The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has empowered young people and women in Ile Ife, Osun state, with advanced technical skills and equipment under its NASENI Sustainable Empowerment Programme (NSEP), aimed at promoting self reliance, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods.
The three-day training programme, held from August 7 to 9, 2026, at the NASENI Skills Acquisition Centre, Ile Ife, exposed beneficiaries to Advanced Photography and Drone Operations, Advanced Shoemaking, CCTV and Inverter Installations, and Advanced Tailoring, equipping participants with practical knowledge and tools to establish or strengthen income generating ventures.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, represented by the Overseeing Officer, Prototype Engineering Development Institute (PEDI), Ilesha, Mr. Ahmed Olaoye Hamzat, said the initiative was designed to move empowerment beyond the presentation of certificates to providing beneficiaries with practical skills, tools and opportunities capable of translating into sustainable livelihoods and economic independence.
He explained that the programme deliberately combined skills acquisition with the provision of relevant equipment to enable beneficiaries to immediately put their knowledge into practice. Participants in the various skill areas were exposed to modern techniques and tools that could help them improve their professional capacity, offer quality services and build sustainable businesses.
According to Halilu, the equipment provided to beneficiaries should not be regarded merely as empowerment items but as starter tools for building viable enterprises. He urged the beneficiaries to deploy the skills acquired in Photography and Drone Operations, Shoemaking, CCTV and Inverter Installation, and Tailoring to provide services, train others, create employment and contribute to the development of their communities.