The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has announced that Nigeria’s first indigenous helicopter, known as the “Nigerian Chopper,” is in its final stages of development and will soon undergo its maiden test flight.
Engr. Kareem Aduagba, Project Manager at NASENI’s Aeronautics and Air Vehicle Development Institute, disclosed the update during a Focus Group Engagement in Kaduna, which brought together industry leaders, government officials, and inventors to promote local innovation.
Aduagba emphasized that NASENI has made significant progress in both developing the helicopter from the ground up and modifying imported aircraft components through engineering expertise. “Very soon, we will conduct the first test flight of the Made-in-Nigeria helicopter as we approach the final stages of development,” he stated.
Speaking at the event, Engr. Abdulfatai Ambali, Head of Manufacturing Services at NASENI’s Hydraulic Equipment Development Institute, highlighted the agency’s commitment to promoting homegrown technology and reducing Nigeria’s dependence on foreign products. He credited NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman, Khalil Suleman Halilu, for driving awareness and collaboration.
Saleh Kwaru, the event’s facilitator, urged Nigerians to support local industries, warning that reliance on foreign products weakens the economy. Similarly, Yusuf Suleman, Acting Zonal Coordinator for the North West Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), stressed the importance of innovation in improving product quality and job creation.
As NASENI pushes forward with its aviation project, the Nigerian Chopper marks a major step toward technological self-sufficiency and industrial growth in the country.
