Tinubu Launches NEIF to Tackle Nigeria’s Infrastructure Challenges

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, announced the establishment of the National Engineering and Innovation Fund (NEIF) to accelerate the provision of grants and resources to engineers and technologists working to solve Nigeria’s  infrastructure challenges.

Speaking in Abuja at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Engineering Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the president stated that the fund aims to support local innovations and ensure that Nigeria remains at the forefront of engineering advancement in Africa.

The event which was themed: “Sustainable Engineering Solutions to Food Security and Climate Change,” he said, could not be more relevant, given that engineering sits at the heart of progress in today’s world.

Besides, the president who was represented by the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, noted that through partnership with educational institutions and private sector stakeholders, the federal government was working to enhance technical training to improve engineering curriculum, and provide hands-on experience.

“We are also committed to supporting Nigerian engineers by creating an environment that fosters innovation. I am proud to announce the establishment of the National Engineering and Innovation Fund (NEIF).

“This is a new initiative designed to provide grants and resources to engineers and technologists working on solutions for Nigeria’s unique challenges.

“With this fund, we aim to support local innovations, encourage entrepreneurship, and ensure that Nigeria remains at the forefront of engineering advancement in Africa as well as strengthening regulations and standards,” Tinubu said.

The president said his administration recognises the importance of upholding and enforcing stringent standards across all engineering projects, promising to work closely with the NSE and other regulatory bodies to ensure that only licensed, qualified professionals are entrusted with critical national projects.

Describing engineers as not just builders, but problem solvers, creators, and the architects of the future, Tinubu pointed out that Nigeria was fortunate to have some of the finest engineers.

“One of the foremost priorities of our administration is to build and maintain resilient infrastructure that meets the demands of our growing population and a dynamic economy.

“We cannot achieve our vision for Nigeria without roads that connect communities, bridges that stand the test of time, and facilities that support industries.

“To this end, our government is committed to significantly increasing investment in infrastructure projects, not only in urban city centres, but also in rural communities that are often overlooked. But infrastructure is the only piece of the puzzle for our mission to thrive.

“We need a robust industrial sector that competes on a global scale. We are implementing policies that encourage industrialisation, support local manufacturing, and create opportunities for engineers to innovate and thrive. Promoting sustainable energy solutions,” he added.

He noted that energy remains the backbone of any economy, stressing that government was working on an ambitious plan to expand the energy grid, invest in renewable energy sources, and reduce Nigeria’s dependency on fossil fuels.

“We aim to build a resilient energy sector that not only powers homes and industries, but also protects our environment for future generations,” the Nigerian leader added.

In his keynote address, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said that Tinubu has not left anyone in doubt about his administration’s priority on food security evident in his support to the agricultural sector.

He argued that the effect of climate change has been felt in virtually every facet of human existence, from agriculture to security to environment and health, with agricultural production being the worst hit.

“With agriculture playing a significant role in Nigeria’s economy contributing as of the first quarter of 2024, 30 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with a growth of 0.18 per cent, the sector remains crucial for providing livelihoods to many Nigerians, especially in rural areas,” he said.

He added that Nigeria has over 84 million hectares of arable land, yet only about 1.6 million hectares are irrigated, leaving the rest reliant on unpredictable rainfall.

In addition, he mentioned poor road networks in rural areas, which account for 70 per cent of Nigeria’s agriculture, as a major factor hindering the transportation of produce from farms to markets, raising costs and reducing accessibility for consumers.

Also speaking, Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana  Zulum, called on the NSE and members of the engineering family to invest in research in the areas of irrigation, food cultivation, water harvesting, mechanisation, environmental degradation, among others, in order to boost food production.

In her remarks, the President of the NSE, Margaret Oguntala, said that the NSE was championing the adoption of renewable energy by partnering with key stakeholders to integrate solar, wind, and bioenergy solutions across industries.

Through strategic collaboration with the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), she said the group has established demonstration farms in the six geopolitical zones.

Besides, Oguntala, the first NSE president in over 66 years, noted that the society has mobilised public and private partnerships to implement eco-friendly initiatives and build capacity in green technologies, aligning with global best practices. 

She explained that food insecurity remains a critical issue, exacerbated by climate change, which disrupts agricultural productivity and endangers livelihoods.

 Emmanuel Addeh

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