By Olatunde Ajayi
The President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mr Ali Rabiu, has urged engineers across the nation to actively participate in politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Rabiu made the call during an online interactive session with members, where he presented a midterm report on the state of the engineering body.
He outlined the growing role of engineers in governance, infrastructure advocacy and policy reforms.
He said engineers should join credible political platforms and contest elective offices to strengthen professional representation in governance and public policy.
Rabiu said that the NSE remained committed to supporting any engineer aspiring to political office as part of its vision to enhance professional representation in government policy spaces.
He said few members had already picked forms for political positions citing Adamawa Central Senatorial District as an example, where two senior engineers were aspiring for the Senate.
He said the NSE had sustained advocacy on national issues, including electoral reforms, power sector governance, and federal budget implementation.
According to him, the society’s intervention on the National Assembly’s resolution against electronic transmission of election results contributed to a reversal of the decision.
Rabiu said the NSE also wrote an open letter to President Bola Tinubu on the newly inaugurated Grid Asset Management Company of Nigeria.
He said the society recommended that the company should be led by an experienced Nigerian power engineer.
Rabiu informed his members that the Federal Government recently appointed him to chair a special intervention committee on engineering and technology faculties in federal universities.
He said the appointment reflected the government’s confidence in the technical competence and credibility of the NSE.
Rabiu said the society approved the establishment of the Oredo Branch in Edo, raising the total number of branches nationwide to 94.
He said the society had begun a comprehensive review of its fellowship admission process to restore the prestige of the cadre.
Rabiu said the fellowship application portal had been temporarily closed pending completion of the review.
He said the NSE was also strengthening its landed assets portfolio.
He said the society obtained the Certificate of Occupancy for its Bwari mass housing land in the Federal Capital Territory.
He said redevelopment had commenced on the Gwarinpa property, while the Kubwa property was being marketed to raise funds for the housing scheme.
Rabiu said renovation of the Lagos National Engineering Centre was ongoing in phases.
He added that legal efforts were continuing to secure the Lagos National Engineering Centre extension land.
Rabiu said the NSE had expanded its international engagements through collaborations with African engineering bodies.
He disclosed the society became a founding partner of the Federation of African Engineering Organisations Academy.
He pledged that the academy would support continuing professional development and knowledge sharing across Africa.
The President said membership admissions increased significantly in 2026 with the admission of 1,797 corporate members between January and March, representing a 35.1 per cent increase over the same period in 2025.
He said the society had advanced its digital transformation agenda through electronic document management and an integrated e-library.
According to him, financially up-to-date members would benefit from subsidised travel services under a new partnership with KiakiaGo Travels Ltd.
He said preparations were progressing for the 2026 International Engineering Conference and Annual General Meeting in Maiduguri adding that the conference portal had opened and registration was gaining momentum among members.
Also, the NSE Deputy President, Mrs Valerie Agberagba, said the current five months old administration had focused on building trust, improving membership engagement, and repositioning the society towards driving stronger nationwide development.
“We are moving in the right direction. A professional, united, and advanced society that serves its members and the nation is what the current administration is interested in building.
“We are taking all the steps to make sure that it is accomplished. We have also increased key policy submissions to the Federal Government,” she said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Grace Alegba/Maureen Atuonwu
