With chemical engineering’s potential to drive Nigeria’s economic transformation, stakeholders in the profession have emphasised the need for practitioners to develop essential skills in risk management spanning vital sectors such as oil and gas processing, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy, ultimately towards boosting Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and limiting losses.

The Executive Director, Industrial Risks Protection Consultant Limited (IRPC), Jacob Adeosun, led the call at a public lecture organised by the Board of Trustees of Engineer Anthony Olufemi Shobo Foundation for Chemical Engineering Education and Research. This was under the auspices of the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers (NSChE) in honour of the doyen of Chemical Engineering in Nigeria, Anthony Shobo, who turns 95 this weekend in Lagos.

The forum featured the presentation of certificates and cheques to the four best winners in the scholarship scheme instituted for students of chemical engineering who participated from across Nigerian universities.

The first winner of the scholarship scheme, Miss Alero Afinotan of the Covenant University, won the sum of N1 million, the second winner, Miss Judith Opoke, a student of University of Calabar, got N600, 000, the third winner, David Ibok of Covenant University won the sum of N400, 000 while the fourth winner, Victory Ohre from the Federal University of Petroleum, Effurun, received N250, 000.

Speaking on “Industrial risk management and chemical engineering profession in today’s world,” Adeosun, who was the guest speaker, argued that all engineers must aspire to have risk management competence, as their roles are crucial to the survival of critical sectors from oil and gas to manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and waste management industries.

“The chemical engineer is a versatile problem-solver embedded in nearly every sector of the global economy. The profession has become cross-functional, dynamic, and indispensable to modern industrial risk management. New imperative core skills now include systems thinking and holistic analysis, quantitative and statistical modelling process optimisation under new constraints, hazards identification and root cause analysis, multi-variable problems solving,” he said.

Chairman, BoT of the foundation, Prof Ayo Ogunye, said it is fitting that Pa Shobo education foundation, established in recognition of his lifelong commitment to education, professional excellence, and human development, continues to uphold the ideals that he has championed throughout his life.

He said: “The foundation stands as a living testament to his belief that education is the most powerful tool for transforming lives and building a better society. Through these scholarships and research grants, the foundation is investing in young talents, helping them overcome financial barriers, and encouraging them to pursue academic and professional excellence,” he said.

He disclosed that the foundation has continued to make steady progress, adding that through the generosity of donors, prudent stewardship, and the unwavering support of friends and well-wishers, its assets have now grown.

This achievement, he said, is a significant milestone that has positioned the foundation to expand its support for students and educational initiatives in the years ahead.