By Isqil Najim
In a move to promote vocational skills as the cornerstone of national development, a Minna-based Nigerian Engineer, Ibrahim Shuaibu—the recipient of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) Minna Branch 2024 Engineer of the Year Innovation Award—has announced a massive skill-acquisition initiative.
The programme offers 100 scholarship slots for specialised technical training, which specifically targets the children of Nigeria’s security personnel and the broader community in Minna, Niger State.
The initiative is designed to address youth unemployment by providing high-value technical expertise and to prepare them for a future in engineering.
Engr. Shuaibu, the CEO of Solid Bird Engineering, is offering 10 training slots to each of the major security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Nigeria Police Force.
This gesture recognises the sacrifices of those who protect the nation by empowering their families with the tools for economic independence.
The six-month training programme, scheduled to commence in two months, focuses on cutting-edge construction technologies. Participants will receive intensive training in Advanced Steel Work and the fabrication of Prefabricated (Prefab) Homes among others.
According to Engr. Shuaibu, the goal is to move youth beyond the classroom into the workshop and help them understand the vital importance of vocational mastery in today’s evolving economy while grooming them for career choice in engineering.
This scholarship programme is a natural extension of the career that earned Engr. Shuaibu the Niger State Engineer of the Year award in 2024
With over 15 years of practical experience, Shuaibu has redefined the intersection of civil engineering and affordable housing fabrication and training. One of his award-winning innovations involves a sophisticated yet affordable fabrication process for mobile homes and offices using steel frames and light steel plates. By integrating polystyrene insulation, he created structures adapted to Nigeria’s high temperatures, providing cost-effective alternatives to traditional brick-and-mortar buildings.
His commitment to human capital development is well-documented. In the past six years, he has mentored graduates through the NYSC SAED programme and provided training for students from FUT Minna and ITF trainees.
This deep social contribution has previously earned him a certificate of honour from the Minna Emirate Council, presented on behalf of the Emir of Minna.
One unique feature of his enduring effort is the “catch them young” initiative, where young students from primary and secondary schools are gradually initiated into the nitty-gritty of engineering while still attending their formal education during regular hours. This effort was intended to ensure that students in that category use their free time for creative activities and commence their practical engineering journey at an early age.
The training will be supported by the technical infrastructure of Solid Bird Engineering Developers & Builders Nig Ltd.
Incorporated in 2018 and headquartered in Minna with offices in Abuja, the firm is a multidisciplinary powerhouse. Under the leadership of MD/CEO Engr. Ali Lawal Binyamin, a seasoned mechanical engineer, the company has successfully delivered high-profile projects, including infrastructure such as the construction supervision of the 7.4km Airport/Egbejila road in Ilorin and institutional development like engineering services for the Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) Head Office in Abuja.
Further evidence of their multidisciplinary experiences can be seen in education and healthcare through the delivery of TETFUND-funded projects for Ahmadu Bello University, including the Veterinary Teaching Hospital Complex and the Central Laboratory Complex, as well as specialised facilities like the proposed 50-bedroom student hostel for the National Water Resources Institute.
Solid Bird Engineering is recognised for its diverse service portfolio, which includes civil construction, real estate, borehole drilling, and specialised ICT consulting. This department specialises in developing robust, scalable web applications and providing expert consultancy in system architecture, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. It later added an Academy to its services. Under this Academy, it trains young people.
The true strength of the company lies in its personnel—a collaborative team of goal-oriented professionals with deep industry roots.
By housing the scholarship programme within such a versatile firm, Engr. Shuaibu and his team ensure that trainees are exposed to a professional environment defined by integrity, resourcefulness, and modern digital solutions.
Through this initiative, Engr. Shuaibu and his team are proving that the backbone of industrial growth is not just physical infrastructure, but a skilled workforce. They are determined not to preach it but to be part of those who make it happen.
By partnering with security agencies and the NSE Minna branch, Engr. Shuaibu is leveraging his professional commitment to build social legacy, and help in ensuring that the next generation of engineers and technicians is equipped to build a prosperous future for Nigeria and thrive in it.
Najim can be reached on Linkedin HERE
