Fausat Agboluaje is an engineer and Associate Partner, Etteh Aro & Partners, an infrastructural development company. In this interview with CHINEDUM UWAEGBULAM, she addresses the links between Nigeria’s education system and construction industry; and offers insights on ways to resolve infrastructure failures, housing deficit and lack of standard building materials.

The education of the girl-child in Nigeria, especially in the northern region, has been a significant challenge. What steps can be taken to attract more women and girls to participate in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses?
YOU’RE right; the underrepresentation of girls in education, particularly in STEM fields in Northern Nigeria, is a complex issue deeply rooted in cultural and religious beliefs. These factors have historically limited opportunities for girls, and it’s a challenge that requires a multifaceted approach to overcome.

Firstly, it’s crucial to engage communities directly. We need to initiate dialogues through symposiums in schools, religious centres, public spaces and media houses. By involving parents, community leaders, and religious figures, we can begin to shift perceptions and highlight the importance of education for girls, especially in STEM fields that are critical for national development.

Also, creating a welcoming environment in educational institutions is vital. Schools should strive to be female-friendly spaces where girls feel safe and encouraged to pursue their interests. This could involve everything from hiring more female teachers in STEM subjects to ensuring that facilities meet the needs of female students.

Financial barriers are another significant hurdle. Many families may prioritise education for boys due to limited resources and establishing sponsorship programmes or scholarships specifically for girls interested in STEM can alleviate this burden and signal a tangible commitment to their education.

Mentorship plays a powerful role as well. When young girls see women excelling in STEM careers, it broadens their horizons and provides concrete examples of what they can achieve. Connecting students with female role models through mentorship programmes can inspire them to pursue similar paths.

Additionally, we should consider organising STEM-focused events like competitions and career talks in primary and junior schools. These activities can ignite a passion for science and technology from an early age, making it more likely those girls will continue in these fields as they progress academically.

Lastly, celebrating the achievements of women in STEM is essential. By highlighting success stories, we not only recognise their contributions but also challenge stereotypes and encourage other girls to follow in their footsteps.

There are concerns about the inadequate patronage of local engineers in government projects, despite policies like ‘Executive Order Five’ promoting local content in science and engineering. What are your thoughts on this, and how can we ensure the involvement of indigenous engineers in the construction industry?
This is a pressing concern that reflects deeper systemic issues within our procurement and project management processes. Corruption and inefficiencies in these systems often sideline competent local engineers in favour of foreign counterparts or less qualified individuals who may have undue influence.

Past experiences with poor project delivery have understandably made the government cautious. However, this caution often unfairly penalises capable local professionals who are more than qualified to handle these projects. To address this, we need to rebuild trust in our indigenous engineering capacity.

BESIDES, regulatory bodies like the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) must take a proactive role. They need to enforce professional standards rigorously and ensure that only qualified engineers are licensed to practice. For COREN to be truly effective, it might need greater independence from political influences that can compromise its mandate.

Revitalising our engineering education is also crucial. Technical schools and polytechnics should be strengthened with updated curricula that meet current industry needs. By investing in research and fostering stronger collaborations between academia and industry, we can ensure that graduates are well-prepared to contribute meaningfully to national projects.

Moreover, government-awarded projects should include provisions for human capacity building. This means not just completing the project at hand but also enhancing the skills of local engineers and technicians. It’s an investment that pays dividends by building a more competent workforce for future projects.

Besides, collaboration between national engineering societies and the government can further bridge gaps. By working together, they can develop policies and programmes that support indigenous engineers, ensuring they’re not just involved but are leading in the construction industry.

Reports suggest that Nigeria needs to invest between $100 billion and $150 billion yearly over the next 30 years to bridge the infrastructure gap. How can we achieve this, and what should be the role of the private sector?
The scale of investment required is indeed daunting, but it’s a challenge that can be met with strategic planning and collaboration. Continuous and transparent national budgeting is a starting point. Funds allocated for infrastructure must be used effectively, which necessitates robust monitoring and auditing mechanisms to prevent mismanagement.

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) offer a viable pathway to supplement government funding. The private sector can bring in not just capital but also expertise, efficiency, and innovation. They can propose solutions, engage in effective planning, and develop revenue-generating models that make infrastructure projects sustainable in the long term.

Infrastructure investors, both domestic and international, can also play a significant role as attracting these investors requires creating a conducive business environment, which includes political stability, clear regulations, and assurances of return on investment.

Corporate social responsibility initiatives from private companies can contribute as well. By investing in infrastructure projects, companies not only enhance their corporate image but also contribute to the economic development that ultimately benefits their businesses.

Building and infrastructure collapses have been a disturbing phenomenon in the housing and construction sector. Who is responsible, and what can the government do to address this challenge?
The issue of building collapses is both tragic and complex. Responsibility often lies with multiple parties: project owners who may cut corners to save costs, professionals who may not adhere to industry standards and regulatory agencies who fail to enforce compliance.

These incidents are largely preventable. The government has a critical role to play in enforcing strict adherence to building codes and regulations. Regulatory agencies must be empowered and held accountable to ensure that all construction projects meet the required standards.

Investing in the continuous professional development of engineers and construction workers is also essential. The industry is always evolving, and staying updated on the latest technologies and best practices can prevent many of these failures.

Another crucial aspect is combating the influx of substandard building materials in the market. The government needs to intensify efforts to regulate and monitor the quality of materials being sold and used in construction projects. By addressing these issues holistically, we can significantly reduce the occurrence of such tragic events and build safer, and more reliable infrastructure.

Employers of engineering graduates have consistently complained about a mismatch in skills and a shortfall in capacity to practice as young professionals. Why does this issue persist?
This is a multifaceted problem that stems from systemic issues within our educational institutions. The quality of education has been declining due to factors like underfunding, inadequate facilities, and a lack of qualified teaching staff.

Our curricula are often outdated and do not reflect the current demands of the industry and as a result, graduates come out of universities and polytechnics without the practical skills and knowledge that employers are looking for.

There’s also a gap in soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, which are critical in the professional world. This gap can be attributed to an educational focus that prioritises rote learning over critical thinking and practical application.

To address this, we need a comprehensive overhaul of the educational system. Updating curricula, investing in teacher training, and fostering partnerships between educational institutions and industry can help align graduates’ skills with employers’ needs.

Encouraging internships and industrial placements during studies can provide students with valuable real-world experience. Additionally, mentorship programmes can help guide young professionals in their career development.

With inflation and skyrocketing prices of building materials, how can we resolve Nigeria’s huge housing deficit and the lack of standard building materials in the sector?
The housing deficit is a significant challenge exacerbated by economic instability and the high cost of building materials. To tackle this, we need a combination of short-term and long-term strategies.

Firstly, the government must demonstrate political will by prioritising housing development in national agendas, while implementing policies that stabilise the economy can help control inflation and, by extension, the prices of building materials.

Exploring and promoting alternative construction materials can also reduce costs. For instance, using locally sourced materials not only cuts expenses but also supports local industries.

Improving infrastructure, such as transportation systems, can reduce logistics costs associated with moving materials, thereby lowering overall construction costs and strict regulation of the building materials market is essential to ensure quality, as well as prevent substandard products from undermining construction integrity.

Lastly, effective and affordable housing schemes can make homeownership accessible to more people; public-private partnerships can play a role here, combining government support with private sector efficiency to deliver housing projects at scale.