MARGARET OGUNTALA is the President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and only female elected in 65 years of the profession. She spoke to VICTOR GBONEGUN on how professionals can mitigate the impact of inflation on the construction industry, improve access to housing, and curb migration among young professionals.

The persistent inflation is having an impact on almost all facets of life including the construction industry. Prices of construction items are skyrocketing with effects on Bill of Quantity, contracts, and variations in contract awards. How can professionals manage such development without litigation?
It is relevant, especially given the current economic situation in our country. Dealing with inflation in the construction industry can be challenging. Still, engineers have developed innovative ways to tackle it without resorting to litigation.

Engineers have their own bill, the Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME). The BEME has built-in mechanisms to prevent disputes. At the start of a project, the prices of basic construction materials are listed in the contract agreement, and these prices are used to determine the contract rates of items of work that lead to the contract sum.

For major contracts, a provision called Variation of Prices (VOP) is included, typically around five per cent of the contract sum. This provision helps to absorb any price increases in the basic construction materials that may occur during the construction period. In situations where inflation is high, the five per cent VOP can be used to cover any fluctuations in prices.

If the five per cent provision is not sufficient, requests for augmentation of the contract sum can now be entertained and that would lead to the adjustment of the contract sum upward. By agreeing to adjust the contract amount this way, stakeholders can avoid going to court. Ultimately, stakeholders can also consider reducing the scope of work if funds are unavailable for augmentation.

What are you planning to do differently to further uplift the engineering profession, especially in the women profession?
My commitment is to implement several initiatives to uplift the engineering profession, especially for women. I plan to promote gender diversity by raising awareness about its importance and providing support and mentorship to female engineers at all career levels.

Professional development is crucial to my administration’s plans, and I will ensure that female engineers are included in training programs, workshops, and seminars. Additionally, I will attract successful female engineers to form a solid network to mentor and support the community of women in engineering.

I will also advocate the recognition of female engineers’ achievements through awards and accolades to raise their profile and inspire other women to pursue careers in engineering.

Finally, I will enlist the support of other successful female professionals to lobby for changes in recruitment practices, workplace policies, and industry regulations to create a more supportive environment for female professional engineers.

A major cause for concern by practitioners is the non-patronage of indigenous engineers in projects like rail infrastructure and others by the government despite subsisting ‘Executive Order 5’ that makes it compulsory. What is NSE doing to change the situation?
Establishing a university in Katsina focusing on educating engineers in Transportation/railroad construction is a step in the right direction for Nigeria. This will enable Nigeria to close the knowledge gap between it and other countries such as China and India. Currently, the number of qualified railway engineers when compared to others like civil, mechanical, electrical is small, so the government has been relying on expatriates from other countries to help with rail infrastructure projects. However, for this approach to be sustainable, NSE is advocating for implementation of Executive Order.

The full implementation of this order will ensure that our qualified engineers are utilised and knowledge transfer occurs between expatriates and indigenous engineers. The NSE is fully committed to advocating for the increased patronage of indigenous engineers in infrastructure projects.

In this regard, we have implemented several measures, such as advocacy efforts, capacity building, partnerships, monitoring and evaluation, and policy engagement. The advocacy efforts involve engaging with government officials, policymakers, and other stakeholders to highlight the benefits of utilising local engineering expertise.

Capacity-building initiatives such as training and workshops are being provided to equip local engineers with the necessary skills and expertise. Partnerships with relevant government agencies, industry stakeholders, and international organisations are being forged to promote the involvement of indigenous engineers in infrastructure projects.

To identify areas for improvement, regular assessments are being conducted to evaluate the level of patronage of indigenous engineers in infrastructure projects. Ultimately, the NSE will actively engage with government agencies and policymakers to advocate for policies that promote the involvement of indigenous engineers in infrastructure projects.

Access to affordable housing is becoming difficult with ever-increasing prices of homes, especially by low-income earners. How can the government ameliorate the plight of this cadre of Nigerians?
To address the challenge of low-income earners accessing affordable housing in Nigeria, the government can consider implementing various measures. Firstly, introducing subsidised housing programmes aimed at assisting low-income earners with financial assistance or grants to afford housing, or offering housing units at discounted rates.

Secondly, collaboration with developers through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to construct affordable housing units will reduce construction costs and increase supply. Additionally, implementing land use reforms to reduce land acquisition costs for housing development can make housing more affordable.

This can include providing land at reduced rates or offering incentives to developers who build affordable housing. Improving infrastructure such as roads, water supply, and electricity in peri-urban and semi-urban areas can also make these areas more attractive for housing development, leading to increased supply and potentially lower prices.

Introducing or enhancing housing finance initiatives, such as mortgage schemes from the National Housing Fund (NHF) targeted at low-income earners can make it easier for them to access housing loans and purchase homes. The government should provide loans at single-digit interest rates, not the prevailing bank rates. Implementing regulatory reforms to streamline obtaining permits and approvals for housing development can reduce construction costs and make housing more affordable.

