The Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE) has announced its agenda for 2026, placing strong emphasis on enhancing professional capacity building and forging deeper industry partnerships to elevate the role of engineering technologists in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Mr Dominic Udoatan, the national president of NATE, disclosed this in his New Year address on Tuesday.
Udoatan said that the association would prioritise professional development, stronger industry collaboration and sustainable engineering innovation. “Our focus in 2026 is to strengthen the competence, relevance and visibility of engineering technologists in Nigeria,” Udoatan said.
He said NATE would intensify capacity-building through certification programmes, mentorship initiatives and specialised training to improve members’ competence and global relevance. “We are committed to equipping our members with skills that meet both local and international standards,” he said.
Udoatan said the association would deepen partnerships with industry leaders, educational institutions and government agencies to ensure engineering technologists are well represented in policy discussions. “Technologists must have a voice in decisions that shape the future of engineering practice and national development,” he added.
According to him, NATE would 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. “Last year was challenging, but it was also a period of measurable progress for the association,” he said.
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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 were the egg incubation systems, rice de-stoning machines for both industrial and small-scale use, coconut de-shelling and castor oil seed de-husking equipment, as well as tiger nut processing machines.
He added that NATE also developed automated mains failure systems and dehydration machines, among other locally engineered technologies. “These innovations reflect our commitment to solving real economic and industrial challenges through technology,” he said.
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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 the approval of an additional seat on the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), pending legislative endorsement. “This additional representation will strengthen our professional voice and engagement within the regulatory framework,” he said.
He added that NATE’s advocacy for two polytechnic representation slots had been adopted, while the association recorded its highest attendance at the 2025 Conference of Technologists and Annual General Meeting (CONFOTECH/AGM) held in Lagos.
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. He also said new NATE chapters were created across the country to expand professional inclusion.
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.
He urged the federal government to end the BSc/HND dichotomy, describing it as critical to national unity, economic growth and professional equity. “The removal of this dichotomy will unlock opportunities and enhance fairness across the engineering profession,” Udoatan said.
“As we move forward, we must remain united, committed to excellence and focused on sustainable technological innovation,” he added, expressing optimism for a productive 2026.
