Stakeholders urge engineers to embrace entrepreneurship for Nigeria’s growth
From L-R: Chairman, Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) Ibeju-Lekki Branch, Mr Olufemi Dare; Chairman, Ibeju-lekki LGA, Mr Abdullahi Olowa; at the maiden public lecture of NSE Ibeju-Lekki Branch and dinner on Wednesday night
Lagos, April 2026 (TBL Africa) Stakeholders in engineering have called on Nigerian engineers to embrace entrepreneurship and innovation to drive socio-economic growth and national development.
The stakeholders made the call at the maiden public lecture and induction of new members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Ibeju-Lekki Branch.
The branch held the event alongside its annual dinner on Wednesday in honour of Mr Abdullahi Olowa, Chairman, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area.
The event had the theme: “The Role of Engineers in Driving Nigeria’s Socio-Economic Growth through Entrepreneurship”.
A former National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Dr Olufummilade Akingbagbohun, said Nigeria was faced with infrastructure deficits, high unemployment rate, rising youth population, limited industrialisation and heavy dependence on imports.
She, however, noted that the country also had enormous opportunities, including a large domestic market, abundant natural resources and a growing technology ecosystem.
According to her, engineers must convert these challenges into entrepreneurial opportunities and provide practical solutions to national problems.
“We must stop talking and begin to act. Engineers are problem solvers and must take responsibility for building infrastructure and creating opportunities,” she said.
She added that global trends were shifting toward electric vehicles, compressed natural gas and hybrid systems, urging Nigerian engineers to align with the developments.
Akingbagbohun, also the guest speaker at the event, stressed the need to support young innovators and create platforms that would discourage migration of talents.
The President of NSE, Mr Ali Rabiu, represented by a former Chairman of NSE Lagos Branch, Mr Ayotunde Ogunnoiki, said engineers had a critical role to play in building a resilient and prosperous economy.
He called on governments to create an enabling environment for engineering practice through effective policies, infrastructure development and support for innovation.
Rabiu also urged corporate organisations to prioritise local content by patronising indigenous engineering firms to boost capacity and create jobs.
The keynote speaker emphasised the need to integrate entrepreneurship into engineering education.
He said many engineers lacked business knowledge, which limited their abilities to innovate and create enterprises.
“Engineering students must be exposed to entrepreneurial principles, as most modern businesses are driven by technology,” he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of NSE Ibeju-Lekki Branch, Mr Olufemi Dare, said the event marked the branch’s first public lecture and induction ceremony.
Dare said the lecture was aimed at promoting innovation and value creation.
He said the branch remained committed to professional excellence, capacity development and positioning Ibeju-Lekki as a leading engineering hub.
The chairman urged newly-inducted members to uphold ethical standards, pursue continuous development and make meaningful contributions to society.
25 new members were inducted into the society at the event.
A scholarship award of N1.5 million was given to a PhD student, while members of the branch born in April were celebrated.
