Media Talk Africa: Latest Headlines in Politics, Business, Sports, and More

Nigeria is facing a significant infrastructure challenge, with an estimated $3 trillion investment required to meet the needs of its rapidly growing population of over 200 million people. This revelation was made by Engr. Bola Mudashiru, the Deputy National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Highway and Transportation Engineers (NIHTE), during a mentorship and scholarship program organized by NIHTE in collaboration with the Civil Engineering Department of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).

According to Engr. Mudashiru, Nigeria’s construction industry has a substantial market size, ranging from $26.9 billion to $40.3 billion, which accounts for approximately 9% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, the country’s infrastructure stock is currently estimated at only 30% of GDP, highlighting significant infrastructure gaps that need to be addressed. To bridge this gap, the government is making efforts to boost infrastructure development through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) incentives, encouraging civil engineers to acquire new skills and overcome geographical constraints to excel in their careers.

The importance of civil engineering in shaping human civilization and Nigeria’s future was also emphasized by Engr. Mudashiru, who advised students to develop skills, assess their interests, connect with professionals, and consider job outlook and salary potentials. This sentiment was echoed by Prof. T.O Chime, the Dean of the Faculty, who described civil engineering as a noble profession with immense promise and commended NIHTE for its generosity in extending the benefits of the mentorship and scholarship program to the department.

The partnership between NIHTE and ESUT has been praised for its contributions to improving road infrastructure, with Dr. Celestine Odenigbo, the Head of Department of Civil Engineering at ESUT, expressing gratitude for the collaboration and looking forward to further cooperation. Prof. C.C. Ike, a Foundation Engineering Expert and former Head of Department, also emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships with NIHTE to enhance the Highway and Traffic division within the Civil Engineering program at both graduate and postgraduate levels, ultimately bridging the gap between academia and industry.

The mentorship and scholarship program aimed to shape the next generation of civil engineers, with Engr. Achi Chigozie, Chairman of NIHTE’s Enugu Chapter, advising students to excel academically and professionally while upholding the values of the profession and contributing positively to society. As Nigeria strives to meet its infrastructure demands, the role of civil engineers will be crucial in shaping the country’s future, and initiatives like this program will play a vital part in developing the skills and expertise needed to drive progress.