The Federal Government has launched an initiative to boost Nigeriaโs engineering and construction sectors by commissioning a state-of-the-art Asphalt Testing and Material Characterization Laboratory at the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute.
The ceremony also included the handover of advanced construction testing equipment to six federal universities across Nigeria.
During the commissioning event held in Abuja on Wednesday the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, emphasised the importance of this investment in enhancing educational infrastructure and research capabilities.
โThis initiative is more than just an investment in physical infrastructureโit is a tangible demonstration of our commitment to education, research, and national development,โ Nnaji stated.
The minister highlighted that the project aligns with President Bola Tinubuโs Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to empower institutions and foster innovation.
โThis commissioning aligns with the administrationโs 8-point agenda, particularly by promoting sustainable infrastructure, enabling job creation, and deepening economic growth through knowledge-driven solutions,โ he noted.
The new facilities are designed to support research that can lead to more durable and cost-effective infrastructure, crucial for Nigeriaโs ongoing development challenges.
โThrough this project, we are equipping our educational institutions to nurture a new generation of engineers, researchers, and innovators who will provide homegrown solutions to Nigeriaโs infrastructural challenges,โ Nnaji explained.
The minister also underscored the initiativeโs role in youth empowerment and economic growth.
โBy empowering students and researchers, we are creating a future workforce capable of driving innovation and industrial growth,โ he stated, reinforcing the administrationโs commitment to sustainable development.
In a call to action for the beneficiary universities, Nnaji urged them to maximize the potential of the new resources.
โUtilize this equipment to its fullest potential, not just for academic purposes but as a catalyst for real-world solutions that benefit both the academic community and our nation,โ he said.
The event was marked by an expression of gratitude towards the NBRRI for its efforts in advancing research capabilities within the country.
โTodayโs achievement would not have been possible without the relentless efforts of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute,โ Nnaji remarked.
He said the launch of the Asphalt Testing and Material Characterization Laboratory represents a pivotal moment for Nigeriaโs educational and technological landscape, with hopes that it will inspire a new era of collaboration and discovery among researchers and institutions.
The minister called for collective action towards a technologically advanced Nigeria.
โPolicymakers, researchers, engineers, and students alike must collaborate to build the Nigeria we envisionโa nation where science, technology, and engineeringt are at the forefront of global innovation.
