The Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers, Kano State chapter, on Saturday, inaugurated the first female chairperson, Maryam Balla.

Mrs Balla, elected in December 2024 alongside eight other executives, takes over from Murtala Garba to serve a two-year term.

Speaking at the inauguration in Kano, Mr Garba described Mrs Balla’s emergence as a significant milestone in the advancement of women in the engineering profession in Nigeria.

He acknowledged her wealth of experience and exceptional leadership qualities, stating they made her an ideal choice for the role.

He said, “I have no doubt that she is equal to the task. I urge her to continue fostering collaboration among members, encourage research, and empower younger engineers to excel. I also pledge my full support in the discharge of her duties.’’

Mr Garba highlighted his own achievements during his two-year tenure, including the registration of 60 new engineers, organisation of numerous capacity-building workshops, and conducting professional training sessions to enhance the skills of engineers.

He said, “Additionally, the chapter engaged in community outreach initiatives, promoting the role of civil engineering in local development. I am proud of the progress we have made as a chapter, and it has been an honour to serve. We have made great strides in advancing civil engineering in Kano. I believe our efforts will have a lasting impact.”

In his remarks, the National Chairman of NICE, Ajanaku Antoni, commended the Kano State chapter of the institute for its dedication and hard work.

Represented by the National Vice Chairman, Prof. Hashim Alhassan, he congratulated the chapter on the successful election of the new executive members and urged them to build on the achievements of their predecessors.

He said, “I congratulate you on the election of the new executives and the achievements made under the leadership of Murtala Garba. I urge you to continue working hard and remain steadfast in your commitment to advancing civil engineering in Nigeria.”

In her acceptance speech, Mrs Balla pledged to foster innovation, enhance the welfare of civil engineers, and ensure the institution contributed to national infrastructure development.

“I am honoured to be entrusted with this responsibility. My vision is to support the continued advancement of civil engineering in the state,” she said.

Mrs Balla emphasised the importance of greater inclusivity and diversity in the engineering field and encouraged young women to consider careers in the profession.

She also stressed the need for inter-agency collaboration to advance the sector and pledged to work with similar professional organisations.

She called on members, stakeholders, and relevant agencies to support her in fulfilling her responsibilities.

The event was attended by senior government officials, engineers, and key stakeholders from the construction and infrastructure sectors.

(NAN)