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Nigeria’s First Indigenous Helicopter Nears Completion, NASENI Confirms

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has announced that Nigeria’s first locally manufactured helicopter is in its final stages of development and will soon undergo its maiden flight.

Speaking at a Focus Group Engagement in Kaduna, Engr. Kareem Aduagba, Project Manager at NASENI’s Aeronautics and Air Vehicle Development Institute, confirmed that substantial progress had been made on the project, which will soon be officially recognized as the “Nigerian Chopper.”

The engagement session, organized by NASENI, brought together inventors, manufacturers, government officials, industry leaders, and academics to foster local innovation and discuss policies that will drive Nigeria’s industrial and technological growth.

“We are not reinventing the wheel. One of our major projects, including the Made-in-Nigeria helicopter and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), started from the ground up,” Aduagba explained.

“In addition, we have sourced some aircraft components from developed nations in Semi Knock Down (SKD) and Complete Knock Down (CKD) forms. Using our scientific and engineering expertise, we are assembling and modifying these components to meet our standards.”

“Very soon, we will conduct the first test flight of the Made-in-Nigeria helicopter as we complete the final development stages,” he added.

Strengthening Local Innovation and Industrial Growth

Speaking at the event, Engr. Abdulfatai Ambali, Head of the Manufacturing Services Department at NASENI’s Hydraulic Equipment Development Institute in Kano, emphasized the agency’s commitment to commercialization, collaboration, and technological innovation under its current leadership.

“Many Nigerians are unaware of NASENI’s contributions. However, under the leadership of our Executive Vice Chairman, Khalil Suleman Halilu, we are prioritizing awareness, stakeholder engagement, and community impact,” Ambali said.

“Our goal is to develop homegrown technology that reduces Nigeria’s dependence on foreign products. Several of our innovations are already being deployed across different sectors.”

Saleh Kwaru, the event’s facilitator, urged Nigerians to support locally made products, emphasizing that economic growth depends on patronizing homegrown industries.

“We must utilize our own resources and reduce reliance on foreign goods. Constant importation weakens our economy and hinders industrial growth,” he stated.

Similarly, Yusuf Suleman, Acting Zonal Coordinator for the North West Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), commended NASENI for addressing quality and production challenges affecting locally made products.

“Innovation and modern technology are critical in improving the acceptance of Nigerian products. This type of engagement will help solve production challenges and create more job opportunities.”

“SMEDAN and NASENI share common goals—promoting technological advancement, supporting local businesses, and ensuring sustainable industrial growth,” Suleman added.

With NASENI’s continued push for local technological development, the imminent flight of Nigeria’s first indigenous helicopter marks a significant milestone in the country’s aerospace and engineering ambitions.

Source: Vanguard