A Nigerian Agricultural University has used its fourth nternational engineering conference to issue a bold call for a dedicated national fund to drive engineering innovation, gathering scholars, policymakers and industry leaders from across Africa and beyond to confront some of the continent's most pressing development challenges.
The College of Engineering and Engineering Technology of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike held its 4th International Engineering Conference from 25 to 27 March 2026 at the University auditorium in Abia State. The three day event, themed "Engineering Innovations for a Resilient and Sustainable National Security, Food Value Chain, Energy, and Economic Advancement," brought together researchers, government officials, postgraduate and undergraduate students and industry experts from within and outside Nigeria to deliberate on the role of engineering in addressing national and global challenges.
The Vice Chancellor of MOUAU, Professor Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, challenged participants to move beyond academic debate and build partnerships across disciplines and borders, stressing the need to translate research outcomes into actionable solutions with tangible societal impact.
The keynote address was delivered by Engr. Mark Okoye, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the South East Development Commission, who called for significantly increased funding for research and development in engineering and technology. "Development must be deliberately engineered and cannot occur by chance," he said, making the case for structured investment rather than ad hoc intervention.
Abia State Deputy Governor Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, represented by the Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Professor Joel Ogbonna, commended the college for championing engineering innovation and urged participants to develop practical solutions to energy and food insecurity across Nigeria and sub Saharan Africa.
Notable participants included Dr. Lois Onyejere Nwobodo, Managing Director of the Scientific Equipment Development Institute; Engr. Valerie I. Agberagba, Deputy President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers; Professor J.C. Adama, National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers; and Professor Aru Eze Okereke, Mayor of Arochukwu Local Government Area.
At a time when Nigeria continues to import solutions to problems its own engineers are capable of solving, the MOUAU conference made a compelling case that what the sector lacks is not talent or ideas, but the sustained institutional funding needed to turn both into results.
