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ViewPoint: A landmark welfare reform for paramilitary services leadership in Nigeria

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ViewPoint: A landmark welfare reform for paramilitary services leadership in Nigeria

By Adebayo Adeoye
The recent approval by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), granting consolidated salaries for life to serving and retired officers on the ranks of Deputy Controller/Comptroller/Commandant-General in the paramilitary services under the Ministry of Interior, represents a watershed moment in the history of public service administration in Nigeria. It is a bold, far-sighted and transformative policy that has already generated widespread excitement and commendation across the security architecture in Nigeria.

This remarkable welfare package is more than a financial incentive; it is a profound statement of appreciation for the years of sacrifice, dedication and patriotic service rendered by the senior security administrators of our beloved nation. These officers spend decades safeguarding the internal security of our nation, often working under difficult and demanding circumstances. It is therefore fitting that the nation recognises their invaluable contributions through a dignified and sustainable retirement package.

The implementation of the policy and the payment of arrears have further demonstrated the seriousness and sincerity of the Federal Government. Unlike many well-intentioned policies that remain on paper, this initiative has moved beyond approval to practical execution. The prompt implementation has reassured serving officers that the government is genuinely committed to improving their welfare and rewarding excellence in service.

One of the most significant benefits of this policy is the boost it will provide to officers’ morale across the various paramilitary services under the Ministry of Interior. Personnel are often motivated not only by their current conditions of service but also by the prospects that await them after retirement. Knowing that years of dedicated service could culminate in a secure and respectable post-retirement life will undoubtedly inspire officers to discharge their duties with renewed vigour, commitment and professionalism.

The policy also addresses a longstanding concern within the services regarding career progression and leadership succession. Historically, intense competition and lobbying for the position of Controller/Comptroller/Commandant-General have sometimes generated tension and anxiety among senior officers approaching retirement. By extending the benefit to the benefiting senior officers, the government has effectively reduced the perception that only one position at the apex of the service guarantees financial security after retirement.

This development is expected to encourage a healthier and more professional organisational culture. Officers will be more inclined to focus on competence, integrity and service delivery rather than engaging in unhealthy rivalries associated with leadership appointments. The resulting atmosphere of professionalism will strengthen institutional stability and improve operational effectiveness across the services, culminating into strengthen internal security.

Equally important is the potential impact of this policy on integrity and accountability. Financial insecurity after retirement has often been cited as one of the factors that may expose public officials to unethical conduct. By providing a robust welfare package for senior officers, the government has removed a significant source of uncertainty and anxiety. This, in turn, can contribute to reducing corrupt tendencies and promoting ethical behaviour among officers who now have greater assurance of their future well-being.

The younger generation of officers also stands to benefit immensely from this initiative. Every institution thrives when its members can clearly see that diligence, loyalty and professionalism are rewarded. The knowledge that the highest levels of service come with meaningful recognition will motivate younger officers to embrace excellence, discipline, and dedication throughout their careers.

Furthermore, the policy acknowledges the strategic importance of the Ministry of Interior in maintaining national security. Agencies such as the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Federal Fire Service (FFS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other sister security agencies constitute a critical component of Nigeria’s internal security framework. Their leaders shoulder enormous responsibilities that directly impact national stability and public safety.

In many advanced democracies, special retirement packages are provided for senior security personnel due to the unique nature of their responsibilities and the sacrifices demanded by their offices. The President’s approval therefore aligns Nigeria with global best practices that recognise and reward distinguished service in the security sector. It is a progressive reform that deserves widespread commendation.

This landmark achievement also sends a powerful message about the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s commitment to public sector reform and personnel welfare. It demonstrates a leadership style that values human capital and understands that motivated personnel are indispensable to effective governance and national development. Policies that enhance welfare invariably translate into improved productivity and stronger institutions.

Another commendable welfare initiative of the present administration is the recent promotion of eligible officers across cadres and services, accompanied by the immediate payment of their promotion arrears. This development has brought immense relief and motivation to thousands of personnel who had patiently awaited both career advancement and the financial benefits associated with their new ranks.

Timely promotion remains one of the most important components of staff welfare, as it recognises merit, rewards hard work and strengthens confidence in the system. The prompt settlement of promotion arrears further demonstrates the government’s commitment to fairness and the wellbeing of its workforce, ensuring that officers receive the full benefits of their advancement without unnecessary delays. This gesture has significantly boosted morale among paramilitary personnel generally, reinforced confidence in the leadership of the Ministry, and provided additional encouragement for personnel to remain dedicated, disciplined and committed to the discharge of their responsibilities in service to the nation.

The President deserves special recognition for his statesmanship, foresight and compassionate leadership in approving this historic package. At a time when governments around the world face competing demands on public resources, this decision reflects a deep appreciation for those who have devoted their lives to protecting the nation and serving its citizens. It is an enduring legacy that will be remembered for generations.

