By Hassan Ibrahim
The Chairman of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Hon. Engineer Joseph Bege Gayya, has called on the Nigerian government to urgently create an enabling environment for engineers to practise, innovate and contribute meaningfully to the country’s sustainable development.
Engineer Gayya made the call in a good will message at the ICESID 2026 International Conference on Engineering Innovation for Sustainable Development, themed “Innovating Tomorrow: Harnessing Engineering to Drive Nigeria’s Growth for Sustainable Development,” held at the Yusuf Bala Usman Hall, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The chairman described the Nigerian engineering sector as a “fantastic sector,” but expressed concern over what he described as the hostile environment facing engineers and engineering practice in the country, particularly due to inadequate funding, poorly equipped laboratories and limited opportunities for research and innovation.
According to him, many engineering laboratories across the country are no longer functioning effectively, making it difficult for students and professionals to acquire the practical skills and experience required to develop indigenous solutions to Nigeria’s challenges.
He noted that while Nigerian students and engineers continue to travel abroad to improve their skills and acquire modern technologies, the country has failed to provide the environment needed for them to fully exploit their knowledge and expertise.
The chairman also expressed concern that other scientific fields, particularly medicine and water-related research, appear to receive greater access to research grants and international support than engineering.
He questioned why Nigeria continues to rely heavily on foreign consultants and expatriates for major infrastructure projects when qualified Nigerian engineers possess the technologies and expertise required to execute such projects.
“Today, when you look at our highways, we bring Chinese consultants, but you see Nigerians with the same technologies who are busy doing the work. So we don’t even trust ourselves. We don’t even trust the system that is producing us,” he said.
Engineer Gayya lamented that the situation has contributed to graduate unemployment despite the existence of numerous opportunities within the country, arguing that Nigeria often brings in expatriates to undertake jobs that could be handled by competent Nigerian professionals.
He urged policymakers to rethink the country’s approach to engineering development by strengthening research institutions and increasing government investment in engineering education, research, laboratories and innovation.
The chairman particularly raised concerns over the country’s energy sector, warning that continued dependence on private and foreign interests without sufficient indigenous capacity could pose serious challenges to Nigeria’s economic development.
He stressed that energy remains fundamental to national development, noting that no country can achieve meaningful industrial and economic growth without a reliable energy supply.
Engineer Gayya questioned how Nigerian engineers could become more productive when they lack functional laboratories, research facilities and industrial environments where they can apply and develop their knowledge.
He also criticized Nigeria’s continued dependence on imported goods, saying the country should strengthen indigenous industries and encourage Nigerians to patronize locally developed technologies and products.
He cited the leather industry as an example of an area where Nigeria possesses significant potential, noting that research institutions are already developing products and technologies that could support industries and even contribute to the production of military hardware.
The Zangon Kataf Local Government chairman therefore called for a deliberate national policy that would promote indigenous technology, support Nigerian engineers and create opportunities for young graduates to contribute to national development.
He said the participants at the conference have a responsibility to use their knowledge and expertise to address the challenges confronting the country, stressing that the decisions being made today would determine Nigeria’s future.
He urged policymakers, researchers, universities, engineers and other stakeholders to work together to build a system capable of transforming Nigeria from a largely consuming nation into a productive and technologically self-reliant country.
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