…….NSE urges greater investment in renewable energy, smarter infrastructure and local innovation to tackle climate change.

Professional engineers under the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) have called for urgent investment in climate-resilient infrastructure and renewable energy, warning that climate change is already disrupting Nigeria’s economy, security and power supply.

The call was made at the Olorunfemi Ademola Colloquium in Lagos, where engineering professionals, policymakers and industry leaders examined practical solutions to the country’s growing climate challenges.

The annual policy lecture, organised by the Ikeja Branch of the NSE, was themed “Renewable Energy and Climate Change: Opportunities and Challenges.”

Climate change is already affecting Nigeria

Delivering the keynote address, energy expert Olufemi Dosumu said Nigeria possesses enormous renewable energy potential but continues to underperform globally.

According to him, the country enjoys abundant sunshine, wind resources, coastal advantages and extensive water bodies that could support large-scale clean energy generation.

Despite these advantages, Africa contributes only about 82 gigawatts, representing 1.6 per cent of the world’s renewable energy capacity of 5,149 gigawatts. He also noted that the continent generates only about three per cent of global electricity.

Dosumu warned that climate change is no longer a distant environmental issue but one with direct consequences for national development.

He linked the shrinking of Lake Chad to worsening insecurity in Nigeria’s North-East and said the loss of grazing land has intensified migration and farmer-herder conflicts across several states.

Engineers urged to lead renewable energy innovation

Dosumu identified inadequate financing, unreliable transmission infrastructure, inconsistent policies and a shortage of technical expertise as major barriers to renewable energy adoption in Nigeria.

He urged engineers to focus on developing smarter battery storage systems, modular renewable energy solutions and local manufacturing capacity.

He also encouraged professionals to view climate action as an economic opportunity, noting that trillions of dollars are being invested globally in clean energy technologies.

“Nigeria should position its engineers to drive innovation, create businesses and compete in the expanding global green economy,” he said.

Nigeria’s net-zero target

The keynote speaker said Nigeria’s transition agenda aligns with its commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060.

He explained that the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions target a reduction of about 185 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from 2018 levels while increasing renewable energy’s share of the national energy mix from roughly 20 per cent to 52 per cent.

He stressed that achieving those targets would require stronger collaboration between government, industry and engineering professionals.

NSE seeks practical solutions

Chairperson of the NSE Ikeja Branch, Nimot Muili, described reliable and affordable energy as the foundation of economic productivity and resilient infrastructure.

She said the colloquium was designed to move conversations beyond theory by promoting practical and scalable engineering solutions.

According to Muili, the lecture series honours former NSE President Ademola Olorunfemi while connecting engineering leadership with Nigeria’s broader development priorities.

Also speaking, NSE President Ali Rabiu said engineering must remain central to Nigeria’s industrial and economic transformation.

He commended Olorunfemi’s leadership for promoting Nigerian content through nationwide engineering workshops and encouraging the procurement of locally manufactured products, including vehicles, for official use.

Rabiu said strengthening indigenous engineering capacity would be critical to delivering sustainable infrastructure and accelerating Nigeria’s transition to a cleaner energy future.

Why it matters

The engineers argued that climate-resilient infrastructure is no longer optional for Nigeria as rising temperatures, flooding, desertification and energy insecurity continue to threaten economic growth and public safety.

They urged governments and the private sector to increase investment in renewable energy, research, local manufacturing and resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding the impacts of climate change.

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The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) has called for the creation of a supportive and enabling environment to encourage girls and women to develop interest and thrive in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

The appeal was made by a former President of the association, Felicia Agubata, during a virtual APWEN Insight Series themed, “Women and Girls in Science and Engineering: Building the Future Pipeline.”

The Insight Series, an initiative of APWEN, is designed to promote professional development, technical advancement and leadership growth among women engineers, while also inspiring young girls to pursue careers in STEM.

