President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced plans to establish a National Engineering and Innovation Fund, aimed at empowering Nigerian engineers and technologists to develop solutions tailored to the country’s unique challenges.
The President, represented by Mohammed Bello Goronyo, Minister of State for Works, revealed this during the 2024 International Engineering Conference, Exhibition, and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in Abuja.
Empowering Local Engineering and Innovation
The fund will provide grants and resources to foster:
Local Innovation: Encouraging entrepreneurship in the engineering sector.
Sustainable Energy Solutions: Driving environmentally friendly practices.
Infrastructure Growth: Enhancing Nigeria’s industrial and infrastructure capacities.
“With this fund, we aim to support local innovations, encourage entrepreneurship, and ensure that Nigeria remains at the forefront of engineering advancement in Africa,” President Tinubu said.
Strengthening Infrastructure for Economic Growth
The Tinubu administration emphasized its priority on strengthening resilient infrastructure to meet the demands of a growing population and dynamic economy.
The President noted that engineering lies at the heart of progress, describing engineers as “problem solvers, creators, and the architects of our future.”
2024 NSE Conference Highlights
Themed “Sustainable Engineering Solutions to Food Security and Climate Change,” the event emphasized the pivotal role of engineering in addressing Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.
Keynote Contributions:
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas:
Advocated for alignment with Nigeria’s National Integrated Infrastructure Masterplan to bridge the infrastructure deficit.
Called for stronger collaboration between engineers and public institutions to drive development.
Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security:
Highlighted engineering’s critical role in achieving sustainable food systems.
Stressed collaboration between the engineering and agricultural sectors to overcome challenges like climate change, insecurity, and economic disruptions affecting food security.
Reiterated the government’s commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda to enhance food production and combat climate issues.
Call to Action for Engineers
President Tinubu urged Nigerian engineers to:
Strive for excellence.
Embrace innovation.
Apply their skills to drive economic growth and national progress.
“Engineers are not just builders; they are the architects of our future. The government will continue to rely on your expertise to build a prosperous and sustainable Nigeria,” he added.
Conclusion
With the National Engineering and Innovation Fund and strategic initiatives discussed at the NSE Conference, the Tinubu administration aims to position engineering as a key driver of sustainable development, tackling critical issues such as food security and climate change.
