Mr. Oladapo Sulu, President, Engineering Forum of Nigerians (EFN), United Kingdom (UK) on Thursday has promised to team up with local manufacturers and engineers to increase access to markets abroad and boost export.
The EFN-UK President pledged this at a hybrid monthly seminar organized by the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE), with the theme: “Unlocking Business Opportunities for Nigerian Manufacturers in Overseas Markets.”
Sulu said creating access for local manufacturers to markets abroad was important to help Nigeria attain its economic potential. He therefore promised EFN’s partnership with local engineers and manufacturers, stating that the nation’s economic growth required that manufacturers earned more income from exporting products than import expenditure.
Speaking further, he itemized the vision of EFN-UK, which had chattered members drawn from various professional fields.
“In order for Nigeria to reach its full economic potential, manufacturers must be able to gain access to markets abroad and earn more income from exporting products,” he said.
He added that EFN-UK could assist local manufacturers and engineers to source foreign funds for investments either directly or indirectly while underscoring the need for quality assurance for marketability of exports.
“Our mission at EFN is to promote the exchange of ideas and engineering knowledge, and provide networking opportunities among Nigerian engineers in the UK and abroad.
“It’s also to contribute to and influence engineering development in Nigeria; and to promote, encourage and support the development of engineering skills among young people in Nigeria and the UK,” he said.
He added that EFN would continue to engage progressive engineers, developers, investors and authorities to ensure that those in the skilled professions could exploit new technologies and have access to innovations.
Sulu said this would guarantee the return of new innovations and technologies to Nigeria, which had numerous young engineers eager to grow capacity to be at par with western standards of delivery, research and application.
Mrs. Funmilade Akingbagbohun, NIMechE’s National Chairman, celebrated EFN-UK for its capacity to mobilize and transform Nigerian engineers into an influential professional engineering community.
