By Emmanuella Oghenetega
The Federal Ministry of Works, under the leadership of the Minister, Engr. David Umahi, and the Minister of State, Bello M. Goronyo, has organised a three-day zonal capacity-building training for engineers, technologists, and technicians in the North Central zone.
As part of this initiative, the training commenced on Tuesday, 24th June 2025 at the Pavement Evaluation Unit, Sheda, Kwali Area Council, the FCT, where participants gathered for intensive knowledge-sharing and technical skills enhancement tailored to the evolving demands of modern infrastructure delivery.
In his keynote address, the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Olufunsho Adebiyi, emphasised that the programme, approved by the Minister, aims to address the widening generational and capacity gaps caused by the recent retirement of a significant number of senior engineers and the anticipated exit of more within the year.
He noted that organising the training on a zonal basis ensures efficient resource management while encouraging broader participation across the federation.
The training refreshes core competencies in highway and bridge design, project and contract management, and applicable quality assurance procedures, while promoting cross-functional exposure to develop versatile, all-around professionals.
Highlighting the importance of dynamic field experience, the Permanent Secretary underscored the need to rotate engineers across different regions and departments, stating that long-term stay in a single location or unit limits professional growth and technical adaptability.
Addressing the recruitment gap within the service, he explained that a comprehensive personnel audit had been conducted and submitted to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for further consideration. He also called on young professionals to invest in self-development and embrace competence as a prerequisite for employability in a modern public service environment, where performance now drives progression.
The technical sessions featured expert-led lectures, including “Effective Supervision of Federal Highway Projects” by Engr. Olufemi Oyekanmi, emphasised the urgency of addressing workforce overload and called for increased manpower to support the rising volume of national projects, while urging field engineers to uphold discipline and deliver consistently despite constraints.
In his closing remarks, the Permanent Secretary reminded participants that the training was not merely academic, but a moral and professional awakening. He called on engineers to recommit to excellence, uphold ethical standards, and demonstrate the technical leadership the Ministry represents. “Let this engagement reset our priorities and rekindle our pride as engineers. We must rise above complacency- we must deliver,” he charged.
