ENGINEERS CHART NEW COURSE FOR NIGERIA’S FUTURE AS MINISTRY DRIVES STRATEGIC DIALOGUE ON INNOVATION, REGULATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

The 45th Conference of Directors of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Departments from the Federal Ministry of Works and States’ Ministries of Works/Infrastructure took place in Abuja from May 5 to 7, 2025. 
This event brought together federal and state engineering directors, retired professionals, and key stakeholders. Under the theme “Application of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Tools for Economic Growth and Sustainability,” the conference provided a vital platform for discussions on engineering innovation, regulatory compliance, energy transition, as well as workforce development.

The Permanent Secretary, Engr. Olufunsho O. Adebiyi, FNSE, represented by the Director of Highways, Planning and Development, Engr. David Yiltong declared the conference opened. He commended the Directors for their unwavering commitment to national infrastructure development and expressed his deep appreciation for the conference's role in enhancing professional collaboration and generating policy-driven solutions. 
He emphasised the Ministry's commitment to supporting the implementation of resolutions reached, particularly those in alignment with national development goals.

The Conference Chairman and Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services (EMS), Engr. Bukar D. Mohammed praised the collaborative spirit among the delegates and urged them to align their contributions with the nation's aspiration for a resilient, self-reliant, and technologically advanced engineering sector. 
He highlighted the importance of updating technical knowledge, building regulatory capacity, and integrating sustainable tools and practices into engineering operations across the country.

Goodwill messages framed the discussions. A retired Director of Engineering Management Services, Federal Ministry of Works, Engr. Felix Ebuzeome applauded the leadership of the organising committee and encouraged future conferences to be held outside the Federal Capital Territory to promote national inclusivity. 
Engr. Joshua Olurinola, another retired Director of EMS, challenged the delegates to become the change Nigeria requires. He reminded them of their privileges and responsibilities as engineers and, specifically urged the Department to collaborate with the Highways Department in deploying road signages across all federal roads.

Among the major technical highlights was a presentation by Bozimo E. Joseph, Federal Delegate and Higher Technical Officer (HTO), titled “Engineering Innovation, Workforce Development, and Professional Inclusion for Nigeria’s Economic Growth and Sustainability.” 
The delegate advocated for the formal recognition of emerging engineering disciplines, such as Environmental Engineering and AI-integrated systems, which are currently unaccredited by COREN and excluded from the Civil Service career structure. He proposed the establishment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion training workshops in the Ministry’s Technical Schools to support the national goal of converting over one million vehicles by 2027. His presentation also called for reforms in curricula, modular training pathways, and digital certifications aligned with the industry’s needs and aspirations.

Engr. Itodo Emmanuel's presentation reinforced the importance of regulatory compliance and safety standards in national development. Referencing frameworks like the National Building Code, COREN’s Engineering Regulations Monitoring (ERM), and various safety codes, he identified enforcement gaps, substandard materials, and low regulatory awareness as significant challenges. 
He recommended mandatory registration, periodic inspections, sanctions for violators, and the promotion of local fabrication through training schools, including initiatives such as streetlight pole manufacturing. He called for stronger collaboration between institutions and continuous professional development to maintain quality and integrity in the sector.

Engr. (Dr.) R.O. Raheem emphasised the necessity for robust training institutions, enhanced instructor capacity, expanded engineering curricula, and policy reforms prioritising engineering graduates in public sector recruitment. He advocated for partnerships with the private sector to improve technical capabilities to bridge human capital gaps.

Energy security was a key focus in Engr. John Chukwuemeka's presentation on solar photovoltaic integration and grid optimisation. Using the Ministry’s 1.5MW solar micro-grid project as a case study, he illustrated how decentralised solar solutions can prevent national grid collapses, reduce energy costs, and ensure uninterrupted power supply to critical infrastructure. 
He urged the Council to support broader adoption of solar microgrids, engineer retraining, and curriculum revisions to align with renewable energy goals.

Another thought-provoking paper presented was the “Economic Impacts of Engineering Innovations in Nigeria” by Engr. Oyinloye Adekunle examined how indigenous technological advancements could reduce dependency on imports and stimulate local industries. 
Engr. Olaore O. Isaac presented a timely paper on the “Development of Electric Vehicles and Hybrid Transport Systems in Nigeria: Challenges, Opportunities, and Roadmap for Sustainable Mobility,” offering practical policy recommendations for transitioning Nigeria’s transportation sector into the clean energy future. In another critical submission, Engr. Benneth O. Obiajulu spoke on “Intelligent Traffic Management and Control Systems,” emphasising the need for real-time traffic data integration, smart infrastructure deployment, and inter-agency collaboration to reduce congestion and improve road safety. These papers, amongst others, underscored the depth and diversity of engineering insights shared at the conference.

The conference concluded with a unified call to action. Delegates recommended to the Council for the formal recognition of emerging engineering disciplines, adoption of standardised CNG conversion training across the Ministry’s  Technical Schools, and the establishment of pilot training centers for national scale-up. 
The directors also urged strengthened regulatory enforcement, expanded COREN accreditation, and institutional capacity building as essential levers for progress.