The Federal Ministry of Works has kicked off a zonal training programme aimed at equipping engineers, technologists, and technicians with the technical expertise required to deliver safer and more durable roads across Nigeria.
The three-day training, which began on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, is taking place at the Pavement Evaluation Unit in Sheda, Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory. The programme targets professionals from the North Central zone and is part of a broader nationwide initiative approved by the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, CON.
According to a press statement issued by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammad Abdullahi Ahmed, the capacity-building programme is a strategic response to the widening technical gaps in the ministry, driven by the retirement of senior engineers and the expected exit of more experienced personnel within the year.
Declaring the event open, the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Olufunsho Adebiyi, FNSE, said the training was designed not only to refresh core technical skills but also to realign the Ministry’s workforce with the evolving demands of national infrastructure delivery. He noted that decentralizing the training to zonal levels ensures broader participation and efficient resource use.
Engr. Adebiyi stressed the need for engineers to gain diverse field experience through rotational postings, cautioning that long-term stationing in a single location could hinder professional growth. “Growth thrives in motion,” he said. “Remaining too long in one place can dull a professional’s edge.”
He also revealed that a comprehensive personnel audit had been conducted and submitted to the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, as part of efforts to address manpower shortages. The Permanent Secretary urged younger professionals to embrace competence, self-improvement, and ethical discipline as prerequisites for success in a performance-based public service system.
Discipline, he added, remains non-negotiable, affirming that the Ministry will continue to uphold existing civil service rules and disciplinary frameworks across all cadres.
The training featured a range of expert-led sessions. Engr. Olufemi Oyekanmi, PhD, delivered a presentation on “Effective Supervision of Federal Highway Projects,” highlighting the urgent need for more manpower and urging engineers to remain committed to excellence despite operational constraints. Engr. C. Shausu facilitated a session on “Effective Communication Skills,” emphasizing collaboration and coordination in project execution. Engr. A.A. Adebiyi, in his presentation on “Ensuring Safety in Project Sites,” stressed the importance of enforcing safety protocols to protect lives and national infrastructure.
Director of Highways, Planning and Development, Engr. David Yiltong Dechi, described the initiative as a testament to the Ministry’s dedication to professional development. He encouraged participants to return to their duty posts with a renewed sense of purpose and technical responsibility.
Participants described the sessions as enlightening, timely, and relevant to the practical challenges they face in the field. Many noted that the training provided a fresh perspective on best practices and areas for improvement.
In his closing remarks, the Permanent Secretary urged participants to treat the training as more than a routine exercise. “Let this not be another workshop. Let it be a turning point. We must rise above mediocrity and recommit to our calling as engineers,” he charged.
The Ministry stated that the North Central training is part of a series of regional workshops aimed at building internal capacity and ensuring that Nigeria’s infrastructure development is driven by a technically sound, disciplined, and future-ready workforce.
