Vice President Kashim Shettima has launched the Federal Government’s Asset Restoration Programme, spearheaded by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), aimed at reviving Nigeria’s industrial and agricultural machinery.
The initiative is a key part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen local innovation and optimise the country’s existing resources.
The programme focuses on restoring over 26,000 heavy-duty machines currently out of service but repairable, alongside repurposing nearly 500,000 component scraps nationwide.
READ ALSO: Shettima: Nigeria to shift to cocoa processing, targets $25bn gas pipeline
Speaking at the launch event held at the Borno State Agricultural Mechanization Farm Center in Maiduguri, Mr Shettima emphasised the government’s commitment to reducing waste, cutting unnecessary costs, and accelerating national development through sustainable asset management.
“For too we have been known as a nation lacking maintenance culture in both public and private sectors. It is time to change this narrative,” he said.
Following the launch, Mr Shettima proceeded to Borno State University to commission a power infrastructure project executed by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC).
The facility includes a 7.5MVA injection substation, associated power lines, and distribution transformers aimed at improving the electricity supply for the university and surrounding communities.
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State praised the initiative, highlighting the state’s history of agricultural mechanisation under Mr Shettima’s previous governorship.
He recalled the procurement of significant farming equipment including tractors, planters, and harvesters, describing the current programme as a vital step to restore machinery damaged by recent floods and sustain the region’s farming capacity.
“Borno’s mechanisation efforts were severely hit by the 2024 floods, and this national restoration programme comes at the perfect time to revive our agricultural productivity,” Mr Zulum said.
Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Khalil Halilu, noted that a national survey revealed over 47,000 agricultural and law enforcement machines were broken but repairable, with replacement costs exceeding N14 trillion.
The restoration project aims to recover these assets at just 15 to 25% of replacement costs, saving over N10 trillion and preserving jobs.
“This programme demonstrates how Nigerian engineering can provide home-grown solutions to our problems,” Halilu stated.
READ ALSO: Shettima urges national unity, support for Tinubu
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, described the project as transformative for public service delivery, stressing the importance of reviving under-utilised assets across sectors to unlock Nigeria’s growth potential.
The event was attended by senior government officials, including representatives from NDPHC, the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Borno State Executive Council members, and various dignitaries.