Given the far-reaching impact of this unprecedented welfare initiative, many stakeholders within the paramilitary services and the wider public service community may view it as a compelling demonstration of the President’s commitment to the welfare of public servants. Such visionary leadership and responsiveness to the needs of those who have dedicated their lives to national service provide strong reasons why many Nigerians may consider supporting his re-election, to sustain and deepen reforms aimed at improving the welfare, efficiency and effectiveness of public institutions across the country.

Similarly, immense credit must go to the Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, whose relentless commitment and strategic engagement helped bring this vision to fruition. His leadership has been characterised by a determination to improve the welfare of personnel under the Ministry and to reposition the services for greater effectiveness. His successful pursuit of this initiative reflects both dedication and a firm belief in the value of those who serve.

The Minister’s role in championing this cause underscores the importance of responsive and result-oriented leadership in government. By persistently advocating for the welfare of personnel and engaging relevant stakeholders, he has demonstrated that meaningful reforms are achievable when leaders are driven by purpose and commitment. The successful implementation of this policy is a testament to his administrative acumen and passion for institutional development. As the beneficiaries celebrate this unprecedented gesture, the broader lesson remains clear: that a nation that values and rewards service inspires loyalty, professionalism and excellence among its workforce.

The approval of life consolidated salaries for Deputy Controllers/Comptrollers/Commandants-General as well as for Controllers/Comptrollers/Commandants-General is not merely a welfare package; it is a strategic investment in the morale, integrity and future of internal security services in Nigeria. For this historic intervention, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Honourable Minister of Interior deserve the gratitude and commendation of all stakeholders who believe in a stronger, more professional and more motivated security sector.

This landmark welfare reform will undoubtedly stand as one of the most impactful interventions in the history of paramilitary services in Nigeria, reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to those who dedicate their lives to safeguarding the nation. As the beneficiaries celebrate this well-deserved recognition, history will remember President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, as leaders who translated appreciation for service into tangible and enduring rewards.

Ogundare, Esq., is the Special Adviser on Correctional Reforms to the Honourable Minister of Interior.

Isqil Najim: 10 Reasons You Should Not Pursue an Engineering Career

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Isqil Najim: 10 Reasons You Should Not Pursue an Engineering Career

Engineering career is said to be for the best and brightest and rightly so. But for every article celebrating the profession, there is a missing conversation: the honest one about its challenges.

By Isqil Najim

This piece is not meant to discourage you. It is meant to prepare you. Too often, young people spend five years in school expecting instant results, only to be blindsided by the realities of the field. All careers have their difficulties, but engineering’s specific demands are rarely discussed early enough with those entering the profession. Here are ten reasons to pause and reflect before you commit.

The HND/BSc Dichotomy is Real

If your goal is to become a fully recognised engineer in Nigeria, think carefully before enrolling in a polytechnic. Polytechnics are excellent for building hands-on skills and that is not in dispute. But if you intend to practice as an Engineer in Nigeria, an HND alone will limit you. You may need to pursue a Master’s degree to achieve parity with BSc holders in many organisations. Beyond that, most Nigerian universities will not place an HND holder on the same career ladder as a BSc graduate, especially within the academic system. Despite government policy efforts, the HND/BSc gap remains a stubborn obstacle in both the public and private sectors. Plan around it, or head straight to university.

It Takes More Than Five Years

A degree is just the entry ticket. To obtain full engineering registration through COREN, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, you must accumulate a minimum of four years of post-graduation work experience under a licensed engineer. Add that to a five-year degree programme and mandatory NYSC service, and you are looking at well about ten years before you are formally licensed. If you need professional certification quickly, consider technology, marketing, or a skill-based trade where you can establish yourself far sooner. Working outside formal engineering after graduation is also a valid and respectable route, but you won’t be called licenced Engineer.

You Must Start at the Bottom

Engineering is a practical profession. Whether mechanical, electrical, or chemical, your competence is built on exposure and experience, not certificates alone. You need to be able to handle fundamental tasks before you can manage complex ones. Even engineers who aspire to management roles need genuine hands-on experience. Without it, you will always depend on others for critical decisions and in engineering, that is a dangerous position to be in. There are no shortcuts that do not eventually catch up with you.

Expect Stress, Dirt, and Long Days

This is not a career for those who guard their comfort. Engineering demands both mental and physical energy. There will be stressful periods, dirty sites, and exhausting nights. Some engineers find ways around this through connections, family businesses, or seniority but those who bypass the tough early years sometimes pay for it later through poor-quality work and damaged reputations. The stress is not incidental to the job. In many ways, it is how solid engineers are made.

Your Classroom May Not Prepare You

The calculus and theory you studied will feel distant once you enter the field. But they are not useless. Engineering evolves constantly. Engineers trained, many years ago, on steam engines worked on internal combustion engines. Those trained on internal combustion engines now work on electric vehicles. Today, drones, autonomous vehicles, and artificial intelligence are reshaping every discipline. If you expect the real world to mirror your textbooks, you will be caught off guard. The ability to adapt, unlearn, and relearn is not a bonus skill, it is the job itself.

