First Made in Nigeria Motorcycle Launched in Nnewi

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), has launched the first locally made motorcycle in Nigeria, made by one of its institutes, National Engineering Design Development Institute (NEDDI), based in Nnewi, Anambra State. The 80C engine motorcycle was conceived, designed and manufactured using local materials by Nigerian engineers. The motorcycle is called NASENI M1. The Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Dr.Mohammed Haruna at the launch ceremony said that, “The Federal Government which the Agency is part of, has promised Nigerians a better socio-economic deal by year 2020 even as Mr.President has also committed the government to elevate the economic status of Nigeria to be among the 20 fastest growing economies in the world by 2020” “Nigerians must demonstrate real capacities for engineering technology development, and production of manufactured goods and a service, saying that is why NASENI had taken this bold step to demonstrate to Nigerians that Mr.President’s dream is both realizable and is even being realized.” “About 20 million Nigerians today rely on motorcycles as a means of transport and many unemployed youths and men support their families or earn a living from running motorcycle as a commercial venture. Imagine the large number of jobs that will be created if only Nigeria could close her borders against the importation of motorcycles and allow entrepreneurs to invest in the manufacturing of the parts including production of the motorcycle locally.” “Nigeria, no doubt, has all the materials needed to produce motorcycles in Nigeria, 100 percent. NASENI has both the raw materials survey, their locations, equipment and the critical human capacity, design, feasibility studies and the business plan for running a successful plant to produce motorcycles. What we are waiting for now is for Nigerian entrepreneurs to come forward and take advantage of this profitable investment to manufacture the motorcycles.” “The law establishing NASENI and its institutes does not allow it to embark on full scale manufacturing of products and or become full scale player in the market but for every technology and engineering products developed within the agency system to be ceded to the private sector for commercial purpose or mass production. Its mission includes hitherto establishing and nurturing appropriate dynamic science and engineering infrastructure base for achieving home initiated and home sustained industrialization through the development of relevant processes, capital goods and equipment necessary for job creation, national economic well-being and progress.”