Is engineering in Nigeria a “mixed bag”? Read highlights from ACEN President, Engr. Kunle Adebajo’s striking discussion on infrastructure, mentorship, and the young engineer experience.
By Isqil Najim
Practicing Engineering in Nigeria was the spotlight at a recent radio program hosted by Jordan 105.5 FM Lagos, in collaboration with the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) Ikeja Branch—under the leadership of its Chairman, Engr. Nimot Muili.
The guest on the show was Engr. Kunle Adebajo, the President of the Association for Consulting Engineers in Nigeria (ACEN) and CEO of Arup and Partners Nigeria Limited.
Speaking on the theme of “Ease of Doing Business,” Engr. Adebajo, a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, described Nigerian engineering practices as a “mixed bag.”
“With all that we have, huge human resources, natural minerals, and oil, we should be leading, but interestingly enough, we have barely got our two legs together.”
Adebajo acknowledged the global strides made by Nigerian engineers but stressed that structural gaps remain a hurdle. “There is no development without engineering. The world’s leading economies—the US, China, and others built their success on a very strong engineering base, and they put that base front and center.”
The Experience Deficit among Young Engineers
A central theme of the conversation was whether Nigeria currently offers a fertile environment for young engineers to thrive. Adebajo offered an honest, striking analogy: a chef who has read every cookbook but has never stepped into a kitchen. “You need things to cook and requirements to serve—that is how you get experience. You don’t just sit in a room reading cookery books and think you are a good cook.” He said.
He pointed out that the country’s infrastructure deficit is the root of the problem. Without a steady pace of large-scale projects, young graduates lack the “kitchen” needed for hands-on training. He praised the NSE Ikeja Branch’s inclusive approach, which focuses on creating mentorship opportunities to bridge this professional gap.
Institutionalizing Excellence
Reflecting on his own legacy with the NSE Ikeja branch, having served as the sixth chairman, Adebajo recalled his mission to shift the organizational culture. He observed that professional gatherings often gravitate toward social networking, he therefore, moved to institutionalize technical sessions.
“I introduced 30-minute engagements per meeting where relevant technical topics were presented and discussed,” he recalled. Under his watch, the branch also launched career fairs, providing essential guidance to engineers who entered the field without a clear roadmap for their professional trajectory.
“With all that we have, huge human resources, natural minerals, and oil, we should be leading, but interestingly enough, we have barely got our two legs together.”- Kunle Adebajo
A Legacy of 70 Years: Arup Nigeria
Adebajo’s leadership at Arup and Partners Nigeria Limited carries the weight of over seven decades of history. The firm has been a cornerstone of Nigerian development, engineering iconic structures such as the Civic Centre, Civic Towers, and the National Stadium, as well as various roadworks and major breweries. It has also engaged in internationa project outside Nigeria.
Beyond consultancy, Adebajo views Arup as a finishing school for talent. “An engineer who spends just a year with us leaves with a full toolkit—not just technical skills, but presentation and soft skills as well.”
The Maintenance Crisis
On Nigeria’s “build and neglect” culture. Adebajo attributed the decay of public infrastructure to a systemic lack of planning.
“Maintenance or the absence of it is a major problem because budgets are rarely allocated for upkeep,” he explained. “Everyone is excited to announce a new structure for billions of Naira, but the maintenance budget is factored in as an afterthought, if at all.”
He also identified the frequent exclusion of competent engineering consultants from project planning, noting that relying solely on ministries or contractors without independent consultancy often leads to shortcomings. “What would have cost a small amount to maintain eventually costs a fortune to fix,”
Looking Through 2026
As we move through 2026, Arup is doubling down on sustainability and innovation. Adebajo emphasized that modern engineering must consider the entire life cycle of a project—including how a building is dismantled once it serves its purpose. He announced that Arup is also integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive efficiency.
To the younger generation contemplating the “Japa” syndrome, Adebajo offered a message of resilience. While acknowledging that many talented engineers seek greener pastures abroad—often in roles outside their training—he remains a firm advocate for the profession at home.
“Once you’ve been resilient and gained the right training, there is nothing more fulfilling than engineering.” He said.
Isqil Najim can be reached on Linkedin HERE