Teamwork is Non-Negotiable

Engineering is collaborative by nature. You will work with people you did not choose, across disciplines, religions, ethnicities, and genders. A mechanical engineer on a construction site will deal with civil engineers, architects, and estate surveyors. Personal preferences about who you work with become irrelevant; what matters is whether the work gets done and done well. If you genuinely prefer working alone, engineering will frustrate you at every level. Writing, research, or solo entrepreneurship might suit your temperament better.

The Hours Are Rarely Regular

Deadlines and complex projects push engineers well past the standard working day. Late nights and weekend work are common, especially when a project hits unexpected snags or demands team coordination. Beyond formal tasks, many engineers spend additional hours outside the office — studying new technologies, brainstorming solutions, and learning on their own time. The line between work and personal life blurs frequently. If a fixed nine-to-five is important to you, be honest with yourself before choosing this path.

The Education is Expensive and Does Not End

A bachelor’s degree is the minimum entry point, but many engineers pursue postgraduate degrees before entering the job market. That investment in time and money is already significant. And it does not stop at graduation. Certifications, professional training, industry workshops, and conferences are all part of staying relevant. You will spend money on your career long after your university fees are paid. If you are unwilling to keep investing financially and personally, the gap between you and your peers will quietly widen. Engineers spend a lot in attending conferences, workshop etc. some belong to more than one Division of Engineering to expand their knowledge and not for fun. Each person had his own plan to keep learning. If that is hard for you, consider choosing another career.

The Field is Fiercely Competitive

Despite the popular belief that engineers are always in demand, the reality is more nuanced. Recruiters frequently struggle to find candidates who combine technical competence with communication skills, practical experience, and current knowledge. A degree alone will not make you stand out. You need certifications, a credible track record, and the ability to articulate your value clearly. Engineering is competitive not just for jobs, but within organisations for promotions, projects, and recognition. Talent without visibility rarely rises.

Learning Never Stops

If you believe graduating ends your obligation to study, do not choose engineering. The field moves too fast. New software tools, updated codes and standards, emerging materials, and disruptive technologies mean that what you learned five years ago may already be outdated. Staying current requires a genuine appetite for learning throughout your entire career, not only at its start. Engineers who stop learning become obsolete faster than in almost any other profession. On our Engineering social media site, it is now common to see Branches and Division publish one form of event, most technical event, technical session, technical presentation. If these are boring to you, You are either not a serious engineer or you chose wrong career. Learn to attend, and read articles. Engineers who don’t read will be behind eventually and pay for it.

None of these reasons should stop a determined person. Engineering is demanding, but it produces some of the most capable and resilient professionals in the world. The goal here is simply to ensure that those who choose the path do so with clear eyes. The engineers who truly thrive are those who knew what they were signing up for and chose it anyway. And if you are already a graduate of Engineering and you still feel all the above with discomfort, you ha a not been scammed. You can change career and become a marketer, finance Tech executive or join Politics and apply your skills

My name is Isqil Najim and I can be reached on LinkedIn HERE

World’s first large-scale Giant Hydrogen Engine Powers a National Grid in Spain

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World’s first large-scale Giant Hydrogen Engine Powers a National Grid in Spain

A giant hydrogen engine plant has successfully supplied electricity to Spain’s national grid, a development its manufacturer describes as a world first in large-scale clean power generation.

By Isqil Najim

A giant hydrogen engine plant has successfully supplied electricity to Spain’s national grid — a development its manufacturer describes as a world first in large-scale clean power generation.

For engineers and everyday energy users alike, the achievement marks a significant step in the global race to build power systems that do not destroy the planet.

The technology was developed by Wärtsilä, a Finnish energy company with decades of experience building large industrial engines. The engine was tested at the company’s facility in northern Spain, where it ran on pure hydrogen and fed electricity directly into the national grid. No carbon dioxide was released in the process.

What exactly happened, and why does it matter?

To understand the significance, one must first understand renewable energy’s most frustrating limitation. Solar panels and wind turbines are clean and increasingly affordable, but they are also unreliable. The sun does not always shine. The wind does not always blow. When they stop generating power, the grid still needs to meet demand — and that gap is typically filled by gas or coal plants, which pump carbon emissions into the atmosphere.

Hydrogen engines offer a different solution. When solar and wind energy produce more electricity than the grid needs, that surplus power can be used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen through a process called electrolysis. The hydrogen is then stored and held in reserve. When the grid later needs backup power, the hydrogen engine fires up and converts that stored hydrogen back into electricity through combustion — producing nothing but water vapour as a byproduct.

Unlike hydrogen fuel cells, which generate electricity through a chemical reaction, the Wärtsilä system uses a large combustion engine that has been adapted to run entirely on hydrogen. The principle is familiar to any engineer — it works much like a diesel generator, except the fuel is hydrogen and the exhaust is clean.