Encouraging community-led housing initiatives where communities come together to develop affordable housing projects can also be a cost-effective way to increase the supply of affordable housing. Finally, implementing rent control policies to limit the amount landlords can charge for rent can help protect low-income earners from excessive rent increases. Additionally, the government can bring down rent through the provision of numerous housing schemes.

With extreme heat and climate change issues affecting countries, sustainability experts are calling for green building adoption as one of the measures to limit effects. What is your society doing to promote green building development in the country?
To set an example, NSE headquarters in Abuja is a green building powered by solar energy. We are actively promoting green building development through various initiatives. Firstly, we advocate for adopting green building practices at all our functions to raise engineers’ and policymakers’ awareness of the benefits of green buildings.

Secondly, we provide engineers and other stakeholders with training and capacity-building programs on green building principles, technologies, and best practices to enhance their skills and knowledge.

Additionally, we are developing guidelines and standards for green building practices in Nigeria to serve as a framework for engineers and builders. We also collaborate with government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and other stakeholders to create an environment that fosters the adoption of green building practices.

Furthermore, we recognise and award projects demonstrating excellence in green building design and construction to encourage more developers and builders to adopt green building practices. Lastly, we advocate for integrating green building principles into national and local building codes and regulations to create a regulatory framework that supports and encourages green building development in Nigeria.

The poor state of the economy and its low manufacturing base is pushing many young professionals to developed countries. What does this mean for the engineering profession and how can the nation reverse this trend?
The exodus of young engineering professionals to other countries due to economic challenges poses significant obstacles for both the engineering profession and the nation. This trend can result in a shortage of skilled engineers, hindering Nigeria’s development and competitiveness in the global market.

To address this, the society has directed its branches in the diaspora to establish an “International Mobility Committee” to assist members in securing engineering jobs abroad, thus avoiding menial work.

To reverse this trend, Nigeria must focus on several key areas. Firstly, there should be a priority on diversifying the economy away from heavy reliance on oil. Investing in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, extractive industries, and technology will create more job opportunities for engineers and reduce the incentive to migrate.

Secondly, improving infrastructure across the country will not only create jobs for engineers but also attract foreign investment and stimulate economic growth.

Engineers play a crucial role in infrastructure development and can significantly contribute to the country’s progress.

Thirdly, both the government and private sector should increase investment in education and training programs for engineers. This includes providing scholarships, vocational training, and professional development opportunities to equip young engineers with the skills needed to compete globally.

Additionally, creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive, such as implementing policies that support entrepreneurship and innovation, will encourage more young engineers to stay and contribute to the country’s development.

Lastly, investing in research and development (R&D) will help Nigeria develop innovative solutions to its challenges and create new industries. This will not only retain engineers but also attract those who have left to return home, contributing to the nation’s overall development.

A major observation at the industry level is that some engineering graduates from universities lacked the competence and skill sets to compete with others. How is the NSE addressing this growing concern?
The observation you’ve raised is a concern not only in engineering but across all professions. At the NSE, we’ve implemented several initiatives to ensure that engineering graduates are competent and well-equipped to meet industry demands, thereby enhancing the overall quality of engineering education in Nigeria.

To begin, we closely collaborate with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and universities to accredit engineering programmes and regularly review the curriculum to align with industry standards. This ensures that graduates possess the necessary skills and knowledge. Moreover, we offer Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes for practicing engineers. These programmes help engineers upgrade their skills and stay abreast of the latest developments in their field, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical skills.

Furthermore, we encourage engineering students to participate in internship and industrial training programs during their studies. These programmes provide hands-on experience and expose students to real-world engineering challenges.

Additionally, we’ve implemented a mentor/mentee scheme to guide newly registered engineers, assisting them in developing their skills and navigating their careers.

Lastly, we promote collaboration between industry and academia to ensure that engineering education remains relevant and up-to-date. This collaboration includes industry visits, guest lectures, and joint research projects.

In the history of NSE, you were the first female President of the society. What does this mean to you and other female engineers in the country?
I am honoured to have been elected as the first female president of NSE. This achievement is a significant milestone not only for me but also for female engineers across Nigeria. It signifies a step forward towards gender equality and inclusivity in the engineering profession.

It breaks barriers and creates opportunities for more women to take on leadership roles. Being chosen to lead such a prestigious organisation is a humbling and privileged experience. It is also an opportunity to inspire and serve as a role model for other female engineers. This achievement is a testament to society’s progress in promoting diversity and recognising the contributions of women in the engineering field.

My presidency symbolises the possibility of achieving leadership positions and making meaningful contributions to the profession, especially for female engineers in Nigeria. It inspires them to pursue their dreams and aspirations, knowing that gender should not be a barrier to success in engineering.