L-r… Vice Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Ibeju-lekki Branch, Engr. Tirimisiu Bello; Representative of Register (COREN) , Lagos Regional Coordinator for the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). Engr. Tomide Akinnawo; Guest Speaker, Chairman Lagos, Regional Steering Committee (LRSC) Engr Ibikunle Ogunbayo; Representative of (COREN) President,Lagos State Technical Committee Chairman,Engr Aramide Adeyoye; Chairman (NSE) Ibeju-Lekki Branch Engr. Olufemi Dare;Treasurer (NSE) Ibeju-lekki branch ,Engr. Dr. Omolola Adetona, Dean, School of Science and Technology, Pan Atlantic University, Dr Darlington Agholor, during the Graduate Membership induction/COREN Oath-taking Ceremony held at Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, on 3/I2 /2025… PHOTO: CHINYERE IKEANYI.
…Highlights sweeping reforms to enforce global standards at PAU induction
CHINYERE IKEANYI
The President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntala, represented by Chairman (NSE) Ibeju-Lekki Branch Engr. Olufemi Dare, on Wednesday, delivered a stirring charge to newly inducted graduate engineers, declaring that the future of the profession rests on their ability to uphold integrity, competence and service in their careers.
Speaking at the Pan-Atlantic University, in Ibeju-Lekki, during the joint induction and oath-taking ceremony organised by the institution and the NSE Ibeju-Lekki Branch, Oguntala described the event as “a significant milestone’’ for one of NSE’s youngest and fastest-growing branches.
She commended the organisers for what she called their “remarkable efforts in fast-tracking the growth and development of our membership,” noting that their dedication to strengthening the engineering community remains invaluable.
‘Engineering Is About Character and Contribution’
Addressing the ceremony’s theme, “Beyond Graduation: Cultivating Integrity, Competence and Service in Engineering Practice,” the NSE President stressed that engineering goes beyond classroom knowledge.
“Engineering is not only about knowledge; it is about character, contribution, and service,” she said. “Integrity, competence and a selfless commitment to society are the hallmarks of every great engineer.”
Fresh Engineers Urged to Think Boldly
Oguntala reminded the inductees that success in engineering demands more than technical mastery, urging them to embrace resilience and continuous learning in a rapidly evolving world.
“As you take your professional oath today, uphold the highest standards of ethics and integrity,” she charged. “Do not be content with merely earning a living. Strive to make a difference. Pursue breakthroughs that will benefit not only our communities but humanity at large.”
Senior Engineers Asked to Mentor Rising Talents
The NSE President appealed to Fellows and senior engineers present to invest time and guidance in grooming the new professionals.
“Your wealth of knowledge and experience is invaluable,” she said. “Mentor these young engineers and help them unlock their full potential. Together, we can raise the leaders and innovators our nation needs.”
Speakers and guests Appreciated.
Oguntala also extended appreciation to guest speakers for gracing the occasion despite tight schedules, expressing confidence that their insights would enrich the young inductees.
She concluded with a goodwill message, wishing every participant “success, growth and fulfilment” in their engineering journey.
The event marked another milestone in the NSE’s drive to strengthen professionalism and ethical standards among emerging engineers across the country.
Meanwhile, the President of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Engr. Prof. Sadiq Z. Abubakar, FNSE, FAEng, raised a sharp and urgent question about the quality of engineering graduates produced in Nigeria, warning that despite an annual output capacity of up to 10,000 graduates, competence cannot be assumed without strict adherence to global training and professional standards.
Speaking through a message delivered by Lagos State Technical Committee Chairman (COREN) Engr Aramide Adeyoye, the induction and oath-taking ceremony for engineering graduates of Pan-Atlantic University (PAU), Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos, on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025, Abubakar said Nigeria’s 114 universities offering over 500 engineering programmes can only produce world-class engineers if all training processes — from admission to licensing — are rigorously regulated.
He challenged universities and stakeholders to answer crucial questions: “How skilful and competent are our pupil engineers? Do they follow a global procedure from enrolment to graduation? Do they undergo proper mentoring and internship during NYSC?”
To close these gaps, COREN has established a comprehensive 12-point framework that aligns engineering education in Nigeria with Washington Accord standards. Key reforms include a mandatory 10-semester curriculum, compulsory indexing of every engineering student, improved funding and supervision of SIWES/IT placements, mandatory induction and oath-taking, and a one-year Engineering Internship Programme (EIP) scheduled before and during NYSC.