Preventing Leakages in STEM Pipeline

Agubata stressed that sparking early interest in science-related subjects, ensuring retention through mentorship, and sustaining advocacy efforts are crucial to preventing what she described as “leakages” in the female STEM participation pipeline.

According to her, beyond classroom instruction, deliberate structural support systems are needed to nurture talent, remove barriers and ensure continuity for girls pursuing careers in science and engineering.

She noted that access to mentorship, scholarships, inclusive policies and visible female role models would significantly improve participation and long-term retention.

From Rural Beginnings to Engineering Leadership

Reflecting on her personal journey, Agubata described herself as a determined rural girl raised in a post-war environment shaped by deprivation but strengthened by resilience.

She recounted supporting her late mother through petty trading and farm work while maintaining academic excellence and participating actively in sports. Her passion for hands-on problem-solving and practical innovation, she said, ultimately led her into engineering.

Agubata urged young girls to embrace hard work, discipline, community support and a strong sense of responsibility as essential pillars for success in technical professions.

Recognising Trailblazers in Engineering

The former APWEN president commended the founding members of the association for laying a strong advocacy foundation since its establishment in 1982.

She also referenced pioneering women who have broken barriers in engineering and related industries, including Margaret Oguntala, the first female President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).

Agubata noted that such trailblazers have demonstrated that women can excel across diverse sectors, including oil and gas, consulting, infrastructure development and academia.

Building a Structured Career Pathway

In her remarks, the current APWEN President, Chinyere Igwegbe, encouraged young engineers to take deliberate and strategic steps towards building sustainable and impactful careers.

Igwegbe explained that the theme of the event was carefully crafted to highlight the processes, stages and foundational building blocks required to nurture and sustain the next generation of engineering professionals.

“Building the future pipeline represents the structured pathway through which aspiring engineers must pass, equipped with the right knowledge, mentorship and professional values necessary for long-term success,” she said.

She emphasised that mentorship and structured professional guidance remain central to strengthening female participation in the engineering profession.

Strengthening Nigeria’s STEM Future

APWEN reiterated its commitment to promoting inclusivity in engineering and creating platforms that empower girls and women to compete globally in science and technology.

Stakeholders at the event agreed that improving STEM participation among girls is not only a gender issue but also a national development priority. Expanding the talent pool in engineering and technology, they said, would drive innovation, industrial growth and economic competitiveness.

As Nigeria continues to push for technological advancement and industrial expansion, APWEN’s advocacy underscores the importance of creating supportive policies, accessible opportunities and strong mentorship networks to secure the future pipeline of female engineers.

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The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has urged a new approach to solving Africa’s housing problems. They want solutions that are innovative, collaborative, and locally driven.

Margaret Oguntala, the President of NSE, made this call at the 2025 Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) held in Abuja. She was the special guest of honour at the event.

Oguntala described the event’s theme “Re-imagining Housing: Overcoming Challenges to Opportunities through Innovation, Collaboration and Policy” as both timely and forward-thinking.

She said, “Access to decent housing is a basic human right. It is also vital for sustainable development.”

Oguntala stressed that African governments need to act quickly. She called for more investments in housing, better policies, and stronger partnerships across all levels.

According to her, many countries are already adopting new building methods. These include prefabricated housing, modular designs, 3D-printed homes, and the use of recycled and carbon-storing materials.

She also noted that financing models are changing. Tools like co-ownership, crowdfunding, and community-led projects are helping more people access affordable housing.

The NSE President said the group supports the use of local materials and technologies. She believes this will lower costs, create jobs, and boost local economies.

“Using local content in construction is key. It makes housing more affordable and benefits our people,” she said.

Oguntala also called for better teamwork. She said that real change in the housing sector will come only if all players work together.

These include government bodies, developers, financial experts, policymakers, and international partners.

“We must join forces,” she said. “Innovation, shared goals, and strong cooperation will help us build the future of housing in Africa.”

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