By Abdullahi Lukman
The President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Ali Rabiu, has called for stronger regional collaboration among engineers to address food security challenges across Africa.
Engr Rabiu made the call while speaking at the 56th Annual Engineering Conference of the Ghana Institution of Engineering on Tuesday, stressing that engineering diplomacy is essential for tackling shared continental problems through innovation, cooperation and knowledge exchange.
He described the conference theme, “Engineering the Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture Value Chain,” as timely, noting that ensuring food security requires multidisciplinary engineering approaches and coordinated efforts.
According to him, sustainable agricultural development depends on significant investments in infrastructure, food processing systems, preservation technologies and efficient logistics networks.
Engr Rabiu identified rapid population growth, climate change and systemic inefficiencies as key drivers of Africa’s food security challenges, urging engineers to take the lead in deploying innovative and sustainable solutions.
He also highlighted the link between food security and human security, warning that socio-environmental conflicts could negatively affect agricultural productivity.
The NSE president emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among governments, institutions and professionals to ensure effective policy integration and implementation, adding that the NSE remains committed to aligning engineering solutions with national development goals.
Engr Rabiu further reaffirmed the long-standing relationship between NSE and GhIE, describing it as a valuable platform for knowledge sharing and collective problem-solving across the continent.
He urged engineers in Africa to play a more active role in nation-building by developing solutions to socio-economic and environmental challenges, noting that such efforts would strengthen institutions, drive innovation and promote sustainable development.
