By Agbafo Ijeoma
Renewed Hope Engineers, a professional group, has announced plans to take engineering and development discussions to communities across Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs). The initiative is aimed at ensuring that conversations on development are not concentrated in Abuja and other major cities but extend to communities where local challenges and development needs can be identified and addressed.
The National Coordinator of the group, Dr Atinuke Wuraola Owolabi, disclosed this in an Independence Day statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday. Owolabi said engineers and other technical professionals working in public institutions, local and state governments, private organisations and communities could serve as important points of professional engagement by connecting with community leaders and young Nigerians to identify local priorities and contribute practical solutions.
She said the group would also promote young Nigerians’ access to emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics, data science, AutoCAD, digital manufacturing, renewable energy and drone technology.
According to her, engineers would be encouraged to document infrastructure and development projects, recognise successful interventions and provide constructive professional input where improvements were needed, while also helping communities understand government programmes, opportunities and infrastructure initiatives that could benefit them.
Owolabi said Renewed Hope Engineers would participate in grassroots engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections by using its professional network to communicate documented developments and encourage civic participation.
She stressed that the group would focus on professional engagement rather than partisan politics, while urging engineers to move beyond boardrooms and construction sites to listen to communities, identify problems, provide solutions, mentor young people and support innovation.
The national coordinator commended President Bola Tinubu for what she described as infrastructure investments and economic reforms by the administration, saying engineers were ready to contribute their expertise to national development.
She called for infrastructure, digital opportunities and innovation to be taken closer to communities, stressing that Nigeria’s development required collaboration among professionals, businesses, communities, young people and citizens, with the group committed to service, innovation, professionalism and nation building.
