The Federal Government has reiterated that Nigeria’s food security and industrial competitiveness depend largely on engineering-led solutions, stressing that mechanisation, irrigation, storage, and agro-processing infrastructure are critical to improving productivity and reducing post-harvest losses.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, stated this in Abuja on Saturday at the inauguration of the 17th National Chairman and executive committee of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE).
Kyari said Nigeria’s push for food sufficiency and economic stability would remain elusive without the deliberate application of engineering expertise across agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, and security systems. He described food security as a national security issue, noting that insecurity continues to disrupt farming, processing, logistics, and access to markets.
According to him, engineering-driven interventions such as farm mechanisation, irrigation networks, agro-processing facilities, and modern storage systems would not only raise output but also stimulate rural economies, create jobs, and ease socio-economic pressures that fuel insecurity.
The minister said the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is prioritising food sufficiency, industrialisation, local manufacturing, and human capital development, adding that engineering capacity is central to achieving these goals.
“Professional bodies like NIMechE have a responsibility to provide solutions that are locally grounded and aligned with national development priorities,” Kyari said, urging closer collaboration between engineers, government, industry, and academia.
Nigeria continues to face rising food inflation, weak industrial output, and security challenges, largely driven by low mechanisation, inadequate infrastructure, and limited manufacturing capacity. In agriculture, poor access to equipment and inefficient storage systems have contributed to low yields and high losses, while the industrial sector remains import-dependent due to gaps in engineering capacity.
Speaking at the event, President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Ali Rabiu, said mechanical and energy engineering form the backbone of industrial development, calling for stronger focus on research, standards, and capacity building.
In his inaugural address, Babagana Modu Tela, the new National Chairman of NIMechE, described his election as a call to service and pledged to reposition the institution as a driver of innovation and inclusion. He outlined priorities including policy advocacy, professional development, youth mentorship, and standards enforcement.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, Major General Babatunde Alaya, highlighted the role of indigenous engineering in strengthening national security through local production of defence equipment.
