Professor Jasper Ikpesu is the Vice President of the Institute of Non-Destructive Testing of Nigeria (INDTN). In this interview with GBENGA AKINFENWA, the renowned climatologist spoke on the benefits and impact of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) on Nigeria’s economic growth.
How do you think Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) can contribute to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth?
The Federal Government must first realise that Nigeria’s GDP growth has faced several setbacks, including slow growth rate and low productivity. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had predicted that Nigeria’s economy would experience slow growth, with a rate of 3.2 per cent in 2023 and 3.0 per cent in 2024, which is below the targeted per cent annual growth rate and the region’s expected growth rates of 3.5 per cent and 4.1 per cent for 2023 and 2024 respectively.
There is a rebased GDP of ₦372.8 trillion. Economists warn of underlying weaknesses in key sectors, particularly in labour productivity and industrial output, citing weak infrastructure, erratic power supply, and inadequate investment in education and skill development whereas Nigeria’s debt servicing costs has doubled from ₦8 trillion in 2024 to ₦16.3 trillion in the 2025 proposed budget, exceeding the combined budgets for defence, security, infrastructure, education, and health.
Also, the issue of inflation and currency devaluation is a negative indicator that has made the economy experience stagnation, with high inflation rates and a significant devaluation of the naira, which has lost value by over 300 per cent.
Also affecting the GDP is the prolonged issue of policy inconsistency. Since the post-COVID recession, policy inconsistency has contributed to the decline in GDP, with the country now ranking fourth in Africa behind South Africa, Egypt, and Algeria.
Added to these is the oil sector’s performance, which is of significant concern, with a decline in oil production and exports, and the sector’s contribution to GDP growth being negative in some quarters.
The manufacturing sector has experienced a decline, with issues such as high operational costs, supply chain disruptions, and increased borrowing rates.
Agricultural sector challenges, such as inadequate infrastructure, lack of technology, and adverse weather conditions, despite government initiatives to support the sector, have negative effects.
These setbacks highlight the need for structural reforms, investment in key sectors, and policy consistency to achieve sustainable economic growth and development. It is based on these factors that the Federal Government should consider investing in NDT.
NDT has the potential of boosting Nigeria’s GDP by enhancing industrial productivity. It helps detect defects and flaws in materials and structures without causing damage, reducing the need for costly repairs and replacements. This increases productivity and efficiency in various industries, such as manufacturing, oil and gas, and construction.
NDT also supports infrastructure development. Nigeria’s infrastructure development plans, like the Second Niger Bridge and natural gas pipelines, and other applications can benefit from NDT services. By ensuring the integrity of these structures, NDT helps prevent failures, reduce maintenance costs, and extend their lifespan.
Also, as Nigeria aims to increase its oil production and expand its gas sector, NDT will play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of equipment, pipelines, and storage facilities. This will help prevent accidents, environmental disasters, and revenue losses.
NDT can also support Nigeria’s manufacturing sector by improving product quality, reducing waste, and increasing customer satisfaction. There will be a potential increase in competitiveness, exports, and economic growth.
Moreover, the growth of NDT services in Nigeria can create new job opportunities and stimulate the development of skilled professionals in areas like inspection, testing, and evaluation.
Thus, some potential areas for NDT application in Nigeria include: Oil and gas: Pipeline inspection, tank testing, and equipment inspection, construction, building inspection, bridge inspection, and structural health monitoring. Manufacturing: Quality control, material inspection, and product testing. Power Generation: Inspection of power plant equipment, transmission lines, and distribution infrastructure.
So, the Federal Government should adopt NDT services, and as such improve the reliability and efficiency of its industries, reduce costs, and increase competitiveness, ultimately contributing to the nation’s GDP growth.
How can NDT contribute to Nigeria’s economic development?
NDT can significantly contribute to Nigeria’s economic development in the following ways:
Boosting productivity: NDT helps detect defective flaws in materials and structures without causing damage, reducing the need for costly repairs and replacements. This increases productivity and efficiency in various industries, such as manufacturing, oil and gas, and construction.
Also, critical infrastructure like pipelines, buildings, and bridges, which is essential for Nigeria’s economic development, can be enhanced through NDT to ensure their integrity.
Supporting non-oil sector growth: By improving the quality and reliability of non-oil industries such as manufacturing and agriculture, NDT can contribute to Nigeria’s economic diversification and growth.
New job opportunities can be created through NDT services and this will stimulate the development of skilled professionals in areas like inspection, testing, and evaluation. Adopting NDT services can increase competitiveness, and Nigerian industries will improve their competitiveness in the global market, attracting foreign investment and promoting economic growth.
Entrepreneurship in areas like agriculture, forestry, and mining can contribute to sustainable economic growth, which will reduce unemployment rates in Nigeria.
So, the Federal Government should adopt NDT fully and improve the reliability and efficiency of its industries, reduce costs, and increase competitiveness, ultimately contributing to the country’s economic growth and development.
What are the potential economic benefits of implementing NDT in Nigerian industries?
I have highlighted how investing in NDT can boost Nigeria’s GDP. The following are other benefits of implementing NDT in Nigerian industries:
Increased productivity: NDT helps detect defects and flaws in materials and structures without causing damage, reducing the need for costly repairs and replacements. This leads to increased productivity and efficiency in industries like manufacturing, oil and gas, and construction.
