In a significant move to improve engineering research and education across Nigeria The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), in collaboration along with MIDAS Information Technology from India has provided modern civil engineering software to fifteen Nigerian Universities.
The ceremony of handover which took place on Abuja’s National Engineering Centre in Abuja marks an important step in the nation’s drive towards technological innovation, digital learning and professional development in the field of engineering.
Strengthening Engineering Education
At the event, NSE’s President NSE Engr. Margaret Oguntala, described the donation as a vital measure to bridge the gap between instruction in classrooms and real-world application.
“This partnership marks a new chapter for Nigerian engineering education,” Oguntala stated. “It will equip universities with modern tools that enhance research, strengthen technical competence, and prepare students to compete globally.”
She praised the MIDAS IT for its dedication to support African institutions of higher learning and stressed that the initiative is in line with NSE’s larger goal to promote high-quality academics and a broader relevance to industry.
Oguntala was also calling on institutions that will benefit from the software to make maximum usage of software to the advancement of research and teaching and said that collaborations are vital to creating engineers who are globally competitive..
A Step Toward Indigenous Innovation
Prof. Michael Faborode, former Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and the Chairman of the NSE Policy Think Tank Committee He praised Oguntala’s leadership as well as his ability to see the bigger picture in driving the initiative.
“This is more than a donation; it’s a foundation for innovation,” said the president declared. “We must now challenge our universities to develop indigenous software solutions that address Nigeria’s unique infrastructural challenges.”
Faborode said that partnerships like these could help decrease dependence on foreign technologies, while placing Nigerian universities as key contributors to the global knowledge of engineering.
Global Collaboration for Local Impact
Ravi Kiran Anne Director of India/Africa/Middle Eastern Support for Business Support at MidAS IT, explained that the gift was motivated by the conviction that the availability of modern digital tools can help students unlock their imagination and increase their problem-solving capability.
“Our goal is to empower the next generation of engineers with the tools to design, analyze, and innovate solutions that transform their communities,” the engineer said.
The software applications are created to assist in areas, such as modeling of structures, projects as well as 3D modeling of design to help students develop practical skills that are in line with international industry standards.
UI Empowers 39 Young Entrepreneurs
In a similar change in a related development, University of Ibadan (UI) has awarded grants of N100,000 up and up to N500,000 to 39 entrepreneurs in the midst of their careers which reinforces its role as a catalyst for development as well as economic development.
The grants were awarded in the two-day SME Fair with the theme “Inspiring Next-Gen SMEs: Igniting Ideas, Innovations, and Building Resilience.”
In the speech The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale. UI Prof. Kayode Adebowale–represented by Prof. Juwon Arotiba, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)–highlighted the importance of nurturing young business leaders and innovators.
“This fair is where knowledge meets opportunity, and innovation translates into tangible impact,” he added.
He said that UI’s constant support of entrepreneurship is a testament to its determination to produce graduates who are capable of stimulating the Nigerian small and medium enterprise (SME) segment.
Conclusion
The collaboration with and the Nigerian Society of Engineers and MIDAS IT highlights how important it is to have international collaboration to improve STEM training across Nigeria.
In supplying universities with the latest software tools and encouraging local innovations, this initiative is an important step towards an engineering education that is digitally driven.
In conjunction together with U. of Ibadan’s grant for entrepreneurs and initiatives, these programs signal an increasing synergy between technology, education, and business which is essential to build an robust, thriving Nigerian economic system.