Engineers: professionals, governance can work together for progress

President of Nigerian Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NIEEE), Felix Olu, yesterday stressed need to revive Ajaokuta Steel Company.

This, he said, followed its vital role in advancing the country’s technology sector.

Olu stressed need for inclusive governance to harness emerging technologies.

He spoke at the 20th edition of International Conference and Exhibition on Power and Telecommunications (ICEPT 2024) in Abuja, noting this will aid national development.

Olu, who noted the role of engineers as problem solvers, said since inception in 2005, the event has addressed national issues with a focus on providing innovative solutions.

He called for action to emphasise the need for government support in revitalising key industries to foster innovation and economic growth.

With its theme: “Issues of Governance and Emerging Technology Ecosystem in Nigeria,” the conference brought together key stakeholders to discuss how governance can support adoption of cutting-edge technologies.

“So we discovered that governance needs to look deeper into the emerging technologies ecosystem to work with professionals to make a difference in the problems we have.

“In every area of our challenges, there are technologies that can be integrated into providing solutions. But as long as governance is not carrying everybody along, governance is not broad enough to engage all stakeholders, we will continue to struggle with it.

“We must create policies and laws that facilitate progress in Nigeria, particularly in electronic and energy technologies, to harness their potential for our development,” he said.

He said technologies that can solve Nigeria’s challenges exist, but without collaboration between governance and professionals, progress will remain slow.

President of the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, and Director-General of National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Abisoye Coker, noted the need for regulatory reforms and implementation of digital identity systems to ensure Nigeria’s integration into the global technological landscape.

A communique is expected to inform future policies and legislation aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s technological and engineering sectors.