President Bola Tinubu has commended the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) for upholding professional and ethical standards of engineering practice in the country.

Mr Tinubu gave the commendation at the opening of the 2025 Nigerian Society of Engineers International Conference, Exhibition and Annual General Meeting on Tuesday in Ibadan.

The conference’s theme is “Engineering Innovation for a Sustainable Blue Economy in Nigeria.”

The president, represented by the minister of state for works, Bello Goronyo, emphasised that no nation could rise beyond the quality of its engineering profession.

Mr Tinubu said that the NSE has remained a strong pillar, providing direction, training, advocacy, and quality assurance to the engineering ecosystem in Nigeria.

The president noted that the success of many national infrastructural projects in the country was tied to the tireless efforts of Nigerian engineers, both at home and in the diaspora.

Mr Tinubu said that the theme of the conference could not have come at a better time, adding that his administration is intensifying efforts to reposition Nigeria’s infrastructure landscape.

“Our administration has placed engineering innovation and infrastructure renewal at the centre of our national transformation agenda.

“Through the Renewed Hope Agenda, we are investing heavily in national road development, housing, energy infrastructure, water systems, climate‑resilient agriculture, digital technology, and transportation networks.

”Furthermore, our agenda prioritises local engineering capacity, ensuring that young professionals have opportunities to participate meaningfully in nation‑building projects.

“Our aim is clear: to make Nigeria a hub of engineering excellence in Africa”, he said.

In her remarks, the president and chairman‑in‑council of the NSE,  Margaret Oguntala, said that it was a deliberate policy of the NSE to take its annual conference to different states in the country.

Ms Oguntala said that this was aimed at bringing the conference closer to members in the host location and boosting the economy of the host state.

She lauded Governor Seyi Makinde for his efforts and support in ensuring that the conference recorded a remarkably successful outcome.

The conference keynote speaker, Isiaka Oyetola, minister of marine and blue economy, said that it is not a gainsaying that the Marine and Blue Economy sectors are driven by engineering.

Represented by the executive director of marine and operations at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Olalekan Badmus, Mr Oyetola said that the country’s vision could not be realised without skills, creativity, and innovative solutions from engineers.

The minister said that Nigeria’s recent election into “Category C “of the International Maritime Organisation marks a major diplomatic and technical milestone.

“It reaffirms global confidence in Nigeria’s leadership, reforms, and commitment to safe, secure, and environmentally responsible shipping.

“This achievement also places greater responsibility on us to strengthen engineering capacity, innovation, and regional collaboration,” he said.

In his keynote address, Mr Makinde said that the quality of the conference’s activities was a reminder of the engineering values, which include excellence, integrity, competence, and teamwork.

Represented by his wife, Tamunominni Makinde, the governor said that the values represent the vital role that engineering plays in shaping cities and enhancing national development.

The highlight of the event was the conferment of fellowship awards on the wife of the governor and honorary fellowship awards on other dignitaries present.

(NAN)