The Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) Kaduna, Prof. Idris Bugaje has identified lack of practice and proper mentorship as challenges facing the engineering sector in the country.
Bugaje made the statement on Wednesday in Sokoto in his keynote address at the 1st International Conference of the Faculty of Engineering and Environmental Studies, Usman Danfodio University Sokoto (UDUS).
Bugaje cited notable infrastructural projects including the Dangote Refinery in Lagos which he claimed was designed by Indians, Kaduna Refinery by a Japanese firm and two refineries in Port Harcourt by Shell as examples.
He also noted that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway were designed offshore.
According to him, another major factor that is hindering Nigeria’s industrialization is lack of stable electricity noting that the supply has dropped to 22 watts per capita.
“20 years ago South Africa had 270 watts per capita, Egypt had 400 watts per capita, Europe 1000 watts per capita while Nigeria in 2026, is still at about 22 watts per capita,” he said.
He argued that Nigeria can’t industrialize with the current level of electricity supply.
Bugaje therefore urged the policy makers, particularly state governors, to invest in decentralized renewable energy and establish power plants to bridge this gap.
“So we need to go into decentralized solar-based power plants for our states.
“Fortunately, power is now into the concurrent list, Federal and State governments have equal opportunity to invest in that sector,” he added.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Bashir Garba described the conference as both timely and relevant.
He said that across the world, climate change, environmental degradation, rapid urbanization, and resource depletion continue to pose serious challenges.
“These realities demand innovative and sustainable solutions,” he said.
He described the conference as an avenue for scholars, researchers, industry practitioners and policymakers to exchange ideas, share research findings and explore practical approaches to promoting environmental sustainability through engineering innovation.(NAN).
