By Idris Khalid.
The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has inducted 800 graduating students of the Faculty of Engineering and Engineering Technology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, into the engineering profession.
The inductees, who graduated in 2026, were urged to uphold professional integrity, embrace innovation, develop entrepreneurial skills and prioritise public safety in the discharge of their duties.
Speaking at the induction ceremony held at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Bauchi, on Saturday, the chairman of the NSE, Bauchi State Branch, Engr. Shehu Wakili, pledged the society’s commitment to promoting professionalism, engineering excellence and mentorship for newly inducted engineers.
He said the NSE would continue to support young engineers in developing their professional competencies and contributing meaningfully to the advancement of engineering practice in the state.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of ATBU, Prof. Ibrahim Hassan Garba, urged the newly inducted engineers to uphold good character, respect other professionals and embrace entrepreneurship as they begin their careers.
Garba, who was represented by the Dean of Student Affairs, Engr. Sa’id Yusuf Umar, advised the inductees to respect every member of the engineering profession, irrespective of rank, position or level of responsibility.
He noted that the engineering industry depended on the collective contributions of engineers, technologists, craftsmen and other technical personnel, stressing that no professional should look down on colleagues in lower cadres.
The vice-chancellor also challenged the graduates to see themselves as potential employers of labour by identifying practical problems in society and developing innovative solutions to address them.
He urged them to apply the knowledge acquired during their training, explore opportunities in their respective fields and contribute to economic development through innovation and enterprise.
In his remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Prof. Sulaiman Ibrahim Dodo, urged the newly inducted engineers to develop the skills, competence and confidence required to compete in an increasingly globalised economy.
He observed that Nigeria’s economy was becoming more open to international participation, with investors and professionals from countries such as China entering different sectors.
He, therefore, urged the graduates to prepare themselves for the growing competition by maintaining high professional standards and demonstrating their capacity to meet international expectations.
According to him, Nigerian engineers must not compromise standards but should strive to demonstrate that their training and professional abilities can compete favourably with global best practices.
Similarly, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Engineering Technology, Prof. Yau Shuaibu Haruna, charged the inductees to uphold professional integrity, shun corruption, embrace innovation and prioritise public safety and sustainability.
He emphasised that engineering was not merely about acquiring technical knowledge but also about demonstrating honesty, accountability and a commitment to improving human lives.
Haruna challenged the graduates to reflect on their professional values and the responsibilities associated with their signatures, warning them against approving questionable documents or allowing financial inducements to influence their professional judgment.
He stressed that engineers must maintain high ethical standards in their dealings with contractors, clients and other stakeholders, particularly where personal or financial interests could compromise professional decisions.
The dean also urged the new engineers to respect other professionals and stakeholders whose contributions were essential to the successful execution of engineering projects.
He encouraged them to develop their digital skills and remain committed to continuous learning and professional development to keep pace with emerging technologies and changes in the industry.
On entrepreneurship, Haruna urged the inductees to identify challenges confronting society and develop practical solutions that could be transformed into viable businesses.
He said engineering graduates could contribute to job creation and economic growth by applying their technical knowledge to address societal needs.
The dean further described sustainability as a critical responsibility for engineers, urging them to consider the long-term implications of their designs and projects.
He said engineers must ensure that the structures and systems they develop could be built safely, maintained effectively, operated affordably and sustained without causing unnecessary environmental damage.
Haruna also acknowledged the challenges confronting young graduates, including unemployment, professional examination requirements, career setbacks and the need for additional training before establishing themselves in their chosen fields.
He, therefore, called on parents to continue supporting their children as they navigate the demands of professional development, noting that advancing in the engineering profession often requires additional financial and moral support.
