The executive secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Kaduna, Idris Bugaje, has identified a lack of practice and proper mentorship as challenges facing the engineering sector in the country.

Mr Bugaje made the statement on Wednesday in Sokoto during his keynote address at the 1st International Conference of the Faculty of Engineering and Environmental Studies, Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto.

Mr Bugaje cited notable infrastructural projects, including the Dangote Refinery in Lagos, which he claimed was designed by Indians; the Kaduna Refinery, designed by a Japanese firm; and two refineries in Port Harcourt, designed 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 hindering Nigeria’s industrialisation is the lack of stable electricity, noting that the supply has dropped to 22 watts per capita.

“Twenty years ago, South Africa had 270 watts per capita, Egypt had 400 watts per capita, and Europe had 1000 watts per capita, while Nigeria, in 2026, is still at about 22 watts per capita,” he said.

He argued that Nigeria can’t industrialise with the current level of electricity supply.

Mr Bugaje therefore urged policymakers, particularly state governors, to invest in decentralised renewable energy and to establish power plants to bridge this gap.

“So we need to go into decentralised solar-based power plants for our states. Fortunately, power is now in the concurrent list; federal and state governments have equal opportunity to invest in that sector,” he added.

The university’s vice-chancellor, Bashir Garba, described the conference as both timely and relevant. He said that across the world, climate change, environmental degradation, rapid urbanisation, 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)