‘Infrastructure reforms critical to harness Nigeria’s development’

Experts in  other sectors of the economy have called on government at all levels to conduct infrastructure reforms and harness Nigeria’s human resources for economic growth and development. They made the call over the weekend in Abuja when they converged to celebrate the 60th birthday of Professor Muhammad Akaro Mainoma, an administrator and former Vice […]

Experts in  other sectors of the economy have called on government at all levels to conduct infrastructure reforms and harness Nigeria’s human resources for economic growth and development.

They made the call over the weekend in Abuja when they converged to celebrate the 60th birthday of Professor Muhammad Akaro Mainoma, an administrator and former Vice Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi as the event was also held as a colloquium.

Delivering a keynote address, former Director-General of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Dr. Umar Bindir, lamented Nigeria’s inability to fully harness its intellectual and human resources for national growth especially in terms if infrastructure development.

He said despite decades of policies and programmes, the country has failed to eliminate poverty, create sustainable jobs, and build world-class institutions and infrastructure that will guarantee growth.

“Our leaders have always launched visions — from the Green Revolution to Vision 2010 and Vision 2020, but the real question remains: why have we not answered the fundamental issues?” Bindir asked.

He urged Nigeria to learn from countries like Malaysia and South Korea, where consistent investment in infrastructure research, education and industrial policies transformed their economies.

Former Nasarawa State Governor, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, praised Mainoma’s achievements, describing him as “a patriot, mentor and nation-builder whose legacy extends beyond Nasarawa State to Nigeria and beyond.”

The occasion also witnessed the unveiling of four books in honour of Prof. Mainoma. These included Mentoring Academics in Nigeria: Mentor’s Approach; Mainoma’s Leadership: Achievements in Nasarawa State University;

My History— an autobiographical work detailing his early life and education; and Diamond Memories of a Secretary General, capturing his reflections on service and leadership.

A close associate of Mainoma and first Professor of Capital Market Studies, Uche Uwaleke described the celebrant as a visionary leader whose impact transcends the academic community.

Uwaleke, who is the Pioneer Director of the Institute of Capital Market Studies, NSUK, described Mainoma as one of the leading researchers in accountancy who has graduated a significant number of professors and PhD holders in Nigeria.

In his response, Mainoma expressed gratitude to God, his family, colleagues, and friends for their support throughout his journey, adding that “I want to be remembered as someone who devoted his life to knowledge, service, and mentoring the next generation,” he said.