The most obvious benefit is the absence of carbon emissions. At a time when countries worldwide are under pressure to reduce greenhouse gases, a backup power system that produces zero carbon output is enormously attractive.
The second benefit is reliability. Unlike batteries, which lose capacity over time and are expensive to scale, hydrogen can be stored in large quantities and used on demand. This makes it well suited to stabilising electricity grids that depend heavily on wind and solar energy.

The third benefit is scale. Wärtsilä says multiple units of this engine can be combined into utility-scale power plants capable of producing hundreds of megawatts. That is enough electricity to power millions of homes — numbers that start to make national energy planning conversations very interesting.

What is the future of hydrogen engines?

The short answer is: promising, but not without challenges. Experts widely regard hydrogen as one of the most important fuels of the coming decades. Several governments, including those in the European Union, the United Kingdom, Japan, and South Korea, have already committed billions of dollars to hydrogen infrastructure. The International Energy Agency has described hydrogen as central to reaching global net-zero emissions targets by 2050.

However, significant hurdles remain. Producing hydrogen at scale requires either large amounts of renewable electricity for electrolysis, or carbon capture technology if fossil fuels are used in the process. Storing and transporting hydrogen also demands specialised infrastructure that most countries have not yet built. Policy frameworks and long-term investment commitments must follow for the technology to reach its potential.

Spain, where this test took place, is already one of Europe’s leading producers of renewable energy. Wind and solar power account for a growing share of the country’s electricity generation, which makes it a natural testing ground for complementary technologies like hydrogen storage and combustion.

What this means for Nigeria and Africa

For Nigeria and the broader African continent, this development carries a particular significance. Africa is endowed with some of the world’s most abundant solar and wind resources, yet energy poverty remains a daily reality for hundreds of millions of people. A technology that can convert renewable energy surplus into reliable, storable, zero-carbon power has the potential to transform how the continent approaches electricity generation.

Nigeria’s engineers, researchers and energy policymakers would do well to follow hydrogen developments closely. The infrastructure challenges are real and the investment required is substantial, but countries that position themselves early in the hydrogen economy stand to benefit enormously in the decades ahead.

What Wärtsilä has demonstrated in Spain is not merely a technical milestone. It is evidence that the vision of a clean, reliable, large-scale power system — one that does not depend on burning fossil fuels — is no longer theoretical. It has been tested, documented, and delivered to a national grid.

The blueprint now exists. The question for every country watching is simply this: what will you do with it?

Isqil Najim can be reached on Linkedin HERE

How SpaceX’s Historic Stock Market Debut Changed One Welder’s Life Forever

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How SpaceX’s Historic Stock Market Debut Changed One Welder’s Life Forever

by Isqil Najim

When Juan Hernandez took a $28 an hour  job as a welder at SpaceX in 2015, he did not know what the company was. A friend had tipped him off and said there was work, and that his hands would be useful there. So Hernandez showed up, the way working men do: without ceremony, without expectations, ready to earn his keep. On Friday, Juan Hernandez became a millionaire.

“It was just another contract job for me at the time,” he said.

More than a decade later, that ordinary decision has produced an extraordinary outcome.

SpaceX, the rocket and satellite company founded by Elon Musk, made its long-anticipated debut on the Nasdaq stock exchange last Friday under the ticker symbol SPCX, in an initial public offering that valued the company at $75 billion.

By the time trading closed, shares were sitting at $160.95. For Hernandez, who accumulated roughly 6,500 shares during his ten years at the company, that closing price translated to a personal holding worth just over one million dollars — $1,046,175, to be precise.

The Welder who once said he did not know what SpaceX was is now, by any reasonable definition, a millionaire.

How It Happened

Hernandez joined SpaceX as a welder at a time when the company was already building a reputation as one of the most ambitious aerospace ventures in American history, but had not yet become the cultural and financial phenomenon it is today. His work was foundational in the literal sense — he built the structures that lifted rockets onto launch pads, constructed the infrastructure that held them in place as they prepared to leave the earth.

When SpaceX offered him $10,000 worth of stock as part of his compensation, he accepted without fully understanding what he was accepting. It was not something he had ever been offered before.

“I didn’t know anything about it then,” he said. “I didn’t know it was gonna be this big, at this point.”

Over the years, Hernandez rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a supervisor. He stayed a decade — long enough to watch those early stock grants grow, split, and compound in value through private funding rounds that quietly pushed SpaceX’s valuation into the stratosphere long before it ever reached Wall Street.

He has since moved on, and now works at Blue Origin, the rocket startup owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. But the shares he earned at SpaceX came with him.

The Bigger Picture

The IPO did not only make Hernandez wealthy. It made Elon Musk the first person in recorded history to cross the one trillion dollar threshold in personal net worth — a milestone that generated as many headlines as the listing itself. Musk, who founded SpaceX in 2002 with the stated ambition of making humanity a multi-planetary species, has now translated that ambition into a valuation the financial world had not previously seen attached to a single individual.

