The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has said Nigeria must place engineering, innovation and technology at the heart of national planning to achieve sustainable development, economic transformation and global competitiveness.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 34th Assembly of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) in Abuja on Tuesday, Yilwatda described the gathering as timely, saying it offered an opportunity for stakeholders to advance engineering excellence, strengthen professional standards and contribute to national development.
Addressing engineering professionals, policymakers, industry leaders, academics and other stakeholders, he said engineering is 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 it reflected the growing responsibility of engineers at a time when Nigeria and the wider world face increasingly complex development challenges requiring practical, innovative and technology-driven solutions.
According to him, delivering sustainable solutions requires not only technical expertise but also visionary leadership, creativity, continuous research, ethical practice and a commitment to addressing societal needs.
He said engineers have a critical role to play in designing systems that improve living standards, develop resilient infrastructure, expand sustainable energy, modernise agriculture, strengthen healthcare delivery, improve digital connectivity and support industrial growth.
Yilwatda stressed that Nigeria’s future depends on deliberate investment in engineering education, research, innovation and local capacity development. He noted that countries which 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 the human capital, natural resources and youthful talent needed to drive technological advancement, provided they are supported through sound government policies, strategic partnerships and sustained investment in science, engineering and innovation.
The APC chairman also highlighted the importance of engineering in delivering major infrastructure projects, including roads, railways, bridges, housing, water resources, electricity, telecommunications, manufacturing, mining and the digital economy.
He said President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda recognises infrastructure and technological advancement as key drivers of economic development, making the contribution of engineering professionals vital to translating government policies into tangible benefits for Nigerians.
Yilwatda urged engineers to embrace emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, smart infrastructure, renewable energy, green construction, data science and advanced manufacturing, while maintaining high ethical and professional standards.
He also called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, regulatory agencies, academia, professional bodies and the private sector, saying sustainable national development requires coordinated efforts across sectors.
Commending COREN for promoting professional excellence and strengthening engineering regulation, Yilwatda described the annual assembly as an important platform for knowledge sharing, policy dialogue, innovation, mentorship and professional development.
He expressed confidence that the resolutions from the assembly would help shape policies to accelerate Nigeria’s industrialisation and infrastructure development.
Yilwatda encouraged young engineers to pursue excellence, innovation and integrity, expressing confidence in the ability of Nigerian engineers to deliver solutions that address the country’s infrastructure deficit, improve productivity, create jobs and drive inclusive economic growth.
He expressed optimism that discussions and partnerships formed during the assembly would strengthen the engineering profession and further position Nigeria on the path to sustainable development and technological advancement.
“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,” he said.
