By Innocent Onoh
In a country brimming with potential yet slowed by policy inertia, a clarion call for change rang loud and clear in Lagos as the Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE) unveiled its long-awaited book, “ History of NATE.” This wasn’t just a book launch; it was a historic event that echoed the urgent need for Nigeria to fully integrate technology into all sectors of the economy — and to finally erase the artificial barrier between holders of Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Higher National Diploma (HND) degrees.
The event marked a watershed moment in Nigeria’s technological journey. The book, a culmination of nearly five decades of advocacy, captures the struggles, triumphs, and innovations of NATE’s founding members and fellows, especially their landmark contributions to indigenous technological advancement in food processing, agricultural tools, and other locally adapted innovations.
But beyond chronicling the past, the book and the event sounded a compelling call for action: for Nigeria to adopt a technology-first approach in its quest for sustainable development — and for full recognition of polytechnic graduates as equals to their university-trained counterparts.
Speaking at the launch, Rt. Engr. Tgst Dominic Udoatan, NATE’s National President, made a passionate plea to the Federal Government: integrate technology into every fiber of national life — from agriculture and education to health care, housing, and transportation — or risk perpetual underdevelopment.
“There is no nation that has become truly great without placing technology at the heart of its policies,” Udoatan stated. “The struggle that began with our founding fathers in 1976 is still ongoing. We cannot afford to ignore technology any longer.”
Udoatan’s words were not just an appeal to policy-makers; they were a challenge to every Nigerian to rethink what development really means in the 21st century. With climate change, population growth, food insecurity, and unemployment looming large, Udoatan emphasized that home-grown technological solutions — the kind that NATE members have been quietly developing for decades — are the key to sustainable transformation.
From fabricating cassava-processing machines that revolutionized rural food production to designing solar-powered irrigation systems for dry zones, NATE technologists have consistently proven that innovation doesn’t always have to come from abroad. “We are already doing the work,” Udoatan said.
“What we need is government support, recognition, and the removal of outdated policies that stifle our impact.”
The Dichotomy Debate: 48 Years of Injustice
But alongside the celebration of progress was a bitter reminder of the systemic challenges still facing Nigerian technologists. Chief among them: the controversial BSc-HND dichotomy — a policy that has, for nearly five decades, treated polytechnic graduates as second-class citizens in the labor market and public service.
“We are still in court,” Udoatan revealed. “We took the Federal Government to court to abolish this dichotomy because it is unjust and it undermines technological development. The last National Assembly passed a bill to address the issue, but President Muhammadu Buhari failed to sign it. Now we are counting on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu — a man of surprises — to do the right thing.”
He disclosed that letters have already been sent to both the Senate President and President Tinubu, urging them to adopt an Executive Order or initiate an Executive Bill to finally end the certificate discrimination.
“For 48 years we’ve waited. Mr. President, this is your moment to make history,” Udoatan declared. “Abolish this dichotomy and unleash the power of over 500,000 trained technologists waiting to transform this nation.”
If the speeches stirred hearts, the unveiling of The History of NATE ignited minds. Authored by Engr. Pastor Joseph Toby-Lade, who turns 89 this October, the book is more than a historical record — it is a blueprint for Nigeria’s future. Toby-Lade, a revered elder statesman in the engineering community, spoke with quiet conviction about the injustice that birthed NATE.
“Many of our members, both at home and abroad, were doing the work of engineers, yet they were denied recognition. That injustice gave rise to this association,” he explained. “Sadly, 48 years later, the discrimination remains. But I have faith it will end soon.”
Toby-Lade’s words were filled with both weariness and hope — a reminder of the long road that has been traveled, and the longer one that lies ahead. He dedicated the book to his late colleagues who died waiting for change, offering a solemn prayer for their memory and a challenge to the living to finish what they started.
The book’s reviewer, Dr. Openibo Oluremi of Lagos State University, described it as “both intriguing and necessary.” She called for the e-publication of the book, not just for ease of access, but as a revenue model to support future editions and wider dissemination.
“I recommend that every member of NATE — past, present, and future — must own this book,” she said. “It is a record of resilience, of brilliance, and of a vision that Nigeria desperately needs to embrace.”
She also strongly supported the call to abolish the certificate dichotomy. “Innovation does not reside in titles,” she said. “It resides in minds. And the minds coming out of our polytechnics are no less valuable than those from universities.”
Several industry leaders and policymakers echoed her sentiments, noting that the exclusion of polytechnic graduates from senior government and corporate roles has robbed Nigeria of critical manpower and ideas.
The launch drew NATE members from all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, showcasing the association’s national reach and diversity.
Engr. Tgst Olaore Zaccheaus Ojo chaired the event, while Engr. Tgst Toke Olaniyan served as the Special Guest of Honour. Both men underscored the importance of collaboration between technologists and other engineering bodies, noting that such synergy is vital for national development.
“Today’s event is not just a celebration of the past,” Olaniyan said. “It is a rallying cry for the future. Nigeria must stop sidelining technology and technologists.”
Udoatan also emphasized that NATE is working actively with other professional bodies and government agencies, including the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), to advance its mission. However, he lamented the reduction of NATE’s seats on the COREN council from four to one, promising to push for legislative amendments to restore their representation.
“We must be at the table where decisions are made,” he said. “Because without technology, no policy will stand the test of time.”
Looking Ahead: The Promise of Inclusive Innovation
The Nigerian economy stands at a crossroads. With inflation soaring, job creation lagging, and global competitiveness shrinking, the answers may not lie in more oil exploration or foreign loans — but in the workbenches of Nigerian technologists.
Imagine a Nigeria where every local government has a tech innovation hub. Where polytechnic graduates design and fabricate machines tailored for local needs. Where solar-powered devices replace diesel generators in hospitals and schools. Where young people see technology not as an abstract subject, but as a tool for change.
That Nigeria is possible — but only if the nation commits to harnessing the full potential of its technological workforce.
The book launch of The History of NATE was more than an academic affair. It was a wake-up call. A declaration that for Nigeria to truly rise, it must rise on the shoulders of its own ingenuity — and it must do so inclusively, without discrimination or outdated hierarchies.
As Pastor Toby-Lade poignantly reminded the audience: “Justice delayed is not just denied — it is also a loss to generations unborn. But with the right vision and will, Nigeria can still become the technological giant it was meant to be.”