For Hernandez, though, the story is less about Musk and more about what the company’s structure made possible for the people who showed up and did the work. He believes that giving employees equity — a stake, however small, in the outcome — changes how they perform.

“They will perform a lot better because it is their company as well,” he said.

Despite the life-changing sum now attached to his name, Hernandez says he has no intention of stopping work. He is a U.S. immigrant, and he speaks about hard work the way people do when it has been both survival and identity — not as a burden, but as something passed down.

He is already passing it on. His three children — aged six, ten, and sixteen — are being raised with lessons about money, investment, and ownership that he learned the long way. His sixteen-year-old daughter has already invested in Meta and several other companies.

“She’s a little entrepreneur herself,” he said.

If he ever found himself face to face with Elon Musk, Hernandez said he would not ask for anything. He would simply say thank you — for building something that made room for a welder from outside the orbit of wealth and finance to own a piece of it.

“He made it a possibility for somebody like us, you know, the cook or the electrician,” Hernandez said. “He’s making all these lives much better and meaningful for their families as well.”

It is a sentiment that will resonate far beyond California. In a world where ordinary workers are routinely excluded from the wealth they help create, the story of a man who welded rockets and quietly became a millionaire carries a power that no press release about a billion-dollar IPO quite captures on its own.

Source: CBS News. Additional reporting by Emily Pandise.

Lagos Launches ‘Operation BioShield’ to Preempt Ebola Threat; Clarifies No Active Cases

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Lagos Launches ‘Operation BioShield’ to Preempt Ebola Threat; Clarifies No Active Cases

The Lagos State Government has rolled out a comprehensive disease prevention drive, named “Operation Lagos BioShield,” aimed at bolstering public vigilance and improving tracking systems against the Ebola virus. This preventive deployment comes in response to ongoing transmission clusters reported across regions of Central and East Africa.

State authorities explicitly clarified that neither Lagos nor any other part of Nigeria has registered a single confirmed incidence of the virus.

Speaking on Saturday, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, explained that the strategic campaign serves as a defensive blueprint to block potential cross-border transmission rather than a reactive measure to a local emergency. He pointed out that proactive planning is essential, given that nations like Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are currently combating the Bundibugyo Ebola variant—a specific strain that lacks universally accessible antiviral therapies or authorized vaccines.

Prof. Abayomi advised the public against panic, emphasizing that the state’s healthcare infrastructure has been placed on high alert.

“This initiative is not a response to an active threat,” the commissioner clarified. “It is an intentional strategy designed to upgrade community awareness, emergency preparedness, and preventative protocol.”

According to health officials, managing the virus hinges on early identification, swift medical isolation, robust containment practices, and supportive clinical therapies. The ministry stressed that public cooperation and the circulation of factual data are vital to keeping the population safe.

Addressing transmission routes, Abayomi noted that Ebola cannot be contracted through casual everyday exposure. Instead, it requires direct physical contact with bodily fluids, blood, or materials contaminated by an individual who is actively symptomatic and ill. He cautioned residents against circulating unverified reports and fueling social stigma, noting that clear public awareness is a cornerstone of effective disease management.

Because Lagos operates as a major West African trade epicentre and a core international travel junction, the state ministry is coordinating directly with federal institutions, maritime operators, aviation authorities, and border control departments to enforce heightened screening and tracking at all major entry ports.

Over the coming weeks, the Ministry of Health plans to scale up education campaigns across schools, residential neighborhoods, and corporate offices. These efforts will focus on teaching citizens how to identify symptoms, execute safety measures, and follow proper notification channels.

Travelers returning from areas with documented outbreaks who experience sudden health changes—such as high fever, exhaustion, digestive issues, vomiting, or unusual bleeding—are urged to minimize contact with others and immediately notify state medical teams via the emergency lines 112 or 767, or by contacting the State Epidemiologist directly.

Expressing confidence in the region’s containment infrastructure, Abayomi pointed to Lagos State’s decisive management during the 2014 Ebola outbreak.

“Our state successfully halted the spread of Ebola and shielded millions of residents through unified leadership, rigorous monitoring, quick interventions, and the shared resolve of our healthcare staff and citizens,” Abayomi stated. “That same readiness and vigilance guide our ongoing commitment to protecting the health of everyone in Lagos.”

The state government concluded by urging the public to stay observant, adhere strictly to official health guidelines, and depend solely on verified communication channels as regional data continues to be analyzed.

NSE Victoria Island Branch Set to Host 7th Engr. Babagana Mohammed Distinguished Public Lecture

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By Isqil Najim

The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Victoria Island Branch under the leadership of Engr Babatunde James, is set to host the 7th edition of the Engr. Babagana Mohammed FNSE Distinguished Public Annual Lecture.

The event is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the NSE Lagos Liaison office, 1 Engineering Close, Victoria Island, Lagos, at 10:00 AM prompt.

