National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, has declared that engineering, innovation and technology must remain at the heart of Nigeria’s development agenda if the country is to achieve sustainable economic growth, industrialisation and global competitiveness.
Yilwatda made the remark on Tuesday while attending the opening ceremony of the 34th Engineering Assembly of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) in Abuja, where engineering professionals, policymakers, industry leaders and academics gathered to discuss the future of engineering practice in Nigeria.
Describing the event as both timely and inspiring, the APC National Chairman said engineering is far more than a profession, describing it as a strategic tool for nation-building, economic prosperity and social progress.
Speaking on the theme of the assembly, “Shaping Solutions. Building a Greater Future,” Yilwatda said the challenges confronting Nigeria and the global community require practical, innovative and technology-driven solutions.
He stressed that engineers have a critical role to play in designing resilient infrastructure, expanding digital connectivity, developing sustainable energy solutions, modernising agriculture, improving healthcare delivery and supporting industrial growth.
According to him, Nigeria’s aspiration for rapid development depends on deliberate investments in engineering education, research, innovation and local capacity development.
Yilwatda noted that countries that have achieved significant economic transformation did so by empowering engineers, scientists and innovators to develop home-grown solutions to national challenges.
He added that Nigeria possesses abundant human capital, natural resources and youthful talent capable of driving technological advancement through supportive government policies, strategic partnerships and sustained investment in science and innovation.
The APC chairman further highlighted engineering’s importance in delivering major infrastructure projects, including roads, railways, bridges, housing, power, telecommunications, manufacturing, mining and the digital economy.
He said the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu places infrastructure development and technological advancement at the centre of economic reforms, making engineers indispensable in translating government policies into tangible benefits for Nigerians.
Yilwatda also urged Nigerian engineers to embrace emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, renewable energy, smart infrastructure, data science and advanced manufacturing while maintaining high ethical and professional standards.
He called for stronger collaboration among government, regulatory agencies, academia, professional bodies and the private sector, insisting that sustainable national development requires coordinated efforts.
The APC National Chairman commended COREN for promoting professional excellence, strengthening engineering regulation and ensuring that engineering practice in Nigeria aligns with global standards.
He also encouraged young engineers to pursue excellence, innovation and integrity, expressing confidence that Nigerian engineers have the capacity to provide transformative solutions that will address the country’s infrastructure deficit, create jobs and drive inclusive economic growth.
Yilwatda expressed optimism that the resolutions reached at the 34th COREN Engineering Assembly would contribute significantly to Nigeria’s industrialisation, technological advancement and sustainable national development.
