- As NSE Asaba Branch Honours Oborevwori, Others
NIGERIAN engineers have been called upon to innovate and support the development and adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) as a means of generating revenue and fostering national growth.
This charge was made by industry stakeholders at the 31st Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Public Lecture of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Asaba Branch, which also included the induction of new members and awards to distinguished personalities including Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Speaking at the event, the National President of NSE, Engr. Margret Oguntala, represented by the Vice President for Collaboration and Linkages, Engr. (Dr.) Bemigho Ofoeyeno praised the Asaba Branch for its consistent contribution to public discourse and capacity-building among its members.
She emphasized the importance of the event’s theme, “The Proliferation of Electric Vehicle Production and Usage: A Wake-up Call for Nigeria and Nigerian Engineers,” urging engineers to position themselves to benefit from the global shift toward electric vehicles.
“The rapid proliferation of electric vehicles globally serves as a wake-up call for Nigerian engineers to prepare for a future where EVs dominate the automotive industry,” Oguntala noted, urging professionals in the field to ensure Nigeria remains competitive in the evolving global automotive landscape.
In her keynote address, Engr. (Dr.) Halimat Adediran outlined the environmental threats posed by fossil fuels and highlighted electric vehicles as a viable solution to climate change, given their ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. She also noted the potential for EVs to create jobs and new opportunities for engineers.
However, she pointed out several challenges facing the country, including a lack of expertise among Nigerian engineers in EV technology, insufficient infrastructure like charging stations, and the absence of a robust regulatory framework.
Despite these hurdles, Adediran encouraged Nigerian engineers to view these obstacles as opportunities, urging them to develop local supply chains for electric vehicle production, which would create employment opportunities for younger engineers and boost the nation’s economic growth.
Echoing these sentiments, the guest speaker, Engr. (Dr.) Sunny Sonny Ali, called on all levels of government to actively support the development and adoption of electric vehicles. He reiterated the benefits of EVs for the Nigerian economy and the importance of early engagement with this global trend.
The immediate past chairman of the NSE Asaba Branch, Engr. (Mrs.) Felicia Avwenaghagha, also spoke, underscoring the relevance of the discussion on EV proliferation. She noted that the theme was timely, as it explored both opportunities and potential challenges for Nigeria in the shift to electric vehicles.
Avwenaghagha expressed optimism about the future, stating that the newly elected branch executives would build on the success of their predecessors to move the Asaba Branch to greater heights.
She concluded by expressing gratitude to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his administration’s efforts in infrastructure development across Delta State.
