By Atoyebi Nike
Vice President Kashim Shettima has launched the Federal Government’s National Asset Restoration Programme. The initiative, driven by NASENI, aims to revive over 26,000 broken heavy-duty machines and repurpose nearly 500,000 scrap components nationwide.
Speaking in Maiduguri, Borno State, Shettima said the goal is to cut waste, reduce spending, and boost development through local innovation and efficient asset use.
After the launch at the Borno Agricultural Mechanisation Farm Centre, Shettima inaugurated power infrastructure at Borno State University. The power projects were executed by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company and include an injection substation, several distribution lines, and transformers.
“For too long, Nigeria has struggled with poor maintenance culture,” Shettima said. “We must end this waste and rethink how we manage public resources.”
He reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to building a productive and diversified economy through strategic investments. The Vice President described the programme as a “shift in thinking” around sustainability, innovation, and national value.
Shettima praised NASENI for its efforts in asset recovery, renewable energy, CNG retrofitting, and agricultural technologies. He described the agency’s leadership under Khalil Suleiman Halilu as focused, visionary, and responsive to national needs.
“These restored machines belong to Nigerians,” he added. “We must protect and maintain them.”
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum recalled Shettima’s prior investments in agriculture as governor, including the procurement of 1,000 tractors and related equipment—Borno’s largest machinery investment to date.
Zulum said less than 10% of the 750,000 tractors needed across Nigeria are currently functional. He noted Borno’s mechanisation efforts suffered heavy losses during the 2024 floods, making the restoration project timely and essential.
“Selecting Borno as the pilot state is strategic,” Zulum said. “We’re putting a system in place to ensure these restored assets are used effectively.”
NASENI boss Halilu said a national audit showed over 47,000 broken agricultural and law enforcement assets exist, costing over N14 trillion to replace.
“With proper engineering, we can restore them at just 15–25% of the cost,” he said. “This saves the country over N10 trillion and boosts productivity.”
Halilu added that the programme reflects NASENI’s broader mission to localise engineering solutions for Nigeria’s problems.
Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the programme is a turning point. It targets restoring unused public assets and increasing efficiency across sectors.
“Out of 55,000 tractors in Nigeria, fewer than 10,000 are in use,” Kyari said. “This shows how much dormant capacity we must unlock. The programme aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”
