Abuja: President Bola Tinubu has announced the establishment of the National Engineering and Innovation Fund. Tinubu made this known at the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) 2024 International Engineering Conference Exhibition and Annual General Meeting in Abuja. The president was represented by the Minister of State for Works, Mr. Bello Goronyo.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the theme of the conference was ‘Sustainable Engineering Solutions to Food Security and Climate Change’. President Tinubu declared, “I am proud to announce the establishment of the National Engineering and Innovation Fund. It is a new initiative designed to provide grants and resources to engineers and technologists working on solutions for Nigeria’s unique challenges.” He emphasized that the fund aims to support local innovations, encourage entrepreneurship, and ensure that Nigeria remains at the forefront of engineering advancement in Africa. Additionally, it seeks to strengthen regulations and standards, underscoring a commi
tment to quality and safety in engineering.
The president pledged to collaborate closely with the NSE and other regulatory bodies to ensure that only licensed and qualified professionals handle critical national projects. He also encouraged the engineering community to explore solutions in solar, wind, and other renewable energy technologies to provide reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, praised the NSE for its commitment and support in advancing agriculture in Nigeria. Kyari highlighted the pressing challenges faced by Nigeria’s food security and climate resilience, urging engineers to develop affordable and adaptable machinery suited to Nigerian crops and terrains. He emphasized the importance of mechanized farming and sustainable storage facilities to minimize post-harvest losses, especially in rural communities.
Kyari noted that affordable renewable energy systems, such as solar and bio-gas, could revolutionize agriculture in
off-grid areas by providing reliable power for irrigation, processing, and storage. He affirmed the Federal Government’s interest in collaborating and pushing for legislation to promote sustainable engineering solutions in agriculture.
Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno called on engineers to invest in research areas such as irrigation, food cultivation, water harvesting, and mechanization to boost food production. He also encouraged the utilization of alternative energy sources like geothermal, solar power, and biomass energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Nigeria.
Mrs. Margaret Oguntala, President/Chairman-in-Council of NSE, stated that the conference theme served as a clarion call for engineers to be problem solvers and innovators. She emphasized that food insecurity, exacerbated by climate change, remains a critical issue, and engineers have the tools to pioneer sustainable solutions through advancements in precision agriculture and renewable energy for rural communities.
Oguntala challenged engineers
to push boundaries and inspire solutions that solve today’s problems and safeguard the future. She affirmed that the NSE would collaborate with government, academia, industry, and international partners to implement recommendations effectively, aiming to secure a sustainable future and ensure that no Nigerian goes hungry.