–NAE President, Prof Bello

By Nick Ibe, Abuja

The proposed mandatory one-year Engineering Residency Programme by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has been welcomed because it will enhance skill competence and make engineers more attractive as well as employable. This is the view of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, NAE.

This was disclosed by President of the Academy, Prof. Rahamon Bello, while speaking to journalists ahead of its apex event, which includes investiture of past Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, as the 14th President of the NAE, its 2026 NAE yearly lecture, presentation of Lifetime Achievement Awards to 10 fellows and induction of 12 new honorary fellows, to be held in Lagos.

The proposed Engineering Residency Programme (ERP), when operational in Nigeria, will be a mandatory, one-year post-graduation training initiative to be anchored by COREN, designed for fresh engineering graduates to build practical, industry-aligned skills and complete professional requirements before proceeding to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

He said the residency programme, which has received the blessings of NAE, National Universities Commission (NUC) and other stakeholders, is the right way to deepen the competence of budding engineers in the country.

Bello explained further that the new curriculum the NUC had just come up with has allowed universities to engage external industry stakeholders to add value to the theoretical aspects of what engineering students are learning. In his words:

“I think the new curriculum will formalise internships for engineers. It hasn’t come up yet, but I believe that’s the way we have to go. So, as doctors go on internship, pharmacists go on internship, engineers will not be left out,” he said.

Bello, who is also the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, said the Academy has officially submitted critical advocacy papers to the Federal Government, offering actionable engineering solutions to deep-seated national crises. According to him, the NAE has also been active in fulfilling its mandate as a think-tank for the engineering sector by organising strategic policy dialogues on engineering solutions for energy, efficient and profitable operation of the nation’s refineries, transportation, wastewater management, environmental stability and climate change, among others.

Innovation often begins with solving problems that others consider impossible. For Dr Robert Sola Okojie, a Nigerian-born engineer and inventor, that pursuit has led to a career spanning more than two decades at Nasa and groundbreaking contributions to space technology.

After 21 years at Nasa and securing 21 US patents, he was inducted into the Nasa Inventors Hall of Fame in November 2020, becoming one of the agency’s most distinguished innovators. His pioneering work on silicon carbide-based microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) has enabled electronic devices to operate in some of the harshest environments imaginable, supporting future missions in space exploration, advanced engineering, high-temperature sensing, aerospace propulsion systems, planetary exploration, and next-generation electronic technologies designed for extreme operating conditions.

Who is Dr Robert Sola Okojie?
Dr Robert Sola Okojie is a Nigerian-born engineer, inventor and researcher renowned for his contributions to aerospace engineering and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). Throughout his career at Nasa’s Glenn Research Center, he has specialised in developing advanced semiconductor technologies capable of functioning under extreme temperatures, intense radiation and other demanding conditions encountered during space missions.

His work has earned widespread recognition within the scientific community, leading to numerous patents and prestigious awards for technological innovation.

Why Dr Robert Sola Okojie was inducted into Nasa’s Inventors Hall of Fame

In November 2019, Dr Okojie was inducted into the Nasa Inventors Hall of Fame in recognition of his exceptional record of innovation. By that time, he had spent 21 years at Nasa and had been awarded 21 US patents, reflecting his significant contributions to the agency’s technological capabilities.

The honour recognises Nasa researchers whose inventions have had a lasting impact on aerospace science, engineering and technological advancement.

Dr Okojie received the 2012 Nasa Glenn Research Center Distinguished Publication Award in 2012, in 2009 the Abe Silverstein Medal for Research, and numerous other awards between 2002 and 2018.

Why the achievement matters

Okojie’s journey is an inspiring example of how talent, perseverance and scientific curiosity can lead to global recognition. His induction not only his personal accomplishments but also the growing contributions of African scientists and engineers to international space research. For aspiring innovators, particularly those from developing countries, his career demonstrates that groundbreaking discoveries and world-class engineering can emerge from determination, expertise and a commitment to solving complex scientific challenges.

How his inventions are advancing space exploration

As noted in the Nasa Technology Transfer Program, Dr Okojie is internationally recognised as a leading expert in silicon carbide-based microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). Silicon carbide is an advanced semiconductor material capable of operating in environments where conventional silicon electronics would fail, including extremely high temperatures and high-radiation conditions.

