The Federal Ministry of Works in Nigeria has conducted a capacity-building workshop in Abuja aimed at equipping engineers and technicians in the North-Central zone with the necessary skills to meet the evolving demands of modern infrastructure delivery.
According to a press statement signed by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammad Ahmed, the workshop is part of a nationwide initiative targeting all six geopolitical zones to bridge the generational and capacity gaps in the Ministry’s workforce.
Speaking at the opening session, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Olufunsho Adebiyi, attributed the existing capacity gap to the recent retirement of a significant number of staff. He disclosed that a comprehensive personnel audit has already been conducted and submitted to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to guide future recruitment.
Mr Adebiyi stressed the importance of self-development among young professionals, noting that “competence is a prerequisite for employability in a modern public service environment, where performance drives progression.”
He also urged participants to adhere strictly to civil service rules, warning that infractions would attract appropriate sanctions in line with existing regulations.
“The training refreshes core competencies in highway and bridge design, project and contract management, and applicable quality assurance procedures, while promoting cross-functional exposure to develop versatile, all-round professionals,” the Permanent Secretary stated.
Highlighting the importance of diverse field experience, he advocated for the rotation of engineers across departments and regions to prevent stagnation and encourage technical adaptability.
The technical sessions featured expert-led lectures, including “Effective Supervision of Federal Highway Projects” by Engr. Olufemi Oyekanmi who called attention to workforce overload and stressed the need for increased manpower to meet the rising volume of national infrastructure projects. He urged field engineers to maintain discipline and consistent delivery despite operational challenges.
Engr. C. Shausu, in a session titled “Effective Communication Skills”, underscored the critical role of communication in project execution and collaboration across departments.
Additionally, Engr. A.A. Adebiyi delivered a lecture on “Ensuring Safety in Project Sites”, where he highlighted the necessity of enforcing safety protocols and maintaining high standards to protect both workers and infrastructure.
The Ministry says the workshop series is expected to continue across the remaining zones in the coming weeks.