The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has charged engineers in the country to position themselves as drivers of national development by embracing innovation, ethical practices, and continuous professional growth.

The chairman of the NSE, Ibadan branch, Ayokunnu Ojedele, made the call on Friday in Ibadan during the 2026 Annual Dinner, induction of new corporate members, inauguration of new executives, and technical paper presentation of the branch.

The event was part of a week-long programme marking the branch’s 2026 Engineering Week.

Mr Ojedele said Nigeria is at a critical point in its development and that challenges in infrastructure, transportation, power, housing, water supply, manufacturing, technology, and environmental sustainability can only be addressed by competent and innovative engineers.

He noted that engineers must move beyond passive observation and take responsibility as problem-solvers who deliver solutions tailored to the local environment while upholding the highest standards of safety, quality, and ethics.

He stressed that the engineering profession must continue to play a leading role in closing the nation’s infrastructure deficit, improving productivity, supporting industrialisation, and promoting technological advancement.

According to him, development will remain slow if engineers’ contributions are not properly harnessed and guided by professionalism and accountability.

Speaking on the changing nature of the profession, the NSE chairman said artificial intelligence, automation, renewable energy, smart infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and digital engineering are reshaping how engineering is practised globally.

He urged members to commit to lifelong learning and professional development to remain competitive both locally and internationally.

Mr Ojedele urged the newly inducted members to uphold the dignity of the profession, maintain high ethical standards, and use their expertise to advance society.

The guest lecturer, Ismaila Salami of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), urged members to always put public interest first in their professional conduct.

Speaking on the theme, “Beyond the Blueprint: Engineering Excellence, Ethics, and National Development”, Mr Salami said that engineering ethics is not primarily about protecting reputation or your licence but about protecting human lives.

“The consequences of an engineer’s ethical failure are almost always borne by people who had no voice in the engineer’s decisions, such as patients, schoolchildren, commuters, workers and other people who trusted the system.

“Nigeria has the resources, the population, and the land. What Nigeria needs urgently is the engineering capacity to convert those resources into prosperity,” he said.

Similarly, NSE President Ali Rabiu, in his opening remarks, urged the new inductees to keep the profession’s ethics in their engineering design and project execution, adding that making huge profits should not be their priority.

Represented by Ezekiel Ojekunle, a pastor and former chairman of the branch, the president charged NSE fellows and other senior members to embark onmentorship programmes that will accelerate the growth of younger members.

This, he said, would help young engineers to blend standard professional conduct with their career progression.

The event also featured the inauguration of new executives who will pilot the affairs of the NSE Ibadan branch for the next term. 

(NAN)