FG Calls on Foreign-Trained Experts to Drive Aviation and Technological Advancement
The Federal Government has issued a compelling appeal to Nigerian professionals who received their education in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, urging them to leverage their specialized skills to address challenges within the aviation sector and propel the nation's technological progress. This call was articulated during the Soyuznik Alumni National Congress, held in Abuja on Friday, an event that brought together Nigerian graduates from the USSR and Eastern Europe under the theme "Engineering Nigeria’s Future: From Education to Industrial Power."
Minister Keyamo Emphasizes Human Capital in Aviation Hub Ambition
In a keynote address delivered by Asotibe Lambert, Director of Research and Statistics at the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, on behalf of Minister Festus Keyamo, it was stressed that Nigeria can no longer afford to overlook its vast reservoir of highly trained engineers and technical experts. The Minister highlighted that the government's vision to establish Nigeria as a premier aviation hub in Africa hinges significantly on skilled human capital, rather than relying solely on infrastructure development.
"You represent a massive, underutilised reservoir of technical excellence," Lambert conveyed, noting that many alumni possess critical expertise in fields such as aerospace engineering, metallurgy, and advanced physics. He elaborated on the ministry's initiatives to create world-class Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, aimed at reducing dependency on foreign nations for aircraft servicing, with local expertise playing a central role in this endeavor.
Additionally, efforts to modernize Nigeria's airspace through satellite-based navigation and digital ground operations were underscored. Lambert encouraged the alumni to move beyond nostalgic reflections and actively apply their technical discipline to devise practical solutions for national challenges. "My ministry is open to partnership. We need your mentorship, your consultancy and your experience to build a stronger aviation sector," he affirmed.
NIGCOMSAT Stresses Alignment of Education with Digital Age
In a related presentation, Jane Egerton-Idehen, Managing Director of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), represented by Deputy General Manager of Innovation, Engr. Ikechukwu Amalu, emphasized the critical need to synchronize Nigeria's education system with contemporary technological realities. She argued that bridging the gap between academic knowledge and industrial productivity requires embedding digital skills and innovation into the educational framework.
"To truly engineer Nigeria’s future, we must align our educational institutions with the demands of the digital age, where technologies like artificial intelligence, satellite communications and data science are redefining industries," Egerton-Idehen stated. She described digital infrastructure as equally vital as physical infrastructure, labeling connectivity as the "new oxygen" of economic growth.
Satellite technology, she noted, remains essential for bridging connectivity gaps, particularly in underserved communities, while also bolstering sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, and national security. Egerton-Idehen highlighted ongoing NIGCOMSAT initiatives, including the 774 Connectivity Project, broadband deployment to state ICT centres, and partnerships in digital broadcasting, revealing that the organization currently supports over half of Nigeria's broadcasters.
Furthermore, she stressed that innovation must be fostered through collaboration among government, academia, and the private sector. The agency's Space Accelerator Programme has already aided thousands of startups within Nigeria's emerging technology ecosystem. "Every innovation must have a pathway to commercialisation. That is how we move from ideas to industrial power," she concluded.
Alumni Congress Rekindles Bonds for National Development
Earlier in the event, Dr. Agu Collins Agu, Chairman of the Abuja branch of the association, characterized the congress as more than a routine gathering, describing it as a reunion of minds shaped by shared academic and cultural experiences across Eastern Europe. "This is not just a congress; it is a rekindling of bonds and a strengthening of a community that has stood the test of time," Agu remarked.
He pointed out that beyond electing new leadership, the alumni platform provides an opportunity to channel collective expertise into national development initiatives. Participants unanimously agreed that Nigeria's trajectory toward industrial growth depends on its capacity to harness human capital, especially professionals with specialized foreign training, while concurrently modernizing the education system to meet current technological demands.
