Tackle Nigerian Challenges with Faith, Innovation, CORBON Chair Urges Young Professionals

By Sanni Marvelous

The Chairman of the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), Dr. Samson Opaluwah, has urged young professionals to confront Nigeria’s mounting challenges with a blend of faith, innovation, and sustainability.

He delivered the charge on Friday during his convocation address at Bingham University, Karu, where he encouraged fresh graduates to step into the country’s complex socio-economic environment with courage, creativity, and a strong sense of responsibility.

Opaluwah, who spoke on the theme “Faith, Innovation, and Sustainability: Building a Resilient Future for Nigeria,” said the graduands were entering a nation grappling with immense structural pressures—from a population projected to hit 450 million by 2050, to a maternal mortality rate of 993 deaths per 100,000 deliveries, an estimated 10.5 to 20 million out-of-school children, and a multidimensional poverty burden affecting 133 million people.

He added that Nigeria’s housing deficit, placed between 17 and 28 million units, deepens the urgency for a generation ready to think and act differently.

Despite these daunting indicators, he said the path to national transformation remains open to young Nigerians who can merge conviction with creativity.

“I firmly believe that by merging our faith with innovative thinking and sustainable practices, we can forge a resilient future for our dear country, Nigeria,” he said.

He described faith as a critical pillar for rebuilding the nation, insisting it goes beyond religiosity. “Faith is not just a religious virtue; it is the engine of hope and courage. Nigeria’s story demands a generation of people who can believe beyond the limits of what they see,” he said.

To the new graduates, he added a reminder about navigating an uncertain future with confidence: “You may not see the road ahead clearly, but walk it in faith, knowing that God sees what you cannot see.”

Opaluwah tied innovation to divine identity, arguing that Nigerians, as humans created in God’s image, must see themselves as creators and problem-solvers.

“As children of the Most High, we are called to reflect His creative power Innovation is not just about technology. It is about Kingdom minded problem solving,” he said.

Rebuilding the country, he cautioned, cannot rely on “recycling old ideas for new challenges,” urging young professionals to pioneer new approaches in technology, agriculture, renewable energy, ministry, business, and community development.

On sustainability, he said it extends beyond environmental concerns, calling it a mandate rooted in human stewardship. “Sustainability is not only about climate, but also about wise, Godly stewardship of resources, relationships, time, and Truth,” he noted.

He urged Nigerians to act as caretakers of creation, guided by values that protect both people and the environment.

To illustrate what faith-driven innovation looks like in practice, he pointed to figures such as Folorunsho Alakija, Cosmas Maduka, Dr. Ernest Madu, and Dr. Anne Bassey, examples he said demonstrate how Christian values can shape business, philanthropy, and healthcare.

He observed that peacebuilding, environmental stewardship, and digital evangelism are emerging spaces where Christian innovators are already making an impact.

The CORBON Chairman also used the platform to highlight the council’s contributions to national development, including reforms aimed at strengthening ethical leadership, modernising construction practices, and deepening environmental responsibility.

He said CORBON has reinforced its code of conduct for registered builders and expanded its training and research collaborations both locally and internationally.

He cited the council’s Memorandum of Understanding with the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), the introduction of digital platforms such as the Builder’s Management Portal (BuMaP) and iReg, and the rollout of modern training programmes focused on sustainable construction.

According to him, CORBON’s drive for sustainability is reflected in its advocacy for green building and its collaboration with partners such as GIZ, which he said has supported the training of 50,000 artisans. He added that the council continues to participate actively in national dialogues on sustainable urban development and disaster risk reduction.

Speaking directly to the graduates, Opaluwah urged them to nurture prayer, discipline, curiosity, courage, and emotional resilience as they begin their professional journeys.

He challenged them to confront real social problems by asking: “How can I solve a challenge in my community?” and “How can I make life better for others through business, ideas, ministry, advocacy, etc.” Professional success, he said, must always align with faithfulness, stewardship, and a commitment to serving others.

He closed his address with a final call to action that echoed through the hall: “Therefore, go and build the future, not just with bricks and blueprints, but with the Spirit of God!”