This year’s lecture will center on the theme, “The Role of Engineers in Combating Infrastructure Vandalism.” The theme is coming at a critical time when safeguarding public assets and vital installations remains a top priority for national development and economic stability.

According to an official statement from the NSE-VI Publicity Secretariat, the annual lecture serves as a vital platform for engineering leaders, industry professionals, and distinguished stakeholders to deliberate on impactful strategies and innovative solutions to curb asset destruction across the country.

The Bramch have extended invitation to all engineering professionals, regulatory bodies, and interested members of the public to participate in the session, which promises to offer deep insights into infrastructural security and technical oversight.

Public Faith in University Degrees Drops to Historic Lows in England and the United States

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Public Faith in University Degrees Drops to Historic Lows in England and the United States

By MyEngineers

Public confidence in the value of a university education has plummeted to unprecedented lows in both England and the United States. This shift in public sentiment comes as university graduates in two of the globe’s premier academic destinations contend with an increasingly unforgiving job market, shrinking financial advantages, and mounting student debt.

According to the annual British Social Attitudes survey published by the National Center for Social Research (NatCen), an unprecedented 34% of people in England now believe that a university education is not worth the investment of time and money. This marks the highest level of skepticism recorded since the question was introduced in 2005, when a mere 14% held that view. Notably, this is the first time the metric has surpassed the 20% threshold.

Concurrently, the percentage of individuals who believe a degree is worthwhile has dropped from 46% in 2018 to just 22%. For the first time on record, critics of higher education outnumber its proponents. Furthermore, a record-low 36% of respondents believe that graduates achieve a significantly better financial position, while 77% feel a degree fails to offer good value for money—a sharp rise from the 51% recorded in 2014.

Alex Scholes, a research director at NatCen, noted that a combination of a stagnant job market, a diminishing wage advantage, and rising debt burdens has altered public opinion. He added that widespread debates regarding the fairness of student loans and the escalating impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on employment have heavily influenced public perception.

Academic leaders share these concerns. Professor Shitij Kapur, Vice-Chancellor of King’s College London, observed that a university degree has transitioned into something resembling “a visa” rather than serving as the definitive ticket to upward social mobility it once represented. He attributed this compression of graduate opportunities to a sluggish economy, an oversupply of degree-holders, and the rapid integration of AI across industries.

The decline in confidence in England mirrors a massive shift in American public sentiment. A poll conducted among registered voters found that 63% believe a four-year college degree is no longer worth the associated costs, compared to 33% who still see its value. This marks a dramatic departure from 2017, when public opinion was almost evenly divided at 49% to 47%. Analysts noted that the speed of this transition is highly unusual, with confidence dropping across all surveyed demographics, including college graduates themselves.

The shifting public mood aligns closely with current economic data. Figures from the House of Commons Library revealed that during the opening quarter of 2026, youth unemployment (ages 16 to 24) in the United Kingdom reached 16.2%, climbing from 14.2% the previous year. This represents 729,000 unemployed young people, an increase of 110,000 year-over-year. Separate data indicates that over 700,000 graduates across various age groups are currently unemployed and receiving state benefits.

In the United States, data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York placed the unemployment rate for recent college graduates near 5.7% early this year, outstripping the national average. Additionally, more than 40% of recent American graduates who managed to secure employment are underemployed, working in roles that do not require a higher education credential.

The historical salary premium that traditionally justified the high cost of higher education is steadily decreasing. According to the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, the wage advantage that young British graduates hold over non-graduates fell from roughly 35% in 2007 to approximately 24% by 2024. Analysts attribute this contraction to a saturated market of degree-holders, which allows employers to be highly selective while keeping entry-level compensation low.

Compounding the issue is the accumulation of student debt. University students in England face annual tuition fees reaching up to £9,535 ($12,800). At the same time, the government has kept the salary threshold at which graduates must begin loan repayments frozen, rather than adjusting it upward to match inflation. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has characterized this policy as an indirect tax increase on degree holders.

An assessment by the consultancy firm London Economics indicates that policy shifts implemented since 2022 will result in a lifetime cost increase of roughly £13,400 ($18,000) for male graduates and about £16,900 ($22,600) for female graduates. In comparison, aggregate student loan debt in the United States has swelled to an estimated $1.81 trillion.

Higher education institutions are already operating under intense financial constraints. Experts warn that if public trust continues to erode, the long-term viability of universities as primary drivers of economic expansion and social advancement will face severe challenges.

Tinubu Resurrecting Colonial-Era South-East Road Projects, Says Umahi

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Tinubu Resurrecting Colonial-Era South-East Road Projects, Says Umahi

By MyEngineers

The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has declared that several critical road projects in the South-East region, which were conceived during the colonial era but abandoned for decades by successive administrations, are finally being actualised under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Senator Umahi, the immediate past Governor of Ebonyi State, made this disclosure on Saturday while leading a high-powered delegation of senior journalists and top government officials on an inspection tour of the administration’s legacy infrastructure projects across Ebonyi State.

