Former Osun deputy governor and ex-PDP National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has urged mechanical engineers to devise strategies aligned with the national budget to address Nigeria’s socio-economic woes.
Omisore, a Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE), stated this at the 15th Annual Mechanical Engineers Distinguished Lecture in Abuja.
His lecture, titled, “Imperative Mechanical Engineering Strategies for Socio-Economic Development Based on National Budget, Challenges and Potentials,” emphasised that the national budget remains ineffective without strategic implementation, a responsibility which he said rests on professionals, especially engineers.
“The budget, without innovative implementation strategies, would remain like the carcass of a vehicle, though with an engine of enormous capacity but without wheels,” he said.
Calling engineering a problem-solving field, Omisore urged mechanical engineers to lead solutions to Nigeria’s challenges.
Omisore decried Nigeria’s poverty, citing that over half of the population lives on less than ₦1,500 daily.
He urged engineers to drive industrialisation, enhance labour quality, and support policy reforms to boost GDP. On unemployment, especially among youth, he said engineers must create models to grow MSMEs and reduce social unrest.
He lamented Nigeria’s poor infrastructure, power supply, water systems, and environmental degradation, urging engineers to address these issues, including in the health, education, and security sectors.
“We must walk the talk as the Engineers-in-Society,” he said.
Omisore stressed that engineers must help convert oil and non-oil revenues into economic outputs via robotics, renewable energy, automotive design, and combustion systems.
He urged the use of agriculture and natural resources for engineering innovation.
On Nigeria’s poor power supply, he cited his postgraduate research on alternative energy, revealing that a first-generation university spends hundreds of millions on electricity monthly.
“Mechanical engineers must now rise to the challenge of developing solar-based solutions,” he advised.
He also called for adoption of CNG-powered vehicles and flare-gas engines, while maintaining existing systems.
Omisore called for upskilling young engineers in oil and gas, advocating safe equipment design and focus on pressurised systems.
He pushed for reviving local auto part production, brake pads, tyres, windscreens and adoption of microprocessor-controlled automotive tech.
He added that the aviation sector presents new opportunities in aircraft maintenance and repair.
He urged engineers to remain key players in infrastructure development, building services and maintenance.
He also called on local engineers to drive biomedical device innovation amid the forex crisis.
“Ongoing efforts in robotics and artificial intelligence must not only be sustained but further advanced,” he said.
Omisore concluded that Nigeria’s 2025 socio-economic goals are achievable if engineers take the lead.
“The Institution of Mechanical Engineers has a huge role to play in wheeling the country to the desired destination,” he said.
He called on policymakers to engage professionals and invest in education, human capital, and skills.
