The National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Highway and Transportation Engineers (NIHTE), Engr. Dr. Bola J. Mudasiru, is set to deliver a keynote address and participate in a high-level panel discussion on sustainable infrastructure at the 3rd International Conference on Environmental, Social, Governance and Sustainable Development of Africa (ICESDA 2026) in Accra, Ghana.
The two-day conference, scheduled for October 22 to 23, 2026, at the Pentecost University Conference Centre, will bring together professionals, academics, policymakers and industry leaders to explore strategies for advancing sustainable development across Africa.
The conference is themed, “The Africa We Want: Driving Transformational and Inclusive Green Growth through ESGs and Digitalisation.”
Mudasiru will deliver his keynote address on Thursday, October 22, under the title, “Delivering Roads and Bridges That Last: Engineering Standards and Asset Governance Across West Africa.”
His presentation is expected to highlight the importance of sound engineering standards, effective asset governance and sustainable maintenance practices in developing durable road and bridge infrastructure across the region.
He is expected to emphasise that Africa’s infrastructure development must go beyond the construction of new roads and bridges to prioritise quality, resilience and long-term maintenance.
According to the central message of his presentation, infrastructure that deteriorates prematurely undermines economic development, while properly designed, constructed and maintained transport networks support trade, regional integration, mobility and inclusive economic growth.
The NIHTE chairman will also participate in a panel session titled “Built Environment: Design, Delivery and Embodied Carbon,” which will examine strategies for reducing the environmental impact of the built environment while ensuring infrastructure remains functional and reliable throughout its life cycle.
The discussion is expected to focus on embodied carbon, sustainable construction materials, climate-responsive design and whole-life asset management, which are becoming increasingly important considerations in infrastructure planning and delivery across Africa.
Mudasiru’s participation as both keynote speaker and panelist highlights the critical role of highway and transportation engineering in advancing the continent’s green-growth agenda.
As head of NIHTE, he is expected to bring professional insights into infrastructure delivery, maintenance, governance and the challenges associated with developing resilient transportation systems in West Africa.
His engagement at the conference also reinforces the need for African countries to adopt a comprehensive approach to infrastructure development—one that combines high engineering standards with effective governance, environmental responsibility and long-term investment in maintenance.
With transportation infrastructure serving as a major driver of economic activities and regional connectivity, the discussions at ICESDA 2026 are expected to contribute to ongoing efforts to promote sustainable and inclusive development across the continent.
The conference provides a platform for stakeholders to explore practical solutions to Africa’s development challenges, with particular attention to the integration of environmental, social and governance principles and digital technologies into infrastructure planning and delivery.
Mudasiru’s central message is that sustainable infrastructure is not simply about building more roads and bridges, but about ensuring that every kilometre constructed today delivers lasting value and serves present and future generations.