Speaking during the tour, the Minister singled out the Calabar-Ebonyi-Benue Trans-Saharan Superhighway as a milestone project of immense strategic importance, designed to seamlessly link the South-East, South-South, and North-Central geopolitical zones.

“It is a colonial-era dream long forgotten, but President Tinubu has revived it, and construction is now underway. We must thank him immensely,” Umahi stated, praising the President’s political will.

Steady Mobilisation and Concrete Revolution
Providing a technical breakdown of the progress on the Trans-Saharan Superhighway, the Minister reported steady mobilization on site. He revealed that Section One, which was initially designed to span 118 kilometres, has been expanded to 123.6 kilometres under a contract sum of ₦45 billion, with dualisation works currently ongoing.

Similarly, Section Two, which stretches from the Aboadi border through Benue and Kogi States down to Nasarawa State, has been awarded at the cost of ₦668 billion.

Despite the onset of the heavy rainy season, Senator Umahi noted that the project has hit an impressive 28% completion rate in several areas. He attributed the uninterrupted pace of work to President Tinubu’s enforcement of rigid concrete road technology, a durable pavement method the President pioneered during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State and is now replicating nationwide.

“The Trans‑Sahara Superhighway is not just a road; it is an investment corridor that will catalyse trade in agricultural produce like cassava, yams, cashews, and palm oil from Cross River, Benue and Ebonyi, while also connecting Nigeria to Cameroon,” the Minister explained.

Expressing the profound appreciation of the region to the Commander-in-Chief, Umahi declared that the current administration has effectively corrected decades of infrastructural marginalisation. “All our forefathers sought—inclusiveness—we have it now,” he affirmed.

On-the-Spot Assessment of Legacy Links
The inspection team—which included the Minister; the Acting Federal Controller of Works in Ebonyi State, Engr. Maxwell Okoh; and Mohammed Mustafa, the Project Manager of Infiouest International Limited (the construction firm handling the project)—carried out a rigorous assessment of critical structures along the route.

Key sites inspected include:

The Ndi-Egbe Bridge: A 1.3-kilometre bridge structure in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State linking Ugep in Cross River State. The bridge is on track for completion by December 2026.

The Onueke Flyover: Located in Ebonyi’s Central Senatorial District, this ₦35 billion mega-structure stands 90 metres high and is flanked by a 2.2-kilometre approach road on either side, engineered specifically to decongest heavy vehicular traffic on the highway.

Inter-State Concrete Links: The completed rigid concrete pavement linking Okposi-Ukawu in Oha-Zara LGA of Ebonyi State to Ugwulangu-Abaomege in Ugep, Cross River State.

While receiving the media and presidential delegation at the Government House in Abakaliki, the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Right Honourable Francis Nwifuru, commended President Tinubu for his unalloyed commitment to the infrastructural renewal of the South-East zone.

Governor Nwifuru used the occasion to highlight his administration’s massive investments in grassroots development, stating that contractors have been kept busy with rural road networks, primary health centres, and potable water schemes across all local government areas.

“We do not even view the road projects as a big deal because we have road projects scattered all over the state,” Nwifuru asserted.

The Governor also made a bold declaration regarding the security architecture of the state, naming Ebonyi as the safest state in the federation, backed by a zero-case record of kidnapping since his assumption of office.

South-East Leaders Set for Mega Rally to Endorse Tinubu
Ahead of the political calendar, Senator Umahi dropped a hint of an upcoming major political alignment in the region. He disclosed that South-East governors, apex socio-cultural groups, and political stakeholders are scheduled to converge on Abakaliki on Monday for a mammoth solidarity rally to formally endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office.

The Minister added that Governor Nwifuru will lead the mobilization of the Ebonyi populace to show appreciation for the President’s milestones, urging citizens to completely disregard the “rantings of opposition politicians” who cannot match Tinubu’s verifiable scorecard.

The ongoing South-East inspection is the second leg of the National Media Tour, following the successful conclusion of the North-West regional tour. The initiative is organized by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, chaired by Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, in collaboration with the Presidential Media Team.

The high-level delegation is jointly led by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, and Chief Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications.

Other notable members of the presidential media contingent include: Tunde Rahman, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Media; Tope Ajayi, SSA on Media and Publicity; Otega Ogra, SSA on Digital and New Media; Segun Dada, Special Assistant on Social Media; Linda Akhigbe & Fred Nwabufo, SSAs on Strategic Communications; Abdullahi Tanko Yakasai & Barr. Chioma Nweze, SSAs on Community Engagement; Dare Olude, SSA on Job Creation.

Following the conclusion of the Ebonyi state assessment, the media delegation is expected to move to Enugu State on Monday, before proceeding to Abia, Anambra, and Imo States to conclude the tracking of Renewed Hope legacy projects in the zone.

