institute will conduct real-world pilot programs to test NASENI’s products, providing valuable feedback to refine innovations before launching them externally.

Inter-Institute Product Showcases

Bi-annual events will be organized where institutes can display their latest technologies, share insights, and explore collaborative opportunities. Additionally, mini showrooms will be established in key urban locations to exhibit NASENI’s products to a broader audience, including coworking spaces where startups and entrepreneurs can interact with these innovations.

Cross-Institute Training

Training sessions will be conducted to equip staff with the necessary skills to effectively use and promote NASENI products developed by other institutes.

Internal Endorsement and Support for Partnerships

NASENI leadership will actively endorse its own products to bolster their market credibility. Institutes will also be encouraged to prioritize products from existing partnerships, such as the NASENI-IMOSE collaboration, and foster deeper product-centered support for startups looking to integrate NASENI solutions into their ventures.

Reporting and Evaluation Mechanism

A structured review process will be implemented to track progress, product adoption, and challenges. Regular reports will document product usage, user feedback, and any obstacles encountered, ensuring continuous improvement.

Expected Outcomes

The overarching goal of this initiative is to:

• Enhance Internal Confidence – By validating NASENI’s products within its own ecosystem, the Agency can bolster trust and credibility for external commercialization.
• Foster Collaboration – Strengthen the culture of support and innovation among NASENI institutes.
• Provide a Model for External Commercialization – Successfully integrating NASENI products internally will serve as a blueprint for their adoption in wider markets.
• Improve Product Development – Feedback from internal users will ensure that products meet high standards before reaching consumers.

One striking aspect of this policy is the formalization of internal patronage. While it may seem logical for an organization to use its own innovations, many agencies and corporations struggle with internal adoption due to bureaucratic barriers, procurement challenges, or a preference for established external brands. NASENI’s proactive stance in mandating internal usage underscores a strategic shift toward self-sufficiency and confidence in its innovations.

Furthermore, this policy reflects a macroeconomic shift toward strengthening local industries. Encouraging NASENI institutes to patronize in-house innovations will not only refine product-market fit iteratively—similar to how startups operate—but will also create a reliable commercialization framework that strengthens Nigeria’s economy from within.

The Bigger Picture

This policy marks a pivotal moment for NASENI, signaling a shift from research and development to practical commercialization. With Nigeria’s increasing focus on homegrown technological solutions, this directive could serve as a model for other government agencies looking to strengthen internal innovation ecosystems.

Moving forward, the success of this initiative will depend on strict adherence, effective monitoring, and a willingness to refine strategies based on real-world feedback. If implemented successfully, NASENI’s approach could position it as a leader in fostering a culture where local innovation thrives both within and beyond its institutions.

Encouragingly, share your experiences with NASENI innovations. How have NASENI’s products impacted your work or industry? What improvements would you like to see? 

Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Twitter, or other professional networks to foster dialogue and insights.

The Paris AI Summit: A Crossroads for Humanity and Technology

 

Opinion Column

The air crackled with anticipation. In the lead-up to the Paris AI Summit, whispers of groundbreaking announcements and potential collaborations filled the corridors of power. Events like DeepSeek's disruptive entry into the AI model market and the US's "Stargate" project had already set the stage for a high stake gathering. Then came President Macron's bold declaration of a 109 billion euro investment in French AI, a figure that echoed the scale of the US's commitment. This wasn't just a summit; it was a declaration of a new era.

A Meeting of Power and Influence

Consequently, the summit itself became a focal point for global leaders, tech titans, and concerned citizens alike. The sheer concentration of power and influence in one room was remarkable. Imagine, for a moment, the scene: heads of state rubbing shoulders with the very people shaping the future of AI. This convergence underscored the growing recognition that AI is not just a technological advancement; it's a societal transformation.

Furthermore, the emergence of "Current AI," with its focus on public interest and ethical development, offered a glimmer of hope. The commitment to open-source tools, data access, and impact measurement signaled a shift toward responsible AI development. However, the path forward is far from clear. The challenge of establishing global governance remains daunting. Different nations, with their own agendas and priorities, must find common ground.

The Trump Factor and the US AI Strategy

US President Donald Trump has spoken of his desire to make the US the "world capital of artificial intelligence" by tapping into its oil and gas reserves to feed the energy-hungry technology. Meanwhile, he has moved to withdraw the US—again—from the Paris climate agreement and revoked former US President Joe Biden’s executive order for AI guardrails.

Trump is replacing it with his own AI policy designed to maintain America's global leadership by reducing regulatory barriers and building AI systems free of "ideological bias."

The US position might undermine any joint communique, said Nick Reiners, senior geotechnology analyst at the Eurasia Group.

"Trump is against the very idea of global governance," Reiners said. "It's one thing to get countries to agree that AI should have guardrails, and that AI safety is something worth caring about. But they've widened the scope to talk about the future of work and the environment and inclusivity and so on—a whole range of concepts. So, it's hard to imagine getting a widespread agreement on such a broad range of subjects."

China’s Strategic Moves

Meanwhile, Chinese leader Xi Jinping is signaling a strategic shift by sending Vice-Premier Zhang Guoqing, who has been elevated to the role of Xi's special representative. This is a notable escalation from the 2023 Bletchley meeting, when the Chinese government sent only the vice-minister of science and technology. It signifies that Xi wants China to play a bigger role in global AI governance as Trump pulls back, Reiners noted.

DeepSeek's release last month stunned the world with its ability to rival Western players such as ChatGPT. It also escalated the wider geopolitical showdown between Beijing and Washington over tech supremacy. Trump called DeepSeek a "wake-up call" for the US tech industry, while his AI adviser David Sacks accused DeepSeek of training its model on stolen OpenAI data. The DeepSeek chatbot app now faces investigations and, in some cases, bans in the US and other countries over privacy and security concerns.

Yet, DeepSeek's rise—and its ability to build an open-source AI model at a fraction of the cost and with fewer chips—also aligns China's interests with those of France. French organizers emphasized that "the summit aims at promoting an ambitious French and European AI strategy" as advances in the sector have been led predominantly by the US and China. Macron hopes to make room for other players, including French start-up Mistral, which also operates with an open-source AI model.

"DeepSeek is being seen as a kind of vindication of this idea that you don't have to necessarily invest hundreds of billions of dollars in chips and data centers," Reiners said.

The Speed of Change—and What Comes Next

What truly surprised me was the speed and scale of these developments. It feels like only yesterday that AI was a niche topic discussed in academic circles. Now, it's dominating headlines and shaping policy decisions. This rapid evolution underscores the urgent need for a broader conversation about the responsible use of technology. We must ask ourselves: How do we ensure that AI benefits all of humanity, not just a select few? How do we mitigate the potential risks, from job displacement to algorithmic bias?

In my opinion, the Paris AI Summit was a pivotal moment. It brought together the key players and highlighted the critical issues. But it's just the beginning. The real work lies ahead: translating these discussions into concrete actions, fostering collaboration across borders, and ensuring that AI is used for the betterment of society.

The Paris AI Summit has set the stage for what’s to come, but the conversation doesn’t stop here. What are your thoughts on AI governance? How do you see the role of global leaders shaping AI policy? Let’s discuss.