Professor Jasper Ikpesu, Vice President of the Institute of Non-destructive Testing of Nigeria (INDTN), has urged the Federal Government to prioritize the development of citizens in Non-destructive Testing (NDT) to effectively meet local content goals and accelerate the nation's economic development. In a recent interview, Professor Ikpesu highlighted the profound relevance of NDT across Nigeria’s key economic sectors.
The INDTN’s vision is centered on promoting the advancement of science, technology, and the practice of NDT, condition monitoring, and related technologies within Nigeria. This includes establishing clear career paths for NDT practitioners, providing training and certification programmes aligned with international standards, fostering research in NDT technology, supplying essential NDT materials, and collaborating with government agencies and corporate bodies to develop and implement NDT standards nationwide.
Professor Ikpesu underscored NDT's significant role in Nigeria’s economic fabric. In the oil and gas sector, NDT is instrumental in ensuring the integrity and reliability of equipment, pipelines, and facilities, thereby mitigating risks of accidents, environmental damage, and revenue loss. This is particularly crucial given that the sector accounts for 54 percent of government revenues and 75.5 percent of Nigeria’s exports. In manufacturing, NDT techniques such as visual, magnetic particle, and ultrasonic testing enable manufacturers to detect defects, improving product quality and minimizing waste. For power generation, NDT ensures the reliability and safety of equipment, reducing downtime and enhancing efficiency. Furthermore, in infrastructure development, NDT aids in assessing the condition of vital assets like bridges, buildings, and roads, facilitating targeted maintenance and timely repairs.
The benefits of NDT extend to accident prevention, reduction of environmental damage, and a significant boost in efficiency through early defect detection, which translates to reduced downtime and increased productivity. By identifying issues before they escalate, NDT also leads to substantial cost reductions in repairs and replacements. Ultimately, NDT enhances quality, ensuring that Nigerian products and equipment meet global standards, thereby improving the nation’s reputation and competitiveness in the international market.
Addressing recent tragic occurrences of bridge collapses and aircraft incidents, Professor Ikpesu affirmed NDT’s crucial role in minimizing such disasters. He stated, "If NDT techniques are applied, industries can identify potential failures before they occur, reducing the risk of accidents." He elaborated that NDT techniques like ultrasonic testing, radiography, and acoustic emission can detect hidden defects and assess material degradation in bridge structures, enabling proactive maintenance. Similarly, for aircraft, NDT inspects critical components, detects fatigue and corrosion, and verifies repair quality, all contributing to enhanced safety.
Professor Ikpesu concluded by emphasizing that regular NDT inspections are fundamental to preventing accidents, reducing operational downtime, and ensuring the safety of both people and critical infrastructure across Nigeria's burgeoning industries.
