The National Association of Technologists in Engineering has announced a strategic collaboration with Yaba College of Technology to host the 2025 Technology Conference in Lagos.

The conference, scheduled to take place from November 12 to 14 at the Digital Bridge Institute in Oshodi, is expected to attract technologists, academics, industry leaders, and policymakers from across the country.

Speaking in Lagos on Wednesday, Yabatech rector, Ibrahim Abdul, said the partnership would provide significant support for the conference and strengthen Nigeria’s technology ecosystem.

Mr Abdul assured that the institution was committed to ensuring the success of the programme by providing logistics and mobilising its staff for active participation.

“We are 100 per cent in support of the forthcoming conference by NATE. Being here in Lagos, we are ready to give them all possible support to ensure that the conference is a success,” Mr Abdul said.

The rector noted that the collaboration was timely, describing it as a step that would deepen the relationship between academia and industry.

NATE national general secretary, Kayode Ibidapo, commended Yabatech for its historical role as the cradle of engineering education in Nigeria. According to him, the institution has remained a symbol of practical, skill-based training since its establishment in 1948.

He explained that the forthcoming conference would provide a platform for technologists to present innovative solutions, while encouraging students to embrace professionalism and contribute to societal needs through production.

“We want graduates who can stand on their own without waiting for white-collar jobs. This collaboration is about building young technologists who can go into production and make Nigeria better,” he added.

Mr Ibidapo lamented Nigeria’s heavy dependence on imports, saying it was undermining national development.

The NATE scribe also revealed that the conference would feature an exhibition of Nigerian-made machines and innovations to showcase local capacity. He listed some of the machines designed by Nigerian technologists, including a coconut de-shelling machine, a castor oil extractor, a butter-making machine, and a tiger nut processing machine.

Mr Ibidapo stressed that NATE’s mission was to encourage knowledge sharing between professionals and academic institutions while inspiring students to apply their training to solve real-life problems.

(NAN)