By Jabiru Hassan
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to engineering-driven national development, stating that Nigeria’s growth is directly tied to the competence and innovation of its engineering community. He made the remarks on 2 December 2025 at the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) International Engineering Conference, Exhibition, and Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Speaking through the Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, President Tinubu praised the NSE for its decades-long contribution to professionalism, innovation, and advocacy in the engineering sector. He described the Society as a “strong pillar” that continues to guide Nigeria’s engineering ecosystem through training, capacity building, and quality assurance.The President noted that engineering excellence is central to Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes road durability, power infrastructure, water systems, climate-smart agriculture, housing, broadband expansion, and modern transportation. He emphasized that civil, mechanical, electrical, agricultural, chemical, software, and other engineering disciplines remain at the heart of national infrastructure development.
Tinubu explained that the Federal Government has expanded road and infrastructure investments to deepen sustainability, strengthen local content, and create opportunities for Nigerian engineers, particularly young professionals.“ Our agenda prioritizes local engineering capacity, ensuring that young professionals have meaningful opportunities to participate in national projects,” he said.
He added that the government is strengthening partnerships with universities, research institutions, and the broader engineering community to close technical gaps and encourage innovation-driven solutions. According to the President, these collaborations will support the administration’s efforts to improve the ease of doing business, promote local materials, and leverage Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) to accelerate major infrastructure projects.Tinubu assured the NSE of continuous cooperation, noting that the country would rely on the “integrity, expertise, and innovative spirit” of its engineers to build a resilient and prosperous nation.“Together, let us continue building the Nigeria we desire — brick by brick, road by road, innovation by innovation,” he added.
In a major highlight of the event, the Nigerian Society of Engineers conferred an Honorary Fellowship on the Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo. According to a letter issued by the NSE Council, Goronyo received Fellowship Number HF0043 in recognition of his “immense contributions to the promotion of engineering and national development.”The conferment ceremony took place during the conference’s opening session at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan. NSE leaders commended Goronyo’s commitment to infrastructure renewal, urban modernization, and reforms in the construction and transportation sectors.
Participants also acknowledged recent government initiatives aimed at enhancing road quality, strengthening maintenance culture, and empowering the engineering workforce. In his acceptance remarks, Goronyo congratulated the NSE for hosting a successful international conference and urged engineers to embrace emerging technologies, pursue new ideas, and build partnerships that will elevate Nigeria’s engineering capacity to global standards.
