The President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Ali Rabiu, has called on engineers across the country to prioritise financial literacy and business intelligence in order to remain competitive and economically stable in a rapidly evolving professional landscape.
Speaking through Margaret Oguntala, the immediate past president of the society, Mr Rabiu delivered the remarks at the 2026 Annual Business Luncheon of the NSE Ikeja Branch, held on Wednesday in Lagos. The event brought together engineers, policymakers, investors and industry stakeholders under the theme, ‘Reclaiming the Built Environment Value Chain: Strengthening Regulation and Investment in Nigeria’s Construction Ecosystem.’
Mr Rabiu emphasised that technical competence alone is no longer sufficient. He urged engineers to develop entrepreneurial abilities, strategic thinking and sound financial management skills to sustain their professional relevance.
He commended the Ikeja Branch for sustaining the annual luncheon as a vital platform for networking and stakeholder engagement, noting that the construction industry remains a key driver of national development. However, he added, restoring value in the sector will require effective regulation, ethical conduct, sustainable investment and stronger collaboration among stakeholders.
“Engineers must broaden their knowledge beyond technical practice and understand the economic realities shaping the construction industry,” Mr Rabiu said. He also encouraged young engineers to commit to continuous learning and innovation.
In a keynote address, Misbau Aminu, Vice President of Advocacy at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, urged engineers to take greater control of their professional value chain. He advised them to diversify into manufacturing, trading and other profitable segments of the construction sector, moving beyond consultancy and design.
Mr Aminu also called for legislation to establish a professionally managed concrete industry, arguing that poor concrete handling by unqualified artisans is a major cause of building collapses. “Concrete production and handling should be regulated professionally because lives and investments depend on structural integrity,” he said.
He further encouraged engineers to become more active in policy advocacy and public administration, particularly in infrastructure, housing and power sectors, where greater engineering input is needed in governance.
Ganiyu Oseni, Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Broadband, Innovation and Technology, highlighted Lagos State’s investment in digital infrastructure, describing broadband and data networks as essential to modern cities. He called for integrating digital infrastructure into urban planning and construction projects from the design stage.
Panelists at the event advocated for stricter enforcement of the National Building Code, certification of artisans, and structured vocational training to address weak supervision and poor compliance. They noted that while Nigeria has adequate regulations, implementation remains a persistent challenge.
The chairman of the planning committee, Babajide Ajanaku, thanked participants for their support and wished them safe journeys home.
