By Gwurld4026 
NASENI Unveils Made-in-Nigeria Helicopter Launch Plans
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has announced that Nigeria’s first indigenous helicopter is nearing completion and is poised for its maiden test flight. Kareem Aduagba, Project Manager at NASENI’s Aeronautics and Air Vehicle Development Institute, shared this development during a stakeholder engagement event in Kaduna on February 26, 2025. He stated, “Very soon, we are going to do the first test. Everything is nearing completion now, and very soon, we will fly the first made-in-Nigeria helicopter.”
This initiative is part of NASENI’s broader strategy to enhance Nigeria’s technological and industrial capabilities. The agency has been working on developing the helicopter from the ground up, utilizing local expertise and resources. Additionally, NASENI has acquired Semi Knock Down (SKD) and Complete Knock Down (CKD) helicopter units from developed countries to study and refine their designs, applying scientific and engineering principles to adapt them to local needs.
The successful development and deployment of this helicopter are expected to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported aircraft, promote local content, and stimulate economic growth. Stakeholders have emphasized the importance of supporting indigenous industries and adopting locally made products to achieve these goals.