By Isqil Najim
The newly inaugurated Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Katsina Branch, Engr. Shamsudden Bashir IronBaba has appealed to the Katsina State Government to implement the National Council on Establishments (NCE) Circular, which sets the entry point for Engineers in the Civil Service at Grade Level 09.
He said this duirng his inauguration speech at his swearing-in ceremony held on November 13, 2025, at the Gwagware Foundation Event Centre, Katsina. The event also featured a presentation that exposed the systemic challenges crippling engineering practice in the state and the nation. Engr. Shamsudden Bashir IronBaba, took over from the outgoing Chairman, Engr. Almustapha Sada Abdullahi.
Chairman Commends Radda’s Vision, Pushes for Enhanced Welfare
The new Chairman, while congratulating his new Executive Committee members, noted that, “The task ahead of us is enormous, but together, with commitment, vision, and teamwork, we shall move the NSE Katsina Branch to greater heights.”
He lauded the Executive Governor of Katsina State, His Excellency Malam Dikko Umar Radda, for his efforts in infrastructure, acknowledging the “remarkable strides in infrastructural development and urban renewal across the state.”
According to him, the NSE affirmed its support, stating, “We, as Engineers, stand ready to continue supporting the State Government’s development agenda with our technical expertise, professional integrity, and patriotic commitment.”
The Grade Level 09 Appeal
However, the appeal for the implementation of the NCE Circular on the GL 09 entry point for engineers in the Civil Service remained a priority. The Chairman pointed out that the circular has been adopted at the federal level and by many other states, emphasizing that its implementation in Katsina State would “not only boost morale but also align with the principle of fairness and recognition of the rigorous academic and professional training engineers undergo.”
War on Quackery and Unethical practices
IronBaba also issued a strong rally against unethical practices, stressing the nobility of the engineering profession, which is “guided by ethics, discipline, and service to humanity.”
He sounded the alarm on unprofessional conduct. According to him, “The rise of quackery in engineering practice poses a grave danger to lives, property, and public confidence in our profession.”
He urged all members to actively resist this threat: “I therefore call on all members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers in Katsina to join hands in fighting quackery in all its forms. Let us report and resist any attempt to sideline professionals or compromise standards. The integrity of our profession is not negotiable.”
Prioritizing Young Engineers and Partnership
IronBaba also pledged to focus on the next generation of builders. “Our future lies in our youth… We must therefore carry them along—mentor them, guide them, and open doors of opportunity for them to thrive,” the Chairman stated, assuring young engineers that the administration will prioritize “capacity building, mentorship programs, and professional exposure.”
He thanked Governor Radda for the appointment of esteemed engineers to strategic positions within the administration, describing the gesture as a clear demonstration of the Governor’s “strong commitment to professionalism, competence, and the critical role of engineering expertise in driving sustainable development.”
Systemic Challenges Hinder Progress, Says Expert
In a keynote address, Engr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma, , delivered a paper titled “Contemporary Challenges to Engineering Practice in Nigeria: Implications for Katsina State and the Role of the Engineer in Development.”
Engr. Darma, drawing on available data, asserted that engineering in Nigeria “continues to struggle under the weight of systemic inefficiencies, weak regulation, underfunding, and a lack of practical skills among graduates.” He estimated Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit at over $300 billion and claimed that “70% of engineering graduates lack industry-relevant practical skills.”
Engr Darma highlighted several critical issues plaguing the profession. Among which are the Infrastructure Deficit and Quality of Built Works. He noted projects suffer from cost overruns and premature failure, giving an example: “a road designed for a 20-year lifespan will deteriorate within eight years or as soon as it is put to use…”
Engr Darma also stressed that in Katsina, the challenge is magnified, with only an estimated 300 out of 1,000 registered engineers are receiving Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in the last three years. He criticized the weak maintenance culture, noting that if Katsina constructs 100 km of rural roads annually but only allocates maintenance budgets for 25 km, the remaining 75 km may deteriorate within five years, negating economic benefits.
He also pointed out the slow embrace of digitalization, with many engineers still relying on manual processes instead of modern tools like Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Way Forward
Engr. Darma proposed that the NSE Katsina Branch repositions itself as a “catalyst for technological progress,” by focusing on: Strengthening Human Capital and Ethics through structured CPD and mentorship; Institutional Collaboration with state ministries and academia; Promoting Local Innovation such as “Stabilized lateritic soil roads” and “Modular solar-powered water systems.” and advocating for mandatory maintenance budgeting in all state projects, ideally 10% of total capital allocation.
He concluded that the ultimate measure of the profession’s success is when, “the roads become durable, water flows reliably, lights stay on, and the people of Katsina live with dignity and opportunity.”
