The National President of the Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE), Mr Dominic Udoatan, has urged the Federal Government to end the BSc/HND dichotomy.
Udoatan, who disclosed this in his New Year address on Tuesday, described it as critical to national unity, economic growth and professional equity.
He said the removal of this dichotomy would unlock opportunities and enhance fairness across the engineering profession.
“The removal of this dichotomy will unlock opportunities and enhance fairness across the engineering profession. As we move forward, we must remain united, committed to excellence and focused on sustainable technological innovation,” he said.
Udoatan, however, disclosed that the association would prioritise professional development, stronger industry collaboration and sustainable engineering innovation in 2026.
“Our focus in 2026 is to strengthen the competence, relevance and visibility of engineering technologists in Nigeria,” Udoatan said.
According to him, NATE will intensify capacity-building through certification programmes, mentorship initiatives and specialised training to improve members’ competence and global relevance.
Udoatan said that the association would deepen partnerships with industry leaders, educational institutions and government agencies to ensure engineering technologists are well represented in policy discussions.
According to the NATE president, it will also promote sustainability and innovation, noting that engineering technologists must lead in developing solutions to challenges posed by rapid technological transformation.
Reflecting on 2025, Udoatan said the association recorded significant milestones despite economic uncertainties and evolving professional demands.
He said a major achievement in 2025 and previous years was the development of indigenous machines by NATE, demonstrating the practical capacity of engineering technologists to deliver home-grown solutions.
According to him, the association designed and produced machines for agricultural processing, food preservation and industrial automation.
Udoatan said the machines produced include the egg incubation systems, rice de-stoning machines for both industrial and small-scale use.
He said the list also included the coconut de-shelling and castor oil seed de-husking equipment, as well as the tiger nut processing machine.
Udoatan added that NATE also developed automated mains failure systems and dehydration machines, among other locally engineered technologies.
Other milestones, he said, included the launch of the NATE History Book and the ongoing construction of the NATE National Secretariat in Abuja, now nearing the second-floor slab level.
Udoatan said NATE secured approval for an additional seat on the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), pending legislative endorsement.
Udoatan said the association commenced induction and oath-taking programmes for graduating engineering students in polytechnics and monotechnics in line with COREN and Sydney Accord provisions.
The NATE president commended the leadership of COREN for advancing the engineering profession and called for policies that would strengthen career progression for engineering technologists.
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