The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that both young and older members acquire new skills through continuous professional education and career training to enhance national development.

The society also challenged engineers to actively participate in politics ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections by voting, contesting elective positions and contributing to national policy formulation.

President of the NSE, Ali Rabiu, stated this during the society’s presidential media chat held virtually, where he presented a mid-term report on the state of the engineering body and highlighted the growing role of engineers in governance, infrastructure advocacy and policy reforms.

Rabiu pledged that the society would continue to support professional development and knowledge sharing across Africa, particularly with affiliated engineering bodies. He disclosed that membership admissions increased significantly in 2026 with the admission of 1,797 corporate members between January and March, representing a 35.1 per cent increase over the same period in 2025.

He also said the society had begun a comprehensive review of its fellowship admission process to restore the prestige of the cadre. Rabiu added that the society approved the establishment of a new branch in Edo State, raising the total number of branches nationwide to 94.

On the role of engineers in the political process, he said practitioners should join credible political platforms and contest elective offices to strengthen professional representation in governance and public policy.

He assured that the NSE remained committed to supporting any engineer aspiring to political office as part of its vision to deepen professional participation in government policy spaces.

Rabiu revealed that some members of the society had already obtained nomination forms to contest senatorial positions ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to him, the NSE has sustained advocacy on national issues, including electoral reforms, power sector governance and federal budget implementation. He noted that the society had previously written an open letter to President Bola Tinubu on the inauguration of the Grid Asset Management Company of Nigeria, recommending that an experienced Nigerian power engineer should head the company.

Rabiu further disclosed that the Federal Government recently appointed him to chair a special intervention committee on engineering and technology faculties in federal universities.

He noted that the appointment reflected the government’s confidence in the competence and credibility of Nigerian engineers.

Speaking on housing development, he said the society had obtained the Certificate of Occupancy for its Bwari mass housing land in the Federal Capital Territory, while redevelopment had commenced on its Gwarinpa property. According to him, the Kubwa property is also being marketed to raise funds for the society’s housing scheme.

On her part, NSE Deputy President, Valerie Agberagba, said the engineering leadership is focused on building trust, improving membership engagement and repositioning the society to drive stronger national development.