Nigerian Engineers Receive $15 Million in Software Donations from MIDAS IT
The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has partnered with MIDAS IT, an Indian technology company, to donate engineering software valued at over $15 million to 15 Nigerian universities. This initiative aims to enhance the practical training of engineering students and bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world applications.
In addition to the software donation, MIDAS IT is conducting a technical workshop to train university staff on how to use the software effectively, particularly in the field of civil engineering. The program focuses on equipping lecturers and coordinators with the skills needed to integrate these tools into their curricula for maximum impact.
Mrs. Margaret Oguntala, president of NSE, emphasized the importance of this collaboration during the handover ceremony in Abuja. She stated that the initiative aligns with the society’s mission to develop future engineering leaders. “The future of our profession lies in the hands of our young ones,” she said. “It is our collective duty to guide, support, and inspire them to rise to their full potential.”
Oguntala urged the universities to make productive use of the software and ensure that students can transition from theoretical concepts to practical applications. She also highlighted the need for structured mentorship and knowledge-sharing to prepare the next generation of engineers to lead with vision and competence.
“The Fourth Industrial Revolution has made it increasingly critical for us as a country to create deliberate pathways for our young innovators to move from classroom concepts to real-world applications,” she added. “I urge the benefiting universities to intensify their efforts in closing the gap between academia and industry.”
The event was attended by officials from the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology. Represented by Okoro Ikechukwu, director of ICT, the ministry expressed its commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen the link between education, innovation, and industry. “We are always open for partnerships that drive our collective vision for a knowledge-based and technology-enabled Nigeria,” he said.
Mr. Bello Goronyo, minister of State for Works, praised the initiative and highlighted the importance of combining advanced software with skilled personnel. “The best software in the world is useless without skilled hands to operate it,” he said. “This crucial step ensures that the knowledge transfer is complete, empowering our lecturers and coordinators to fully integrate these tools into their curricula.”
He also reiterated the Federal Government’s focus on quality infrastructure and local content development. “Today’s event is a vibrant demonstration of our commitment to fostering collaboration between industry, government, and academia,” he added.
Naga Ravi Anne, managing director of MIDAS IT for Africa and the UAE region, spoke about the significance of providing the right tools for training. He noted that this first stage of the donation is focused on civil engineering, with plans to expand to mechanical engineering in the future.
Abdulrahman Salawu, vice chancellor of Confluence University of Science and Technology, accepted the donation on behalf of the 15 universities. He assured that the software would be used effectively and pledged that the universities would work towards developing their own software solutions.