The President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mr Ali Rabiu, has urged engineers across the country to actively participate in politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Rabiu made the call on Tuesday during an online interactive session with members, where he presented a midterm report on the state of the society.
He outlined the growing role of engineers in governance, infrastructure advocacy, and policy reforms.
He urged engineers to join credible political platforms and contest elective positions to strengthen professional representation in governance and public policy.
Rabiu said the NSE remained committed to supporting engineers aspiring to political office as part of its vision to enhance professional representation in government policy spaces.
According to him, some members had already obtained nomination forms for political positions, citing the Adamawa Central Senatorial District, where two senior engineers are aspiring to the Senate.
He said the NSE had sustained advocacy on national issues, including electoral reforms, power sector governance, and federal budget implementation.
Rabiu noted that the society’s intervention on the National Assembly’s resolution against electronic transmission of election results contributed to the reversal of the decision.
He added that the NSE also wrote an open letter to President Bola Tinubu on the newly inaugurated Grid Asset Management Company of Nigeria.
According to him, the society recommended that the company should be led by an experienced Nigerian power engineer.
Rabiu informed members that the Federal Government recently appointed him to chair a special intervention committee on engineering and technology faculties in federal universities.
He said the appointment reflected the government’s confidence in the technical competence and credibility of the NSE.
Rabiu said the society approved the establishment of the Oredo Branch in Edo State, bringing the total number of branches nationwide to 94.
He added that the NSE had begun a comprehensive review of its fellowship admission process to restore the prestige of the cadre.
According to him, the fellowship application portal had been temporarily closed pending completion of the review.
Rabiu also said the NSE was strengthening its landed assets portfolio.
He disclosed that the society had obtained the Certificate of Occupancy for its Bwari mass housing land in the Federal Capital Territory.
He said redevelopment had commenced on the Gwarinpa property, while the Kubwa property was being marketed to raise funds for the housing scheme.
Rabiu noted that renovation of the Lagos National Engineering Centre was ongoing in phases.
He added that legal efforts were continuing to secure the extension land for the Lagos National Engineering Centre.
Rabiu said the NSE had expanded its international engagements through collaborations with African engineering bodies.
He disclosed that the society had become a founding partner of the Federation of African Engineering Organisations Academy.
According to him, the academy would support continuing professional development and knowledge sharing across Africa.
Rabiu said membership admissions increased significantly in 2026, with 1,797 corporate members admitted between January and March, representing a 35.1 per cent increase over the same period in 2025.
He added that the society had advanced its digital transformation agenda through electronic document management and an integrated e-library.
According to him, financially up-to-date members would benefit from subsidized travel services under a new partnership with KiakiaGo Travels Ltd.
Rabiu said preparations were ongoing for the 2026 International Engineering Conference and Annual General Meeting in Maiduguri, adding that the conference portal had opened and registration was gaining momentum among members.
Also speaking, the NSE Deputy President, Mrs Valerie Agberagba, said the current five-month-old administration had focused on building trust, improving membership engagement, and repositioning the society to drive stronger national development.
“We are moving in the right direction. A professional, united, and advanced society that serves its members and the nation is what the current administration is interested in building.
“We are taking all the necessary steps to ensure that this is accomplished. We have also increased key policy submissions to the Federal Government,” she said.