Improved safety and compliance: NDT ensures the integrity of assets, reducing the risk of accidents and environmental disasters. This is particularly crucial in industries like oil and gas, where safety is paramount.
Cost savings: By identifying potential issues early, NDT can help prevent costly repairs and downtime, resulting in significant cost savings for industries.
Enhanced quality control: NDT enables industries to maintain high-quality standards, reducing the likelihood of product failures and improving customer satisfaction.
Job creation and skills development: The growth of NDT services in Nigeria can create new job opportunities and stimulate the development of skilled professionals in areas like inspection, testing, and evaluation.
Infrastructure development: NDT plays a vital role in ensuring the integrity of critical infrastructure, such as pipelines, buildings, and bridges, which is essential for Nigeria’s economic development.
Increased competitiveness: By adopting NDT services, Nigerian industries can improve their competitiveness in the global market, attracting foreign investment and promoting economic growth.
Reduced downtime: NDT helps industries minimise downtime by identifying potential issues before they become major problems, resulting in increased productivity and efficiency.
Are there any specific industries or sectors where NDT can have the most significant impact in Nigeria?
NDT can significantly impact various industries in Nigeria, particularly in sectors where asset integrity and safety are paramount. Some of the key industries that can benefit from NDT include:
The oil and gas industry where NDT helps ensure the integrity of equipment, pipelines, and storage facilities, reducing the risk of accidents and environmental disasters. This industry is a significant contributor to Nigeria’s economy, and NDT can help optimise production and minimise downtime; the power sector where NDT is crucial for maintaining the integrity of power plant equipment, transmission lines, and distribution infrastructure, ensuring a reliable energy supply; the manufacturing industry where NDT improves product quality, reduces waste, and increases customer satisfaction by detecting defects and flaws in materials and products; the construction sector where NDT ensures the integrity of buildings, bridges, and other critical infrastructure, reducing the risk of accidents and environmental disasters; the aerospace and automotive industry where NDT helps detect defects and flaws in aircraft and vehicle components, ensuring safety and reducing maintenance costs.
With Nigeria’s growing infrastructure projects, NDT can play a vital role in ensuring the integrity of critical infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and buildings. NDT can also be applied in agricultural processing industries, such as detecting defects in food products to improve quality and reduce waste.
In some of the fastest-growing sectors in Nigeria’s economy, such as rail transport and pipelines, NDT can help ensure the integrity of railway infrastructure and pipelines, reducing the risk of accidents and environmental disasters. In the telecoms and digital services sector, while NDT may not be directly applicable, the growth of digital services can support the adoption of NDT technologies and services in various industries.
What policies or regulatory changes can support the growth of NDT in Nigeria?
The growth of NDT in Nigeria is important, and the following policy or regulatory changes should be considered:
Strengthening regulatory capacity: More powers should be granted to regulatory institutions such as the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, to enhance their effectiveness in overseeing industries that utilise NDT.
The National Quality Council should develop and implement a National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) policy to improve product and service standards, enhancing Nigeria’s trade competitiveness and economic development.
For the industry-specific regulations, we have regulations for industries that heavily rely on NDT, such as:
Oil and gas: Implement regulations like the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act to promote local content and technology transfer.
Power generation: Develop safety and quality standards for power generation equipment inspection and maintenance.
Standardisation and accreditation: Develop and enforce standards for NDT services, personnel certification, and equipment calibration to ensure quality and reliability.
Investment in human capital: Provide training and capacity-building programmes for NDT professionals to address skill gaps and promote innovation.
Incentives for NDT adoption: Offer incentives such as tax breaks or subsidies to encourage industries to adopt NDT technologies and services.
Collaboration and partnerships: Foster partnerships between regulatory agencies, industry stakeholders, and research institutions to promote NDT development and innovation.
Data management and sharing: Establish frameworks for data management and sharing to facilitate the use of NDT data in industries like oil and gas.
These changes can help create an enabling environment for NDT growth in Nigeria, promoting economic development, safety, and competitiveness.
As a climate change and environmental sustainability expert, what are the specific differences between climate change, environmental sustainability and NDT?
Climate Change refers to the long-term warming of the planet due to an increase in average global temperature, primarily caused by human activities that release greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, into the atmosphere. Impacts include rising sea levels, more frequent natural disasters, and altered ecosystems.
Addressing climate change requires reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to renewable energy sources.
Environmental sustainability is about maintaining the health and integrity of the environment, conserving natural resources, and ensuring that human activities do not harm the planet’s ecosystems.
It involves practices like sustainable resource management, reducing pollution, and protecting biodiversity. Environmental sustainability is crucial for human well-being and economic development
NDT is a set of techniques used to evaluate the properties and integrity of materials, components, or systems without causing damage. NDT is essential in various industries, such as oil and gas, construction, and manufacturing to detect defects, assess structural integrity, and prevent failures.
NDT contributes to sustainability by reducing waste, improving product quality, and extending the life of infrastructure and equipment.
However, the key differences between these concepts lie in their focus areas: Climate Change focuses on mitigating the effects of global warming; Environmental Sustainability encompasses a broader range of environmental concerns, including conservation and pollution reduction; NDT is a technical field that supports sustainability and climate change mitigation by ensuring the integrity and efficiency of systems and infrastructure.
