Here’s what’s happening:
- VP Shettima launched the Federal Government Asset Restoration Programme.
- The goal is to restore over 26,000 heavy-duty machines.
- Nearly 500,000 component scraps will be repurposed.
- The program aims to reduce waste, cut spending, and power national development.
Nigeria’s Massive Machine Revival: Why Now?
Vice President Kashim Shettima recently unveiled the Federal Government Asset Restoration Programme, a game-changing initiative designed to breathe new life into Nigeria’s industrial and agricultural sectors. This program, spearheaded by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), aims to restore over 26,000 broken but serviceable heavy-duty machines and repurpose nearly 500,000 component scraps scattered across the country.
Shettima’s Vision: From Waste to Wealth
Speaking at the launch in Maiduguri, VP Shettima emphasized the program’s objective: to minimize waste, curb unnecessary expenditures, and fuel national development through localized innovation and sustainable asset management. This initiative signals a shift in Nigeria’s approach to resource management, moving away from a culture of disposal towards one of restoration and reuse. He said, “For so long, we have been profiled as a nation with poor maintenance culture. This dysfunction cuts across both the private and public sectors, and we owe it to ourselves to say: enough is enough.”
Powering Up: Borno State University Gets a Boost
Shettima also inaugurated power infrastructure projects at Borno State University, including a new injection substation and distribution transformers. These projects, executed by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC), will significantly improve the university’s power supply, creating a more conducive environment for learning and research.
The Big Picture: A Self-Reliant Nigeria
The Vice President reiterated the Tinubu administration’s commitment to building a productive, self-reliant, and diversified economy. Strategic investments in infrastructure, innovation, and local capacity are at the heart of this transformation. By restoring existing assets, Nigeria aims to reduce its dependence on imports and foster homegrown solutions. According to the Brookings Institution’s Africa Growth Initiative, investments in local capacity building are crucial for sustainable economic development in Africa.
NASENI’s Role: Engineering a Brighter Future
Shettima lauded NASENI’s contributions to national development through technology transfer, local engineering, and adaptive innovation. He specifically highlighted NASENI’s work in areas such as compressed natural gas (CNG) retrofitting, renewable energy, and agricultural mechanization. The Vice President emphasized the importance of localizing global technologies to create durable Nigerian solutions to Nigerian problems.
Borno State: A Model for Agricultural Transformation
Governor Babagana Zulum highlighted Borno State’s prior investments in agricultural mechanization under Shettima’s leadership as Governor. He noted that the current asset restoration program builds upon this foundation, providing a lifeline to revive damaged assets and restore farmers’ capacity to cultivate efficiently. Zulum stated that Nigeria needs at least 750,000 functional tractors to meet its agricultural demands, but less than 10% of that number are currently operational.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Massive Savings Ahead
NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, revealed that a national survey identified over 47,000 broken-down or serviceable agricultural and law enforcement assets in Nigeria. Replacing these assets would cost over N14 trillion. However, NASENI’s restoration program can recover these assets for just 15 to 25 per cent of their replacement value, resulting in over N10 trillion in national savings.
What’s Next? A Call to Action
The National Asset Restoration Programme represents a bold step towards a more sustainable and self-reliant Nigeria. By embracing innovation, investing in local capacity, and prioritizing the restoration of existing assets, Nigeria is paving the way for a brighter economic future. The success of this initiative depends on the collective effort of government agencies, private sector partners, and the Nigerian people.