This move was hailed as a significant step towards promoting local content development and reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imported technology.

However, recent findings by the BusinessUpdate has shown that NASENI’s claims may after all not be entirely true.

Some critics have described the move as a “grand deception.” At the heart of this criticism is the question of whether NASENI’s computers are truly “made in Nigeria.”

While the agency has partnered with an indigenous company, Imose Technologies Ltd, to manufacture these devices, some argue that the level of local content is not as high as claimed.

Infact, many have expressed doubts about the genuineness of the claim noting that what could have happened is nothing but mere coupling or assemblage of parts from different quarters or sources.

Spokesman for NASENI, Olusegun Ayeoyenikan has however refuted these claims by critics noting that the computers produced by NASENI for now is circulating amongst Government to Government Market.

According to him, the product is yet to reach the mass production stage where it will be available from Government to Business Market or Government to consumer Market.

He highlighted that the intention of NASENI’s technology essentially is to build technology capacity and to deepen technology know-how including building local competencies.

While, many critics believe that what NASENI did with the launch of the devices was a fluke similar to an act by a former Minister of Aviation who hired an airplane, rebranded it and told Nigerians that a national carrier ” Nigeria Air” was set for take off; A measure that was later discovered to be false.

Despite assurance by NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman, Khalil Halilu’ that the agency’s commitment to driving indigenous industrialization and creating jobs remain unshaven, observers have pointed out that the manufacturing process may be largely assembly-based, with major key components still being imported.

Although NASENI’s initiative has been praised for its potential to stimulate economic growth and promote digital inclusion, the laptops and tablets, which are said to be available in various configurations, and designed to be affordable and accessible to Nigerians, are still nowhere to be found in major electronics shops and markets across the country.
Ayeoyenikan explained further that “before you can mass produce any products, you need to move gradually from prototyping to mass production..and later commercialization.”

He called on Nigerians to support the agency ,”Let us encourage ourselves first, believe in our own people and the local competencies…that is how to develop our own economy ”

He also admonished critics and observers to support NASENI, noting that Japanese, Chinese and Americans will not develop our economy for us. NASENI has started somewhere…let us encourage the Agency, he declared.

The partnership between NASENI and Imose Technologies Ltd is seen as a positive development, as it brings together the agency’s technical expertise and the company’s manufacturing capabilities with the potential to drive innovation and entrepreneurship in Nigeria’s tech sector if properly and effectively harnessed.

However, to fully realize the benefits of this initiative, NASENI must address concerns around the level of local content and the manufacturing process. The agency must also ensure that its computers meet the needs of Nigerian consumers, in terms of quality, affordability, and accessibility.

Ultimately, the success of NASENI’s computer initiative will depend on its ability to deliver high-quality, affordable devices that meet the needs of Nigerian consumers. If the agency can achieve this, it will have taken a significant step towards promoting digital inclusion and driving economic growth in Nigeria.

*Challenges and Concerns*

– _Level of Local Content_: There are concerns around the level of local content in NASENI’s computers.
– _Manufacturing Process_: Some have questioned whether the manufacturing process is truly “made in Nigeria.”
– _Quality and Affordability_: There are concerns around the quality and affordability of NASENI’s computers.

While the challenges persist, it is important to reiterate that NASENI’s computer initiative has the potential to drive economic growth and promote digital inclusion in Nigeria. However, the agency must address concerns around the level of local content and the manufacturing process. By delivering high-quality, affordable devices that are readily available and meet the needs of Nigerian consumers, NASENI can take a significant step towards achieving its goals of building technology capacity by deepening technology know-how, including building local competencies.