NSE advocates improved training for engineers to safeguard national assets

President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mrs Margaret Oguntala, yesterday, called on the government to ensure continued investment in engineering capacity building in the country.

She made the call while reacting to the reactivation of aircraft grounded for 23 years by Nigerian Air Force (NAF) engineers, noting that successes like this demonstrate the vital role engineers play in safeguarding national assets and achieving self-reliance.

NAF engineers and technicians recently reactivated a Dornier DO-228 aircraft that had been grounded for 23 years.

The NSE boss congratulated the force for its commitment to innovation and operational excellence.

She described the milestone as a testament to the professionalism, ingenuity, and dedication of Nigerian engineers.

Specifically, Oguntala lauded the NAF 431 Engineering Group for their display of technical expertise and resilience, underlining the transformative power of indigenous innovation in addressing complex challenges.

“This outstanding achievement underscores the exceptional capabilities of Nigerian engineers and their ability to restore critical assets to operational status,” she said

According to NAF spokesperson, Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, the aircraft, originally grounded in 2001, was restored between June and September 2024 by a team of five engineering officers and 40 technicians, using advanced engineering techniques under stringent aviation standards.

The reactivation process, she noted, aligns with NAF’s strategy to enhance operational readiness and reduce dependence on foreign expertise.

The aircraft, originally designated “5N-MPS” and previously used by the defunct Ministry of Mines, Power, and Steel, has been redesignated as “NAF-039.”

Oguntala further said this achievement builds on earlier engineering milestones by the NAF, such as the in-country 4,800-hour inspection of another DO-228 aircraft earlier in 2024, highlighting a growing capacity for advanced in-house maintenance.