Engineering remained the critical catalyst for Nigeria’s quest for sustainable development, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has declared.
He added that economic transformation, industrial growth and global competitiveness can only be achieved by placing the profession, innovation and technology at the centre of national planning and execution.
Yilwatda stated this at the opening ceremony of the 34th Engineering Assembly of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) held in Abuja, on Tuesday.
The APC national chairman joined eminent engineering professionals, policymakers, industry leaders, academics and other critical stakeholders to deliberate on the future of engineering practice in Nigeria.
As noted in a press release by his Special Adviser (Media), Yilwatda, a proud member of the engineering profession, described the gathering as both inspiring and timely.
Engineering and national development
He noted that it provided an important opportunity to engage with colleagues who remained committed to advancing engineering excellence, strengthening professional standards and contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s national development.
According to him, the Assembly, once again, demonstrated that it was not merely a profession, but a strategic instrument for nation-building, economic prosperity and social progress.
He said the theme of this year’s Assembly, “Shaping Solutions. Building a Greater Future,” perfectly reflected the enormous responsibility placed on engineers at a period when Nigeria and indeed the global community were confronted with increasingly complex developmental challenges requiring practical, innovative and technology-driven solutions.
He explained that shaping solutions demands more than technical competence; it required visionary leadership, creative thinking, continuous research, ethical professional conduct and an unwavering commitment to solving real societal problems.
According to him, engineers were expected to design systems that improve lives, create resilient infrastructure, develop sustainable energy solutions, modernise agriculture, strengthen healthcare delivery, expand digital connectivity and support industrial growth.
The APC national chairman noted that building a greater future cannot be separated from deliberate investments in engineering education, research, innovation and local capacity development.
He stressed that every modern economy that has successfully transformed itself has done so by empowering its engineers, scientists and innovators to develop indigenous solutions capable of addressing national priorities.
Professor Yilwatda further observed that Nigeria possessed abundant human capital, natural resources and youthful talent capable of driving technological advancement, if properly supported through sound government policies, strategic partnerships and sustained investment in science, engineering and innovation.
He maintained that the profession remained indispensable to the successful implementation of major national infrastructure projects.
The projects, he noted, included roads, rail transportation, bridges, housing, water resources, power generation and transmission, telecommunications, manufacturing, mining and the rapidly expanding digital economy.
According to him, the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Tinubu administration recognised infrastructure and technological advancement as critical pillars of economic development.
This, he said, made the role of engineering professionals even more significant in translating government policies into measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerians.
Yilwatda also emphasised that the future of the profession lied in embracing emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, smart infrastructure, renewable energy, green construction technologies, data science and advanced manufacturing.
He urged Nigerian engineers to position themselves at the forefront of these global technological shifts, while remaining committed to ethical practice, professionalism and continuous learning.
He called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, regulatory agencies, academia, professional bodies and the private sector.
He noted that sustainable national development can only be achieved through coordinated efforts that leverage the collective expertise of all stakeholders.
The APC National Chairman commended COREN for its unwavering commitment to strengthening the regulation of the profession, promoting professional excellence, protecting public safety and ensuring that engineering practice in Nigeria continued to meet global standards.
He described the annual Assembly as an invaluable platform for knowledge sharing, policy dialogue, innovation, mentorship and professional development.
He added that the resolutions emerging from this year’s deliberations would significantly contribute to shaping policies that will accelerate Nigeria’s industrialisation and infrastructure development.
Professor Yilwatda encouraged young engineers to remain steadfast in their pursuit of excellence, innovation and integrity.
This was as he assured them that the future belonged to professionals who combine technical competence with visionary leadership and a commitment to public service.
He reaffirmed his confidence in the capacity of Nigerian engineers to provide transformative solutions capable of addressing the country’s infrastructure deficit, improving productivity, creating employment opportunities and driving inclusive economic growth.
The APC national chairman expressed optimism that the conversations, ideas and partnerships fostered during the 34th COREN Engineering Assembly would strengthen the engineering profession and further position Nigeria on the path of sustainable development, technological advancement and shared national prosperity.
“By harnessing our collective knowledge, embracing innovation, upholding professionalism and working together across sectors, we can truly shape lasting solutions and build the greater future that every Nigerian deserves,” Professor Yilwatda stated.
