The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Khalil Halilu, has been honoured with a prestigious continental award. The award recognises what organisers described as Halilu's significant industrial and institutional transformation of NASENI since his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023. Halilu emerged victorious after a rigorous multi-stage selection process, securing the highest number of votes in his category.
In a recent statement, Halilu emphasised that Africa’s transformation must be anchored on production, innovation, and industrial capability—a philosophy that appears to underpin his work at NASENI. This recognition highlights the current administration's focus on scientific and engineering development as a national priority.
Meanwhile, a significant political crisis is unfolding within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State. The turmoil, stemming from parallel state congresses held on March 3, 2026, has escalated beyond an internal party disagreement. Two factions—one aligned with Governor Hyacinth Alia and the other with Senator George Akume—have produced parallel leaderships, creating a deep schism within the party's state structure.
This conflict is further complicated by the expiration of the tenure of the previous party executive, led by Comrade Austin Agada, on February 8, 2026. The resulting vacuum and the contested congresses point to a fierce battle for control of the party's machinery in Benue ahead of future elections.
In a separate but concurrent development, Benue State has secured a landmark environmental and social welfare agreement. Nigeria-based climate and sustainability corporation, GreenPlinth Africa, has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Benue State Government to deliver two million clean energy solutions. This project represents a major step towards sustainable development and energy access in the state, even amidst political uncertainties.
These three stories from a single day illustrate the complex, multi-faceted nature of Nigeria's current affairs, where strides in innovation and sustainability coexist with intense political manoeuvring.
