Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, has been honoured with the CEO of the Year 2025 Award by Blueprint Newspapers Limited.
The award was presented during the eighth edition of the Blueprint Newspaper Public Lecture, Impact Series and Awards held on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at the Shettima Hall of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.
The award recognition according to the Chairman, Editorial Board, Blueprint Newspapers Limited, Zainab Suleiman-Okino, was presented to Halilu “in recognition of his innovative leadership in technology, engineering and industrial development.”
Receiving the award on behalf of the NASENI EVC, the Coordinating Director, Planning and Business Development, NASENI, Dr. Mrs. Nonyem Onyechi, expressed appreciation to the management of Blueprint Newspapers Limited for the recognition.
“I want to thank Blueprint Newspapers for the 2025 CEO of the Year Award on behalf of the Chief Executive of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Halilu, and the entire NASENI team. We are truly humbled and grateful. We appreciate this recognition, and we remain committed to excellence,” she said.
The recognition is in line with Blueprint Newspapers’ assessment of Halilu’s leadership and contributions to technology, innovation and industrial development. The newspaper stated that the NASENI EVC earned the award on the strength of policies and programmes that have accelerated innovation, strengthened local manufacturing and promoted technology-driven industrial development.
According to Blueprint, under Halilu’s leadership, NASENI has intensified efforts to commercialise research outcomes, encourage indigenous production and support enterprises capable of creating employment and reducing dependence on imported technologies. The newspaper said its award recipients were selected following an assessment that placed emphasis on tangible achievements, institutional impact, innovation and service delivery.
Since assuming office, Halilu has repositioned NASENI around the principles of Creation, Collaboration and Commercialisation, with emphasis on converting research and engineering innovations into marketable products, strengthening strategic partnerships, expanding technology transfer and advancing indigenous manufacturing.
The event chaired by Senator Abdulaziz Yari, also featured the recognition of other prominent Nigerians and institutions for their contributions to governance, public service, business, finance and national development.
Among the awardees were the National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, 2025 Person of the Year Award; Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, Politician of the Year Award for Fiscal Responsibility and Digital Transformation; Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, Efficient Public Resource Management and Transparency Award; and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, who was recognised for financial sustainability and regulatory oversight, among other award recipients.
The Blueprint Public Lecture, Impact Series and Awards also provided a platform for discussions on the theme, “Security Challenges and the Integrity of Nigeria’s 2027 Elections.” The event brought together political leaders, public officials, traditional rulers, security stakeholders and other Nigerians to deliberate on issues affecting national security, democratic governance and the electoral process.
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