The president of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Ali Rabiu, has urged engineers across the nation to actively participate in politics as 2027 elections approach.
Mr Rabiu made the call on Tuesday 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.
The NSE president said engineers should join credible political platforms and contest elective offices to strengthen professional representation in governance and public policy.
Mr 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.
Mr Rabiu 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.
Mr 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.
Mr 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.
Mr 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.Mr 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 added that said the NSE 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.Mr 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.
Mr 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.(NAN)
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