Nigerian Society of Engineers: The Journey, challenges, and future prospects, by Engr. Bello Gwarzo Abdullahi, FNSE
Just as by standing on the shoulders of giants we can become even bigger giants, so it is that by climbing on the spires of skyscrapers, engineers can reach for ever taller skyscrapers. If this be hubris, it is an admirable trait that has, on balance, led to cumulative progress in which engineers and non-engineers alike take pride.
— Henry Petroski in “The Hubris of Extreme Engineering”
This statement remains very relevant. It underscores the visionary role engineers must continue to play in radically transforming our society. It challenges us to be bold in thought and action, knowing that the feats already accomplished by engineers across the world — including Nigeria — are a testament to the boundless potential of the human intellect.
According to contemporary definitions, engineering is not just the application of science and mathematics; it is the art of turning ideas into reality — shaping environments, solving problems, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. However, the success of engineering ventures is dependent not only on technical competence but also on political will, socio-economic conditions, and cultural alignment. Engineering thrives when all these factors operate in synergy.
In this spirit, I revisit this discourse — originally written in 2008 — to reflect on the progress, assess current realities, and present actionable ideas for a more impactful and responsive Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).
Genesis and Evolution of NSE
The NSE was born in 1958 from the patriotic vision of 32 young Nigerian engineers and engineering students in London. Their mission was clear: to challenge colonial-era discrimination and to secure a dignified and recognized space for Nigerian engineers in national development.
From this humble beginning, the NSE has grown to become a powerful professional body, with over 70,000 members in 2025, spanning various engineering disciplines and sectors. Over the decades, the Society has evolved into a strong platform for advocacy, regulation, capacity building, and professional excellence. Yet, despite this numerical growth, there remain concerns about the influence, visibility, and societal impact of Nigerian engineers, both within and outside government.
Milestones and Achievements
Some achievements in the past decade and a half deserve recognition:
1. Regulatory Strengthening
The COREN Act continues to be the legal backbone of engineering regulation in Nigeria. Its most recent amendment in 2023 empowered COREN to better enforce compliance and protect the local industry from exploitation by foreign firms operating without proper collaboration.
2. Engineering Infrastructure Upgrades
The National Engineering Infrastructure Database (NEID), launched in 2022, has become a national repository of engineering projects, professionals, and innovations — enhancing transparency and enabling Nigerian engineers to showcase their competencies.
3. Digital Transformation
The NSE has embraced digital platforms, offering virtual CPD (Continuing Professional Development), webinars, and an online repository of technical papers. Young engineers now benefit from mentorship programs and digital skills training in areas like AI, IoT, renewable energy, and mechatronics.
4. Policy Engagement
Engineers are gradually finding their voice in national policy formulation. The participation of NSE representatives in legislative committees, infrastructural planning units, and presidential task forces shows growing confidence in engineering expertise at the national level.
5. Flagship Projects
In collaboration with TETFund, several federal universities have upgraded their engineering faculties, now housing world-class laboratories. Private-public partnerships have also seen Nigerian engineers lead in projects like the Lagos Metro Blue Line, Second Niger Bridge, and renewable energy microgrids in underserved communities.
Persistent and Emerging Challenges
Despite these gains, the profession continues to face persistent hurdles:
1. Marginalization in National Development
Foreign firms still dominate major engineering contracts in Nigeria. Even with local content laws in place, implementation is weak. Nigerian engineers are often brought in only as subcontractors or local fronts, denying them the experience and financial benefits.
2. Weak Industry-Academia Linkages
University curricula remain largely theoretical. There is inadequate alignment with industry needs, resulting in graduates with limited practical experience and outdated skills.
3. Limited Funding and R&D Investment
Engineering research remains underfunded. Nigeria still imports most of its technological solutions instead of encouraging homegrown innovation through grants, incubators, and industrial research clusters.
4. Brain Drain and Youth Disillusionment
A significant number of engineering graduates are leaving Nigeria or switching careers. Many see the profession as underappreciated and financially unrewarding. This has implications for future capacity and national development.
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5. Ethical Decline
Corruption and compromise of professional standards by some practitioners continue to undermine the integrity of the profession.
The Way Forward: A Call to Action in 2025 and Beyond
In 1987, Engr. Ife Akintunde lamented that NSE’s recommendations had largely fallen on deaf ears. In 2025, the question remains: Are we still being ignored, or have we failed to assert ourselves properly?
A few concrete proposals:
1. Engineer-Led Policy Advocacy
The NSE must step beyond its advisory role and actively lobby for the domestication of engineering services. No country develops without leveraging its own professionals. We must push for full implementation of the Executive Order 5 on local content.
2. Nigerian Engineering Innovation Fund (NEIF)
A dedicated fund — backed by government and the private sector — should be created to finance engineering research, product development, and tech startups run by engineers.
3. Institutional Reforms
NSE and COREN must adopt real-time monitoring tools to track engineering projects, enforce compliance, and penalize professional misconduct.
4. Skills for the Future
The NSE must champion the integration of emerging technologies — AI, robotics, additive manufacturing, renewable energy — into national engineering curricula and retraining programs.
5. Mentorship and Succession
Senior engineers must invest in the younger generation through mentoring, internships, and funding opportunities. The profession must become a family, not just a guild.
6. National Engineering Service Corps (NESC)
A proposal worth considering is a compulsory post-NYSC national service program where young engineers serve in rural infrastructure development, supporting government and community-driven projects.
Conclusion: A Profession at the Crossroads
As we mark 67 years of the NSE, we must ask ourselves — are we spectators in Nigeria’s development, or are we drivers of it?
The Nigerian engineer must rise above docility, entitlement, and self-pity. We must occupy our rightful place in national discourse, policy, and execution. The path ahead requires courage, unity, professional integrity, and selfless leadership.
It is time we break the chains of dependency on foreign consultants. It is time Nigerian engineers build the roads, bridges, power plants, refineries, dams, and smart cities of our dreams — not as bystanders, but as architects of destiny.
Let us brace ourselves, not just for future challenges, but for future leadership. Let us deploy our tools, our minds, and our vision for a truly developed Nigeria. The potential of the Nigerian engineer is limitless — but potential means nothing unless it is activated.
Bravo NSE! The next chapter begins now.
bgabdullahi@gmail.com
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