Unite and Reclaim: Prof Oke Calls on Engineers to Shape Nigeria's Energy Future

The Call for Unity and Strategic Leadership in Nigeria’s Engineering Profession

Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Professor of Law at the University of Lagos, Prof. Yemi Oke, has called on engineers across the country to unite and assert their strategic relevance in Nigeria’s energy and electricity governance. He warned that internal fragmentation could weaken the profession’s statutory authority and influence.

Prof. Oke made these remarks during a memorial lecture in honor of the late Engr. Venerable Michael Bamigboye Joda, organized by the Abeokuta Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) as part of its 2026 Engineering Week. His address focused on the theme, “Engineering Standards under the Nigerian Energy and Electricity Laws: Imperatives for Engineering Professionals.”

He emphasized the importance of maintaining the unity of the engineering profession, cautioning against attempts by specialized engineering groups to seek separate statutory recognition outside the umbrella of the NSE.

“The engineering profession is one, just like the legal profession,” Oke declared. “In law, we have constitutional lawyers, energy lawyers, and administrative lawyers, but they do not break away from the Nigerian Bar Association. The NBA remains one body. The same must apply to the Nigerian Society of Engineers.”

Oke described the growing agitation for distinct legislative recognition by some engineering specializations as a “red flag.” He stressed that the law recognizes the NSE as the professional authority, not its sub-groups. Referring to deliberations at the National Council on Power, he disclosed that certain groups had advocated for specific mention in legislation independent of the NSE, a move he said could erode the profession’s collective bargaining power.

“The law will only recognize the NSE, not specializations. Engineers must avoid actions that divide their ranks,” he warned.

Engineering as the Foundation of Energy and Electricity Governance

Prof. Oke emphasized that the energy and electricity sector is fundamentally engineering-driven and must be anchored on enforceable technical standards developed and safeguarded by professionals. He urged the Nigerian Society of Engineers and related bodies to rise to the occasion in sustaining and enforcing engineering and technical standards in the Nigerian energy and electricity law, in the overall interest of Nigerians.

Drawing comparisons with the legal and medical professions, Oke challenged engineers to adopt a more strategic posture in governance and public policy. “In the executive, legislature, and judiciary, lawyers are strategically positioned. The Ministry of Justice is populated by lawyers; the judiciary is 100 per cent lawyers. That is strategic positioning,” he noted, questioning why engineers have not asserted similar influence in policy circles, particularly in technically driven sectors such as oil, gas, and power.

He lamented what he described as professional marginalization and a tendency for engineers to allow other professionals to dominate major projects and regulatory frameworks, even in sectors where technical expertise is paramount.

Legal Protections and Professional Responsibility

Prof. Oke also referenced provisions in electricity regulatory laws that mandate projects to be handled by qualified and competent engineers, noting that certification does not absolve practitioners of liability for negligence.

“Even if you are certified, the job must be done by a qualified engineer. The law recognizes the role of a ‘competent engineer.’ Engineers must ensure that such statutory protections are not diluted,” he added.

Linking Nigeria’s protracted energy crisis to weak enforcement of technical standards and governance challenges, Oke maintained that stronger engineering input in regulatory and policy processes is critical to resolving the nation’s electricity woes.

“It is no coincidence that Nigeria’s energy and electricity challenges are tied to inadequate engineering provisions and governance gaps that have persisted for decades,” he said.

Leadership Beyond Technical Practice

National President of the NSE, Engr. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, FNSE, in his remarks, urged engineers to extend their relevance beyond technical practice into leadership and governance. “We must advocate for the Nigerian engineer not only in building infrastructure but also in shaping the policies that drive economic development,” he said, adding that capacity-building for young engineers remains central to the society’s vision.

Earlier, Chairman of the NSE Abeokuta Branch, Engr. Olumayowa Ayodeji Idowu, FNSE, described the memorial lecture as both solemn and strategic, noting that the late Engr. Joda embodied professionalism and public service.

“Engineering is not only about structures and systems; it is about shaping society and improving lives,” Idowu said. He disclosed that the branch contributed professional input to the development of Ogun State’s electricity framework, culminating in the passage of the Energy Law, Bill No. 017/OG/2024, signed by Governor Dapo Abiodun to strengthen electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and consumer protection within the state.

Idowu called for sustained collaboration between the NSE and the Ogun State Government to ensure effective implementation of the law, stressing strict adherence to engineering standards and ethics.

Honoring a Legacy of Excellence

Dignitaries at the event, including former Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Tunji Egbetokun, Commissioner for Forestry, Hon. Taiwo Oludotun; Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Works, Engr. Ade Adesina; and the Special Adviser on Energy, commended the NSE for sustaining the legacy of the late Engr. Joda. They described the former Ogun State Commissioner for Education as a disciplined and principled professional whose contributions to engineering and public service earned him enduring respect.

In an emotional tribute, Dr. Morayo Jimoh, daughter of the late Engr. Joda, thanked the NSE for honoring her father’s memory. She said, “My father believed in excellence, diligence, and leaving a positive mark on society. On behalf of my family, we are deeply grateful.”

The event drew engineers, policymakers, academics, and other stakeholders, with a renewed call for professionals to uphold unity, strengthen regulatory standards, and take the lead in shaping Nigeria’s evolving energy and electricity landscape.