President Bola Tinubu on Friday has sacked the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Dr. Bashir Gwandu and subsequently approved the appointment of Khalil Suleiman Halilu, the Presidency said.
“By this appointment, Khalil Suleiman Halilu will serve for an initial term of five years in accordance with the relevant sections of the NASENI Act, 2014.
“Mr. Halilu, 32, is expected to bring his significant experience as an innovator and technology expert to bear in this important new national assignment.
“The tenure of Dr. Bashir Gwandu as EVC/CEO of NASENI is hereby terminated. By the directive of the President, this appointment takes immediate effect.”
Halilu is a company founder and investor with a keen interest in tech, service providing businesses, consulting, problem solving and many other investments. In addition to running several programs in the Nigerian tech space for young innovators, Khalil Halilu has proven himself over the years as an expert and a thought leader.
Khalil Suleiman Halilu (born 29 October, 1990), is a Nigerian Businessman & Innovator who founded West Africa’s first eco-themed technology hub. Khalil is the founder and Chairman of Centre For Civic, Citizen’s Welfare And Community Development (CWCD Africa) a non-governmental Organization particularly interested in Health, Education, Transparency and accountability, Environment and Climate Change, Peace and Security, Sustainability, Inclusive Development, Refugees, Migrants and The Displaced. He also sits on the board of directors of Scirrocco the tea and cold beverage company, a sister company to Gongoni the aerosol company which together forms a conglomerate with 300+ products in African markets.
After attending Rainbow Primary School in Kano from 1996, he soon began his secondary school education at St. Thomas Catholic School (2001–2003), which he completed at Prime College in Kano (2006).
Khalil worked as admin clerk at Archimode & Associates before he did his mandatory National Youth Service Corps in 2010. He joined Scirrocco International Limited, a sister company to Gongoni Company Limited, which manufactures tea, and cold beverages as Chief Operating Officer in 2010 and remains a Director at Scirrocco International.
In 2018, Khalil started the Center for Civic, Welfare and Community Development (CWCD Africa) – a non-governmental organization focused on making tangible contributions to social sectors such as health, education, the environment and climate change. Other areas such as sustainability, inclusive development, welfare for refugees, migrants and displaced within the continent have also been observed.
Under Khaleel, CWCD launched another invention, the Zabe mobile app, which was crucial during the Nigerian general elections in 2019. The Zabe App is a civic tool that seeks to deepen democratic participation and decentralize electoral transparency. To further ensure that the processes in the election were fair and reliable, Zabe.ng was created as an election monitoring app that can keep voters up to date with real-time updates.
Zabe.ng had a surprising success and proved to be a useful tool in recording only a 3% difference from the independent National Electoral Commission’s results. In order to make life more affecting and more problems to be eradicated, Khaleel sets out on the next possible path to help.
Khalil, or KSH, as they are affectionately called, saw the stress that comes with modern shopping, from sorting to logistics and allowing shoppers to avoid crowded market places and unnecessary long drives to obtain supplies. this led to creation o ShapShap Logistic Ltd. In the same year, OyaOya Strategic Services Ltd came into being. OyaOya is a technological application designed to connect commodity traders in an ecosystem that is both fast and efficient.
He created CANs.ng – a hub of innovative expression for budding entrepreneurial enthusiasts. CANs.ng a platform committed to building Africa’s next generation of thought leaders and recognized experts in multiple fields.
With a lot in hand, Khaleel Halilu has proved in his spare time that he is a well prepared player as well. He is an all-rounder with Golf and Polo being his major hobbies. Khaleel is also a member of Abuja Polo Club, Nigerian Polo Association, Lagos Polo Club and Kano Golf Club.