NSE President Urges Tinubu to Enforce Use of Nigerian Engineers

The President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to enforce existing laws and policies mandating the engagement of Nigerian engineers in major infrastructure projects across the country.

Speaking at his investiture as the 35th President of the Society, Engr. Rabiu said the full implementation of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda and the “Buy Nigeria First” policy would remain incomplete unless Nigerian engineers are placed at the centre of national development.

He noted that despite the provisions of the COREN Act and Executive Order 5, many government projects valued in trillions of naira continue to exclude local engineering professionals, particularly at the design, supervision, and certification stages.

“It may shock Mr. President to know that MDAs, especially infrastructure-related ministries such as Works, Power, Water Resources, and the Federal Capital Territory Administration, have largely observed these laws in the breach,” he said.

According to him, the failure to engage Nigerian engineers has resulted in poor project delivery, inflated costs, and an overreliance on foreign technical expertise, with negative implications for sustainability and capacity development.

Engr. Rabiu stressed that engineering should be accorded the same institutional respect as law and accounting in national policy formulation and decision-making, noting that engineering practice in Nigeria is already regulated by law.

He further expressed concern that the supervisory role of the Federal Ministry of Works over engineering practice has not translated into strong support for the profession, describing the situation as a major setback to building a sustainable engineering ecosystem.

Beyond advocacy, the NSE President outlined plans to reposition the Society as a standards-driven and ideas-led institution capable of shaping public policy, driving innovation, and delivering measurable value to the nation.

He also welcomed the Federal Government’s initiative to upgrade technical colleges nationwide, pledging the NSE’s support to strengthen technical and vocational education, empower youths, and reduce dependence on foreign technical labour.

Calling for unity within the profession, Engr. Rabiu urged Nigerian engineers to rise with renewed purpose, stressing that the ongoing reset of the NSE is aimed at delivering Nigerian solutions, by Nigerian professionals, for Nigeria’s future.