His research has contributed to the development of sensors, actuators and electronic systems designed for demanding applications such as planetary exploration, aerospace propulsion, energy systems and industrial monitoring. These innovations are helping expand the capabilities of future spacecraft and scientific instruments, ensuring reliable performance in environments that push modern engineering to its limits.
TOI Science Desk

–Dual-facility structure: adopted

An agreement between China and Nigeria’s companies is set to produce Nigerian homegrown electric vehicle brand.

Launch Design Shanghai and Acely, Hybrid Motors Nigeria respectively have signed the strategic partnership agreement to establish state-of-the-art Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing facilities in Lagos and Abuja, in a move aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s transition to sustainable mobility and local automotive production.

Signed in Shanghai on May 8, 2026, the agreement marks a major milestone for Acely, Hybrid Motors Nigeria’s indigenous automobile brand developed specifically for Nigerian roads, driving conditions, and consumers.

The partnership brings together Launch Design Shanghai’s global automotive engineering expertise and Hybrid Motors Nigeria’s deep understanding of the local market to drive the development, assembly, and large-scale production of modern electric and hybrid vehicles in Nigeria.

Chief Executive Officer of Launch Design, Wang Xun, while speaking at the signing ceremony and Chief Executive Officer of Hybrid Motors Nigeria, Jubril Arogundade, described the collaboration as a transformative step towards building a globally competitive automotive manufacturing ecosystem in Nigeria.

Arogundade said the partnership represents more than a commercial venture, noting that it reflects a long-term commitment to Nigeria’s industrial future.

“With Acely, we are demonstrating that world-class vehicles can be conceived, designed, and assembled in Nigeria by Nigerians for Nigerians.

Our collaboration with Launch Design brings international engineering standards to local production while preserving the identity of a truly Nigerian brand,” he said.

Wang Xun stated that Launch Design was proud to support the growth of Nigeria’s automotive industry through advanced engineering and manufacturing solutions.

“Our turnkey engineering capabilities, combined with Hybrid Motors Nigeria’s market knowledge and leadership, create a strong platform for success. Together, we are not only building vehicles, but helping to build an industry,” he said.

Under the agreement, Launch Design Shanghai would provide comprehensive engineering support spanning vehicle architecture, manufacturing systems, design optimisation, production engineering, and quality assurance processes.

Dual Manufacturing Strategy
The partnership will establish manufacturing operations in both Lagos and Abuja, with a projected combined annual production capacity of 70,000 units at full maturity.

The Lagos facility, located within the Lekki-Epe axis, will serve as the primary production and assembly hub with a yearly capacity of 50,000 units.

Positioned close to the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the plant is expected to support exports across West Africa, including Ghana, Benin Republic, Togo, and Côte d’Ivoire.

The Abuja facility, situated within the Free Zone Business Area of Centenary Economic City, will function as a secondary manufacturing and technology hub with an annual production capacity of 20,000 units. The plant is expected to serve Northern Nigeria and the wider Sahel region while benefiting from the Free Zone’s strategic incentives and trade connectivity.

According to the companies, the dual-facility structure is designed to improve operational efficiency, reduce logistics costs, strengthen regional distribution networks, and expand employment opportunities across multiple regions of the country.

The companies said Acely represents a forward-looking mobility solution focused on local manufacturing, energy efficiency, innovation, and sustainability.

According to the partnership framework, Acely vehicles will be developed with Nigerian environmental conditions, road infrastructure, and consumer realities in mind, while incorporating modern intelligent systems and advanced electric and hybrid propulsion technologies.

The initiative is also expected to support Nigeria’s clean energy aspirations and broader industrialisation agenda.
The companies projected that the investment would stimulate significant economic and industrial benefits, including job creation, technology transfer, local supply chain development, foreign exchange conservation, and increased regional competitiveness within Africa’s automotive value chain.

They added that the project aligns with the objectives of Nigeria’s National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) and the country’s broader drive towards industrial diversification and sustainable transportation.
Describing the agreement as a defining moment for Nigeria’s automotive sector, Arogundade said the partnership would lay the foundation for a new era of mobility driven by local innovation and global competitiveness.
“With facilities in Lagos and Abuja serving complementary regional markets, we are creating the foundation for a mobility ecosystem that is locally rooted, globally competitive, and sustainably driven,” he said.