Works Ministry Equip Engineers for Quality Infrastructure Delivery — PS Engr Olufunsho Adebiyi
The Federal Ministry of Works has commenced a nationwide capacity-building initiative to equip its engineers, technologists, and technicians with critical skills needed to deliver safer and stronger roads across Nigeria.
Speaking at the opening of a three-day zonal training for the North Central region held at the Pavement Evaluation Unit in Sheda, Kwali Area Council of the FCT, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Olufunsho Adebiyi, said the programme is aimed at bridging capacity gaps and addressing generational shifts within the Ministry’s engineering workforce.
The training, approved by the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, and the Minister of State, Hon. Bello M. Goronyo, is part of a broader strategy to prepare younger professionals for leadership roles amid the exit of senior engineers due to retirement.
“The zonal approach allows for wider participation and efficient deployment of resources,” Adebiyi stated in his keynote address. “It also ensures practical and targeted training that addresses real-time infrastructure demands.”
The curriculum includes modules on highway and bridge design, project and contract management, quality assurance, and health and safety protocols. It also encourages multi-regional field postings to promote cross-functional exposure and versatility among engineers.
Emphasizing performance-based advancement in the modern public service, the Permanent Secretary revealed that a personnel audit has already been submitted to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to address recruitment needs. He called on young professionals to pursue self-development and remain committed to ethical and technical excellence.
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“Complacency has no place in the new dispensation. Let this training be a moral and professional reawakening,” Adebiyi declared.
The technical sessions featured senior Ministry officials delivering expert presentations. Engr. Olufemi Oyekanmi, speaking on “Effective Supervision of Federal Highway Projects,” highlighted the need for more manpower to manage Nigeria’s expanding project portfolio and urged discipline and resilience in the field.
Engr. C. Shausu delivered a lecture on “Effective Communication Skills,” stressing the importance of clarity and coordination for successful project execution, while Engr. A.A. Adebiyi presented a session on “Ensuring Safety in Project Sites,” advocating strict enforcement of safety protocols to safeguard lives and infrastructure.
Director of Highways, Planning and Development, Engr. David Yiltong Dechi, described the programme as a landmark in the Ministry’s renewed commitment to continuous professional development. “This is more than training—it is a call to service,” he said.
Participants praised the initiative as timely and transformative, noting that it offered valuable insights and practical strategies to enhance project implementation.
In a closing charge, Engr. Adebiyi urged attendees to recommit to excellence, uphold professional integrity, and embody the technical leadership expected of them. “Let this engagement reset our priorities and rekindle our pride as engineers,” he said.
A statement by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Mohammad Abdullahi Ahmed, noted that the training brought together diverse professionals for intensive sessions aligned with modern infrastructure demands.
The programme forms part of a broader national effort by the Ministry of Works to strengthen technical capacity, uphold professionalism, and ensure sustainable infrastructure development across the country.
By PRNigeria
