By Law Ibitoye
The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has urged Nigerian youths to look beyond academic certificates and embrace practical skills, innovation and entrepreneurship as pathways to personal advancement and national development.
The call was made at the 2026 Engineering Week public lecture, where the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Engr. Dr. Temitope John Alake, spoke on the theme, “Re-envisioning Nigeria: Leadership, Innovation and Youth-Driven Development in a Dynamic World.”
Alake said Nigeria must urgently move away from overdependence on crude oil and embrace a decentralised, digital and knowledge-driven economy. He described the country’s youthful population as a major economic asset, stressing that with proper training, empowerment and opportunities, young people could drive innovation, create jobs and contribute significantly to national economic growth.
The Rector urged youths to take advantage of opportunities in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, fintech and digital services, noting that the Fourth Industrial Revolution had made continuous learning and practical competence increasingly important. He also called on government and stakeholders to support youth entrepreneurship through grants, start-up parks, mentorship and policies that would remove barriers to innovation.
The keynote speaker, Engr. Dr. Oluwadare Joshua Oyebode of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, stressed the need for visionary and accountable leadership focused on long-term national development. He advocated greater youth participation in policymaking and stronger collaboration among government, industries, professional bodies, academic institutions and communities to achieve sustainable development.
The NSE Chairman, Engr. Omotola Alawode, commended Alake for the lecture, urging youths to move beyond the pursuit of certificates and quick financial gains by developing practical skills and building sustainable businesses. Participants, including Federal Polytechnic student Adeoye Michael Ayomide and Comrade Adebayo Kayode, described the lecture as insightful and beneficial. The event ended with awards to Alake, Oyebode and Architect EyiTope Gabriel Ajayi for their contributions to leadership, engineering and youth development.
