The Nigerian Society of Engineers has urged President Bola Tinubu’s government to take urgent and decisive steps to address insecurity bedevilling the country. The NSE also urged the government to review the national minimum wage and raise it to reflect current economic realities.

The NSE president, Ali Rabiu, made the call in Abuja on Thursday at NSE’s 2026 Second Quarter Dinner and Admission of more than 214 Engineers as Fellows.

Mr Rabiu expressed concern over the growing wave of insecurity spreading across the country.

“The indiscriminate abduction of teachers, pupils, and other innocent citizens is unacceptable and demands urgent and sustained action by the relevant authorities,” said Mr Rabiu.

The NSE president said the primary responsibility of any government should be the protection and welfare of its citizens.

He added that issues affecting Nigerians’ well-being should receive greater attention than political considerations.

“We believe strongly that a responsible government should prioritise the well-being of its citizens above all else, including mundane considerations such as re-election campaigns. The security and welfare of the people must remain the foremost objective of governance,” the NSE president stated.

He also urged the government to undertake a substantial upward review of the national minimum wage in view of prevailing economic realities.

“As a responsible corporate citizen, the Nigerian Society of Engineers joins other well-meaning Nigerians in calling on the government to consider a substantive upward review of the national minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

“Our nation possesses the resources and capacity to improve the quality of life of its people. We can achieve this if we collectively demonstrate the necessary political will and commitment,” Mr Rabiu said.

He also expressed deep concern over the increasing wave of kidnappings and other criminal activities that continue to endanger the lives and livelihoods of citizens across the country.

Mr Rabiu noted that while NSE remained steadfast in its commitment to supporting government at all levels in the pursuit of national development objectives, there was an urgent need for greater responsiveness.

“We firmly believe that effective collaboration among government, professional bodies, academia, industry and other critical stakeholders is essential for addressing the multifaceted challenges confronting our nation. However, at this moment, we must also charge the federal government of Nigeria to be more alive to its obligations to the citizenry.

“While we recognise that elections are drawing near and political campaigns have commenced in earnest, citizens must be safe, healthy and economically empowered for democracy to thrive. We are deeply concerned about the rising rate of inflation and the increasing cost of living,” Mr Rabiu explained.

Mr Rabiu said that many Nigerians could hardly afford transportation to their places of work due to the soaring cost of petroleum products, with petrol currently selling at an average of about N1,350 per litre.

The situation, he said, placed pressure on households and businesses alike.

(NAN)