The General Manager, Market Operations at the Nigerian Electricity Market, Ali Bukar Ahmad, has called on Nigerian engineers to harness the vast biomass resources in the Northwest, which account for over 80% of the region’s renewable energy potential.
Speaking at the Annual Memorial Lecture in honour of late Engr. Ibrahim Khaleel Inuwa, Ahmad explained that biomass derived from agricultural residues, animal waste, and other organic matter, offers a sustainable and reliable alternative to fossil fuels. With the Northwest’s strong agricultural base, he noted, these resources are abundant, renewable, and capable of providing a consistent energy supply while reducing environmental pollution.
“If properly harnessed, biomass could power rural communities, support agro-industries, and significantly cut dependency on costly fossil-based electricity,” he said. Ahmad urged the conduct of a comprehensive survey across Northwest states to identify the most viable biomass options for each location, stressing that such a targeted approach would maximise impact and ensure long-term sustainability.
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In his remarks, the Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Engr. Prof. Okorie Austine Uchegusi, stressed the importance of appointing certified engineers to leadership positions in engineering-related agencies and parastatals. He argued that matching engineering responsibilities with the right expertise is vital to reversing persistent infrastructural failures and curbing unprofessional practices in project execution.
“Putting certified COREN engineers at the helm of engineering institutions is one major step towards solving the problems of dilapidated infrastructure, recurring project failures, and lack of technical competence,” he stated.
Prof. Uchegusi expressed concern over the increasing number of young Nigerian engineering graduates leaving for opportunities abroad due to limited recognition and lack of meaningful projects at home. “It is disheartening to see our young talents contributing to other nations’ development when their expertise is desperately needed here. If we continue to deny them opportunities, we are only pushing them further away,” he lamented.
He pledged to restore the dignity and integrity of the profession, adding that recurring engineering disasters such as building collapses and frequent failures in the national grid could be drastically reduced if certified professionals were appointed to relevant positions.
Delivering a virtual address, the Executive Vice Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Khalil Sulaiman Halilu, reaffirmed the agency’s readiness to support, strengthen, and champion engineering-driven development across the country. He emphasised that NASENI’s mandate goes beyond policy advocacy, encompassing direct intervention in research, technology deployment, and capacity building. According to him, the agency is committed to forging strategic partnerships with engineering institutions, state governments, and private investors to accelerate industrial growth, modernise infrastructure, and enhance Nigeria’s technological competitiveness.
On his part, chairman of the Kabuga Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Prof. Ibrahim Abdullahi, said the annual remembrance was organised to celebrate the enduring legacy of late Engr. I.K Inuwa, whose vision and contributions continue to inspire the engineering profession in Nigeria. He noted that Inuwa’s leadership style, commitment to mentorship, and his advocacy for professional excellence set a benchmark for future generations. Prof. Abdullahi added that the Kabuga Branch remains committed to advancing the profession through regular training, collaborative research, and proactive community engagement values deeply rooted in the principles that Engr. Inuwa championed.
His son, Umar Ibrahim Khaleel Inuwa, described him as a pioneer in engineering and human capital development. “This gathering reminds us to live a life of impact, so that one day, others will remember our contributions,” he said.
The remembrance ceremony also saw the induction of 55 new engineers into the Kabuga Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, further strengthening the branch’s professional community and ensuring a continuous pipeline of skilled professionals committed to national development.
Late Engr. Ibrahim Khaleel Inuwa, honoured at the event, was instrumental in establishing key engineering institutions during his lifetime, leaving a legacy that remains foundational to the advancement of engineering in Nigeria.
