The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, has said engineering, innovation and technology must remain at the heart of Nigeria’s development agenda to achieve sustainable economic growth, industrialisation and global competitiveness.
According to an official statement signed by the Special Adviser to the APC National Chairman, Abimbola Tooki, Professor Yilwatda made the remarks after participating in the opening ceremony of the 34th Engineering Assembly of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) in Abuja.
The APC National Chairman described the gathering of engineering professionals, policymakers, academics and industry leaders as timely, noting that it provided an important platform to advance engineering excellence, strengthen professional standards and promote national development.
He said engineering is more than a profession, describing it as a strategic instrument for nation-building, economic prosperity and social progress.
Speaking on the Assembly’s theme, “Shaping Solutions. Building a Greater Future,” Professor Yilwatda said engineers have a critical role to play in addressing complex national and global challenges through practical, innovative and technology-driven solutions.
He stressed that shaping solutions requires visionary leadership, creativity, continuous research, ethical professional conduct and a commitment to solving societal problems, adding that engineers are expected to deliver resilient infrastructure, sustainable energy solutions, improved healthcare systems, digital connectivity and industrial growth.
Professor Yilwatda also emphasised the need for greater investment in engineering education, research, innovation and local capacity development, noting that countries that have achieved rapid economic transformation did so by empowering engineers, scientists and innovators to develop indigenous solutions.
He observed that Nigeria possesses the human and natural resources needed to drive technological advancement, provided they are supported by sound government policies, strategic partnerships and sustained investment in science and engineering.
The APC Chairman said engineering remains indispensable to the delivery of major infrastructure projects, including roads, railways, bridges, housing, power, telecommunications, manufacturing, mining and the digital economy.
He noted that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, recognises infrastructure and technological advancement as critical pillars of national development.
Professor Yilwatda further urged Nigerian engineers to embrace emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, smart infrastructure, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and ethical practice.
He also called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, regulatory agencies, academia, professional bodies and the private sector to accelerate sustainable national development.
Commending the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) for promoting professional excellence and strengthening engineering regulation, Professor Yilwatda expressed confidence that the resolutions of the 34th Engineering Assembly would contribute to policies that would accelerate Nigeria’s industrialisation and infrastructure development.
He encouraged young engineers to pursue excellence, innovation and integrity, expressing optimism that the ideas and partnerships emerging from the Assembly would further position Nigeria on the path of sustainable development, technological advancement and shared prosperity.
