The Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, has called on Nigerian engineers, professionals in the diaspora, innovators and international development partners to deploy their expertise and investments towards accelerating infrastructure development and Nigeria’s economic transformation.
Goronyo made the call while speaking at the 2026 UK Engineering Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, themed “Engineering Innovation for National Impact.”
He described engineering as a critical foundation for national development, economic growth and prosperity, stressing that Nigeria’s transformation would require innovation, professionalism and sustained investment in infrastructure.
The minister said quality road infrastructure remained a major driver of economic activity, as it facilitates the movement of people and goods, reduces transportation costs, creates jobs and strengthens trade.
“Roads lead to prosperity. They are not just pathways of asphalt and concrete; they are the arteries of commerce, agriculture and industry, carrying the lifeblood of our economy,” Goronyo said.
He said in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Abdullahi Mohammed that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had demonstrated strong commitment to infrastructure development through increased investments in road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance.
Goronyo identified the Federal Government’s flagship highway projects as strategic economic corridors designed to improve connectivity across the country and unlock new opportunities for trade and investment.
The projects, he said, include the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, the Trans-Sahara Trade Route (Calabar-Abuja), and the 1,100-kilometre Akwanga-Jos-Maiduguri Superhighway.
According to him, the projects go beyond the construction of roads, as they are intended to integrate communities, facilitate trade, strengthen regional connectivity and stimulate economic activities.
The minister also stressed the need for strict adherence to professional standards, regulatory requirements and accountability in the engineering sector.
He said the Federal Ministry of Works had endorsed the proactive regulatory approach of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), including stronger sanctions for professional misconduct, technical monitoring and enhanced professional development through the Engineering Residency Programme.
Goronyo added that the ministry, under the leadership of the Minister of Works, Engr. (Sen.) David Nweze Umahi, CON, was intensifying project audits and technical oversight to ensure that only qualified and duly registered professionals handled critical public infrastructure projects.
He urged Nigerian engineers to regard themselves as custodians of public safety and national development, saying engineering excellence must remain at the heart of efforts to deliver durable and sustainable infrastructure.
The minister further encouraged Nigerian engineers in the diaspora and international partners to contribute their expertise, innovations, investments and global experience to Nigeria’s development.
“Nigeria is open for business. Bring your talents, innovations and investments. Join us through Public-Private Partnerships, tax credit schemes and engineering collaborations. Together, we can build roads and bridges that do more than connect cities; they can connect dreams, aspirations, opportunities and prosperity,” he said.
Goronyo commended the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Glasgow Branch, for organising the conference and providing a platform for engineers and international professionals to exchange ideas on the role of engineering in national development.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to President Tinubu’s vision of a Nigeria where movement is seamless, logistics are efficient, infrastructure is sustainable and prosperity is widely shared.