UNILORIN tasks Engineers on home-grown solutions to tackle Nigeria’s challenges
* As over 300 Research Papers take centre stage at FETICON 2026
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The University of Ilorin has called on engineers, researchers and technology experts to spearhead the development of innovative home-grown solutions capable of addressing Nigeria’s persistent socio-economic challenges and accelerating national development.
The call was made at the opening of the 4th Faculty of Engineering and Technology International Conference (FETICON 2026), where stakeholders stressed the need for engineering-driven innovations to tackle issues ranging from security and healthcare to energy, agriculture and economic growth.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole (SAN), Prof. Muhtar Etudaye described engineering as the backbone of sustainable development, noting that no nation has attained meaningful progress without a strong engineering sector.
“Our country faces challenges, some of which we have dealt with for decades, while others are emerging challenges. We need not only traditional engineering solutions but also new adaptive solutions to address them,” he said.
Etudaye noted that the Faculty of Engineering and Technology has continued to contribute significantly to the university’s growth through the quality of graduates it produces and the impact of its research activities.
He highlighted the increasing relevance of technology in addressing contemporary security concerns, citing the growing use of drones for surveillance and life-saving operations.
“We have suddenly realised that the place of drones has moved from entertainment and recording ceremonies to actually saving lives through security surveillance and other critical operations. Engineering stands at the core of this,” he added.
The conference, themed “Innovating for a Sustainable and Resilient Future: Technology as a Catalyst for Economic Development,” attracted academics, researchers, industry experts, development partners and students from within and outside Nigeria.
In her welcome address, Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Prof. Temitope Elizabeth Odetoye, revealed that the conference received more than 300 accepted research papers, reflecting growing global interest in technology-driven solutions for sustainable development.
“It gladdens my heart that the carefully selected theme for FETICON 2026 has attracted over 300 high-quality accepted papers. The expected outcomes are to promote sustainable and innovative solutions for economic development in our countries and globally,” she said.
Odetoye described FETICON as a strategic platform for collaboration among researchers, policymakers and industry leaders, expressing optimism that the conference would generate practical ideas capable of transforming industries and creating employment opportunities.
“My hope is that this conference will inspire innovation, produce practical solutions, strengthen partnerships and stimulate economic development in Nigeria and beyond,” she stated.
Also speaking, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Prof. Joshua Olanrewaju Olaoye, said the institution is prioritising the commercialisation of research outputs to ensure that academic innovations translate into real-life solutions that benefit society.
According to him, discussions at the conference would focus on critical areas such as climate-resilient agriculture, cybersecurity, smart energy systems, healthcare technologies, alternative transportation fuels and advanced materials.
“This year’s theme reflects our shared responsibility to innovate within our context and leverage homegrown ideas and tools for long-term impact,” Olaoye said.
The Dean disclosed that the faculty would host the second edition of its Tech Trade Fair and Research Products Industrial Summit in partnership with the Laboratory to Product Centre (LABTOP), aimed at promoting industry adoption of research outcomes.
He also highlighted achievements recorded by the faculty, including the establishment of the FETUILS TechHub, development of environmentally friendly products and ongoing work on electric vehicle modelling and charging station infrastructure.
“Our research and innovations must not only contribute to academic knowledge but also have practical applications that impact society. The aim is to create pathways for the commercialisation of academic projects, driving economic growth and societal progress,” he said.
As the conference concluded, organisers expressed confidence that ideas generated during the sessions would contribute to industrial growth, economic resilience and sustainable development in Nigeria and across Africa.
Delivering the vote of thanks, FETICON Secretary, Dr. Suleiman Abimbola Yahaya, commended participants, sponsors and industry partners for supporting the conference’s objectives.
“We hope that the ideas shared, collaborations built and innovations discussed here will translate into practical solutions that advance sustainable development, industrial growth, economic resilience and national transformation,” Yahaya said.
He noted that partnerships involving industry players such as NNPC Limited, TotalEnergies, IHS Towers and DEM Controls are already contributing to research commercialisation, innovation and capacity development within the university.
The conference featured keynote presentations from renowned engineering scholars from Ethiopia and the United States, alongside technical sessions, exhibitions and networking engagements designed to strengthen technology-driven development initiatives across the continent.
