WELCOME ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE NIGERIAN ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING, ENGR. PROF. RAHAMON ADISA BELLO, FAEng, AT THE 2026 ANNUAL LECTURE, INVESTITURE OF THE 14TH PRESIDENT, PRESENTATION OF LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS AND INDUCTION OF NEW FELLOWS ON THURSDAY, 25TH JUNE 2026 AT THE J. F. ADE AJAYI AUDITORIUM, UNIVERSITY OF LACOGS, AKOKA, LAGOS
PROTOCOLS
It is with profound honour and immense pleasure that I warmly welcome you to the 2026 Annual Lecture of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, and the investiture of the 14th President of the Academy. We thank God Almighty for this opportunity and I sincerely appreciate all of you who are here, at this momentous occasion.
Today, we gather to celebrate excellence, leadership, and the enduring contributions of engineering to national development. This ceremony is extra-special as it combines four significant events into one occasion, including an important milestone – a change of baton to a new President.
We will also celebrate, as we present ‘Life Achievement Awards’ to ten Distinguished Fellows who have attained the age of seventy-five years. This is a well-deserved recognition of their enduring and exemplary contributions to professional engineering practice in Nigeria over the course of their careers. In addition, we will formally welcome twelve accomplished professionals who will be inducted into the Fellowship of the Academy. The fourth event is the Annual Lecture of the Academy, titled: “Impactful Engineering through Innovation and Mentorship” which will be delivered by our 10th President, Engr. Emeritus Professor Fola Lasisi, FAEng.
The Nigerian Academy of Engineering is the apex and elite corps of the engineering profession in Nigeria, with the foremost objective of advancing and pursuing excellence in Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation, in order to drive national development and international competitiveness. It is a “Think-tank” founded in 1997, comprising eminent Nigerian engineering professionals, at home and in diaspora, who provide leadership on national engineering and technological matters. The Academy also offers a national platform for experts to pool their experience and insights, to proffer advice to the Federal Government of Nigeria, as well as State Governments and private organisations, on policy-making, particularly on technology matters.
The Academy, as a Think-tank, operates through Committees on diverse engineering challenges nationally and internationally. The output of its Committees are disseminated internally through Fellows’ Forums and publicly through Public Forums. In addition, the Academy publishes a peer-reviewed journal, “Innovative Solutions in Engineering” with its Volume 6 soon to be published. There are also Proceedings of the presentations at the Fellows’ Forums.
The Academy is a member of the Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences (CAETS), comprising all the Academies of Engineering worldwide, and has been playing major roles in there lately. The outgoing President served as a member of the Board of CAETS for two years and the CAETS has recently asked the Nigerian Academy of Engineering to coordinate the African angle of its oncoming project on CAETS Energy Sequel Project.
Over the past year, the Academy has been active in fulfilling its mandate as a think-tank for the engineering sector by organising strategic policy dialogues on engineering solutions for energy, efficient and profitable operation of our refineries, transportation, waste water management, environmental stability and climate change. Furthermore, the Academy enhanced international engagements, partnering with other international engineering academies, through CAETS, to exchange knowledge and best practices. These partnerships have positioned NAEng more prominently within the global engineering community. Through these engagements, we continue to provide evidence-based recommendations to government and key stakeholders.
Specifically, the Academy carried out a study of the Alau Dam flooding disaster in Borno state and forwarded its findings and recommendations to both the Borno State Government and relevant Federal Government agencies. In addition, a Special Forum on Electricity Supply in Nigeria was held where the huge supply/demand imbalance in Nigeria’s electricity sector was reviewed and a policy paper on recommendations forwarded to the Federal Government.
The Academy also hosted a lecture titled, “Wastewater Management: Impact on Health and Environment” which highlighted the poor state of urban wastewater treatment in Nigeria, where less than 20% is properly managed. The discussions examined sustainable wastewater collection, treatment, reuse, and the governance structure necessary to improve sewage management nationwide. Recently, a webinar on how Nigeria can achieve Sustainable Climate Change Goals held, with Her Excellency, Amina Mohammed, the UN Deputy Secretary-General, giving the keynote address.
The Academy commends the Federal Government’s bold initiative under the Presidential Power Sector Financial Reforms Programme, to issue bonds to fund gas supply debts. We also urge the implementation of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) without delay, to upgrade the supply capacity of the national grid to 25,000 MW. The bold initiatives on road infrastructure and similar interventions in the Education Sector are similarly acknowledged and commended.
The Academy achieved another milestone with the induction of the 6th Honorary Fellow in the 29-year history of the Academy, on 24th April 2026, in the person of Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON. It is a well-deserved recognition of someone who has used engineering as the backbone of Africa’s largest industrial conglomerate.
The Academy has continued to drive innovation and national development through key initiatives in engineering and technology. One of the major programmes of the Academy is its National Innovation Competition, an annual technology competition now in its third year. It identifies and rewards creative and innovative works in science, engineering and technology, that address societal challenges in Nigeria. Winning innovators exhibit their inventions and they are supported in scaling up their projects by connecting them with potential investors. The Academy also promotes global exposure through its Travel Fellowship Grant, which annually supports young academics to acquire needed exposure in foreign institutions.
Our sincere gratitude goes to our partners and sponsor whose generous contributions have brought our initiatives to life. Your unwavering support for these and other programmes remains indispensable to the realisation of our mission.
Today, we transition to a new leadership. The investiture of the 14th President represents a renewal of our vision and we are assured that the incoming President will build on the strong foundation laid by predecessors, guiding the Academy to even greater heights.
To the recipients of the Life Achievement Awards: These awards recognise decades of unwavering dedication, integrity, and brilliance. You are role models whose legacies will continue to inspire generations. You have not only built structures and systems but have built the very reputation of Nigerian engineers.
The Nigerian Academy of Engineering has limited membership. Fellows are peer-elected based on their outstanding contributions to research, and the practice of engineering in academia and in the public and private sectors. To our twelve new Fellows: You are joining a community of thought leaders and nation-builders; your induction is a recognition of your outstanding achievements and contributions to engineering practice. Membership of this Academy is not just an honour; it is a call to service and your expertise is needed now, more than ever. We look forward to your energy and expertise in driving our technical committees.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, Nigeria stands at a critical juncture in its development journey. The role of engineering in addressing our national challenges cannot be overstated – from infrastructure deficits to energy access, from industrialisation to environmental sustainability. The Nigerian Academy of Engineering remains committed to supporting the nation with independent, objective, and forward-looking technological advice. As we celebrate today’s achievements, let us also renew our collective resolve to harness engineering for the prosperity of our nation and the well-being of our people.
Thank you for your presence, your support, and your continued commitment to excellence. I wish you all, a memorable and inspiring ceremony.
God bless the Nigerian Academy of Engineering. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Engr. Prof. Rahamon A. Bello, FAEng
President, Nigerian Academy of Engineering