Abubakar also announced mandatory posting of engineering graduates to Engineering-Based Organisations (EBOs), annual licence renewal tied to Continuous Professional Development, and enhanced entry points in the public service for licensed practitioners — placing engineering on par with professions like Medicine and Law.
To sustain quality assurance, COREN has activated three national committees — CODET, COMPODET and COHTEC — covering universities, polytechnics and technical colleges. These bodies, alongside the Engineering Accreditation Committee, are tasked with driving Outcome-Based Education (OBE), peer review processes, and consistent engagement with industry partners such as ITF and NYSC.
The COREN President reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to protecting global accreditation status for Nigerian engineering, stating: “We will rise to maintain Washington Accord benchmarks in universities and Sydney Accord standards in polytechnics.” He urged PAU and other institutions to strengthen collaboration with industry through sabbaticals, adjunct appointments and technology-driven partnerships.
Commending PAU for what he described as “giant strides” in engineering education, he encouraged the newly inducted graduates: “As you take this oath and become pupil engineers, the sky is the limit.”
The ceremony marked another milestone in COREN’s ongoing push to elevate engineering education, practice, and professional integrity across Nigeria.
Additionally, renowned engineer Engr. Ibikunle Ogunbayo called Nigeria’s emerging engineers: uphold integrity, pursue relentless competence, and serve with purpose, or risk undermining the very foundations of the nation’s infrastructural and societal progress.
Delivering the keynote speech on December 3, 2025, Ogunbayo emphasized that graduation marks only the beginning of a lifelong journey of responsibility and moral duty. “Graduation gives you a degree, but the world beyond demands more — it demands integrity, competence, and service,” he declared. “You are entrusted with Nigeria’s safety, progress, and future.”
The engineer’s words come at a critical juncture for Nigeria, where infrastructural decay, safety concerns, and a need for sustainable development have become national crises. Ogunbayo’s warning was clear: the integrity of Nigeria’s built environment depends on engineers who adhere unwaveringly to moral standards.
Ogunbayo’s speech underscored that integrity is the backbone of engineering—without it, lives are at risk. “When faced with pressure—shrinking budgets, tight deadlines, or corrupt temptations—your integrity must remain unshaken,” he warned. “Cutting corners may seem expedient, but the consequences can be catastrophic. Lives are at stake when engineering shortcuts are taken.”
He reminded the audience that unlike other professions, engineers bear the ultimate responsibility for safety and reliability. “Our work is a moral obligation, not a professional luxury,” Ogunbayo declared.
Beyond integrity, Ogunbayo emphasized that competence is the engine of impactful engineering. “Technology evolves; standards change; challenges multiply. The learning never ends,” he urged. “An engineer must be curious, innovative, and committed to ongoing growth, especially as we face the age of artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and digital infrastructure.”
He warned that superficial knowledge without mastery could be dangerous and stressed that true competence involves designing and building safe, sustainable, and meaningful solutions.
The address also highlighted that engineering is fundamentally about serving humanity. From clean water systems to energy grids, every project must be viewed through the lens of societal benefit. Ogunbayo exhorted Nigeria’s engineers to prioritize purpose over profit: “Our profession exists to uplift communities and improve lives—not just to build for fame or fortune.”
He pointedly noted that the greatest legacy an engineer can leave is the positive impact on society, fostering trust and ensuring the safety of future generations.
As the new engineers prepare to sign their oath, Ogunbayo reminded them that their names and work carry a silent message: trust. “The trust you inspire through your work defines your legacy more than titles or salaries,” he said. “Build structures that withstand storms and reputations that stand the test of time.”
Ogunbayo called on Nigeria’s future engineers to embrace the tradition of excellence and moral uprightness that underpins the profession. “May integrity guide you, competence sharpen your skills, and service give your work true meaning,” he concluded. “Remember the words of St. Paul: ‘Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as to the Lord, and not to men.’”
As Nigeria faces pressing infrastructural challenges, Ogunbayo’s message is a clarion call for engineers to rise to the occasion—not just as builders of structures, but as architects of trust, safety, and societal progress.
The future of Nigeria’s development, Ogunbayo warns, depends on the integrity and dedication of its engineers.*
For a better society
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