By Isqil Najim
The Nigerian Institution of Facilities Engineering and Management (NIFEngM) has hailed the appointment of Engr. Dr. Abdulrasheed Babalola, FNSE, FNIFEngM, a past Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Kaduna Branch, as the Director of the Center for Facility Engineering and Management at Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU).
The appointment, approved by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Otoabasi E. Akpan takes effect on October 1st, 2025.
In a statement issued on behalf of the Executive Committee and members of the institution, the National Chairman of NIFEngM, Engr. Christopher A. Egwuatu, described the appointment as a testament to Dr. Babalola’s dedication to the profession. Engr. Egwuatu added that this recognition reflects Dr. Babalola’s unwavering commitment to excellence, his deep-rooted professionalism, and the steady leadership he continues to bring to the industry.
Hailing the move as a demonstration of AKSU’s deepening commitment to professionalizing the sector, Engr. Egwuatu noted that the new role stands as a beacon of progress and a reminder that disciplined service and consistent impact never go unnoticed.
He expressed strong confidence that Dr. Babalola’s stewardship will strengthen the capacity of the Centre and elevate the standards of Facilities Engineering practice across the nation.
Dr. Babalola’s appointment comes with mandate designed to establish the Centre as a national leader. His academic and developmental focus involves delivering robust educational programs across undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional development levels.
A core element of the Centre’s work under his leadership will be to conduct cutting-edge research across critical areas such as sustainable facility design, smart infrastructure, energy management, and digital transformation, leveraging tools like Building Information Modeling (BIM), the Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Furthermore, the Centre is tasked with partnering with industry stakeholders to address real-world challenges, providing essential consultancy services, facilitating knowledge transfer, and actively contributing to the development of national standards and policies for sustainable facility management.
The University specifically charged Dr. Babalola with establishing a robust management framework for all equipment and facilities domiciled within the University’s Engineering Workshops and Laboratories. This role goes beyond routine maintenance; he is explicitly required to structure practical means by which these facilities are optimally utilized for revenue generation. This unique responsibility aims to position the Centre as a strategic asset, turning technical infrastructure into an income-generating resource while supporting the institution’s overall academic mission.
Dr. Babalola brings a wealth of diverse experience to this strategic role. A former Head of the Department of Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering at AKSU, his academic work is widely recognized for its focus on Reaction Engineering Kinetics, Nanotechnology, Catalysis, and Petroleum.
Beyond academia, he has built an extensive career across the upstream and downstream oil and gas industry, equipment fabrication, and process analysis, and currently leading both a successful consulting firm and a paint production company.
He has served the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in various capacities, ranging from Assistant Technical Secretary and Technical Secretary to holding multiple executive roles within the NSE Kaduna Branch, culminating in his tenure as Chairman of the Branch. This dedication to service extended to the national stage where he had served as National Exco member at the Nigerian Society of Engineers as well as many national committees.
During the presidency of Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntala, who assumed office in January 2024, Dr. Babalola served as the Chairman of the Engineering Manpower and Occupational Development Committee in 2024. His contributions have extended into 2025, where he actively serves as a member of two critical national positions: the Collation of Council Resolution Committee and the NSE Environment, Climate and Green Transformation Committee.
He is a registered Engineer with COREN and holds membership in several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers (NSChE), the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM Chartered) and Nigerian Institution of Facilities Engineering and Management.
Engr Abdulrasheed Babalola gives stewardship as he rounds off tenure as Kaduna NSE Chairman