By Eniola Akinsipe
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and two eminent traditional rulers are among the high-profile dignitaries expected at the 2025 International Engineering Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), scheduled to open today in Ibadan.
NSE President, Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntala, disclosed this during a pre-conference media briefing held yesterday at the University of Ibadan International Conference Centre, venue of the week-long event.
The conference, themed “Engineering Innovation for a Sustainable Blue Economy,” has already drawn 6,500 registered delegates, with more engineers and international participants expected to register on-site.
Oguntala said the Society is honoured to host President Tinubu as the Distinguished Guest of Honour, noting that the administration’s prioritisation of the blue economy marks a “bold and strategic shift” away from overdependence on oil revenues. She added that former President Obasanjo, a Fellow of the NSE, will grace the gathering as Special Guest of Honour.
Governor Makinde, an engineer and Fellow of the Society, will serve as Chief Host, while the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, is billed to deliver the keynote address.
The conference will also be attended by two royal fathers who are distinguished engineers: Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the former Olubadan-designate and a Distinguished Fellow of the NSE, and Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, the Alaafin of Oyo.
“This year’s attendance reflects the broad national commitment to harnessing engineering innovation for sustainable development,” Oguntala said. “With the blue economy now central to national policy, our deliberations will help shape a technical roadmap that supports government’s efforts.”
A rich line-up of plenary sessions, technical presentations, exhibitions, cultural events, group dynamics activities, and programmes for young engineers and spouses will run throughout the week.
Today’s major highlight is the Fellowship Conferment Ceremony, where 481 engineers will be elevated to Fellows of the Nigerian Society of Engineers. Additionally, five eminent Nigerians who have contributed significantly to engineering and national development will receive honorary fellowship awards.
The conference opened at the weekend with the Engr. Alade Ajibola Golf Tournament and the National Engineering Games, which featured football, basketball, scrabble, chess, marathon walk, and traditional games.
Oguntala, who thanked the media for its continued partnership, expressed confidence that the outcomes of the conference would provide practical insights to strengthen Nigeria’s marine and blue economy agenda.
The event runs from December 1 to 5 at the University of Ibadan.