APWEN reiterates commitment for capacity building among members

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APWEN reiterates commitment for capacity building among members

By Moses Nosike

The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria, (APWEN) Victoria Island Chapter has re-enforced its commitment for capacity building among members in a bid to remain competitive and meet the demand of global trend in engineering sector. It also encourages young female engineers to join the professional association for capacity development, gain exposure for standard practice.

The association said this during the inauguration/public lecture of the 2nd chairman of the chapter, Engr. Nneamaka Grace Ekechukwu, and swearing-in of new executive committee members.

In her address, Ekechukwu said, “The Association of Professional Women Engineers was founded on the belief that women, united in purpose, can transform the engineering profession, industries, and society. Over the years, we have broken barriers, challenged stereotypes, and created pathways for those who come after us.

“Today, we celebrate not only our achievements but also our resilience and determination. Acknowledging the Journey, the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), a division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), is a non-profit, non-governmental organization. APWEN has been an advocate for advancing the professional development of practicing female engineers, technologists and scientists, inspiring young girls to study science and engineering, and mentoring engineering students through seminars/conferences, to ensure retention post-graduation”.

Lending her words on the theme of the inauguration: “A Global Call for Climate Action”, she said, “It is urgent and intentional. As professional women engineers, we do not have the luxury of spectating while our planet groans under the weight of rising temperatures, flooding, waste pollution, and energy poverty”.

Ekechukwu said that climate action is no longer a future aspiration; it is a present engineering mandate. “APWEN believes that engineering is the frontline defence against climate collapse”.

According to her, “From designing resilient drainage systems in Victoria island to championing renewable energy solutions in our rural communities, we are called to act. This public lecture will challenge us to move beyond conversation to practical, measurable interventions”.

Also, guest speaker during her presentation on, “Climate Action Now: The Strategic Role of Women Engineers in Building a Sustainable Future”, Engr. Olufenmilayo Kadri, said, “As we celebrate two significant occasions: The inauguration of the Second Chairman of the APWEN, Victoria Island Chapter and the global observance of World Environment Day 2026, the world is united by a common concern and a common responsibility. Across continents, governments, industries, professionals, communities, and citizens are asking a critical question: How do we secure a livable future for generations yet unborn? The answer lies in one phrase: Climate Action”.

Engr. Kadri said that the environmental challenges confronting our world today are no longer future predictions, they are present realities. “We see them in rising temperatures. We see them in flooding and coastal erosion. We see them in the pollution of our land, air, and water. We see them in biodiversity loss. We see them in increasing pressure on our infrastructure and resources”.

“Nowhere are these challenges more visible than in rapidly urbanising coastal cities such as Lagos. Yet it also illustrates the environmental pressures that accompany rapid growth. As engineers, we understand that development and environmental stewardship are not opposing goals. They must work together”.

She said, “The cities of the future will not be judged solely by the height of their buildings or the size of their investments. They will be judged by their sustainability, resilience, and ability to protect both people and the planet”.

Engr. Kadri said further that the responsibility places engineers at the centre of climate action.

“Engineering has always been about solving society’s greatest challenges. It also requires diverse perspectives, inclusive leadership, and innovative thinking”.

Continuing she said, “Across Nigeria and beyond, female engineers are making remarkable contributions in environmental engineering, renewable energy, transportation, water resources, waste management, sustainable construction, urban planning, and digital technologies”.  (Vanguard)

FG announces next stage of recruitment into Immigration, Civil Defence, others

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FG announces next stage of recruitment into Immigration, Civil Defence, others

The Federal Government has announced the next stage of recruitment into the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Federal Fire Service (FFS) and Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS).

Applicants who sat for the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) recruitment test last November are expected to check if they made the shortlist for physical screening.

The Board through its Secretary, Major Gen. Abdulmalik Jibril (rtd) said in a statement that the 2024/2025 recruitment exercise would move to the next stage which is physical screening and document verification starting next week.

He directed applicants who took the Computer-Based Test in November 2025 to log on to the official portal, https://recruitment.cdcfib.gov.ng, between Monday, June 15 and Friday, June 20, 2026, to confirm their status.

“Applicants are required to log in using the Application Number generated at the time of initial registration,” the statement read.

Those shortlisted will upload their credentials on the portal and pick a date and venue for their physical screening.

The Board warned applicants to follow all instructions on the portal carefully to avoid disqualification.

It also issued a strong warning against fraud. It emphasised that the entire recruitment process is free.

“No fee should be paid by applicants to any individual, agent, group or organization claiming to render assistance with shortlisting, venue allocation, document upload, access to screening venue, or final selection,” Jibril stated.

The public was urged to ignore fake recruitment messages and fraudulent links circulating online. According to the Board, all official updates will come only through the recruitment portal and its approved communication channels.

The CDCFIB said it remains committed to a transparent, credible, and merit-based exercise in line with extant rules guiding recruitment.

Applicants are advised to prepare their original credentials ahead of the physical screening dates.

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