By Kingsley Adegboye

The Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAE), will today begin a two-day events marking the end of year 2025/26 for the Academy, and the beginning of a new year with a new President for the apex body of engineering profession in Nigeria.

The Nigerian Academy of Engineering is the apex and elite corps of the engineering profession in Nigeria, comprising topmost engineers, at home and in the diaspora, in practice, academics, public service and in industry. It has the foremost objective of advancing and pursuing excellence in Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation, in order to drive national development and international competitiveness.

Outlining the programme of the two-day events at a press conference held yesterday at the NAEng Secretariat, University of Lagos, Akoka-Yaba, the outgoing President of the Academy, Engr. Prof. Rahamon Bello, said “The celebration of innovation, mentorship, and engineering excellence will unfold over the next two days. One of the major highlights of the events will be the transfer of baton during the formal investiture of our 14th President, Engr. Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, a former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). He is the current Vice President of the Academy and automatically succeeds the president at the end of his tenure.”

According to Prof. Bello,”Specifically, “On Wednesday, 24th June 2026, at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Sheraton Hotel, 30 Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos, the Academy will hold its Annual General Meeting during which the activities over the past one year will be presented and reviewed and new Fellows formally elected.

“This strategic meeting will be followed by the 3rd Annual National Innovation Competition Exhibition showcasing breakthrough engineering designs to potential investors in the industry. The day will culminate in our annual Technology Dinner & Awards Night to honour the nation’s brightest and promising innovators as well as the Academy’s Partners and Sponsors of our apex events.

“Also to be honoured is the winner of the Academy’s Travel Fellowship Grant, which promotes global exposure by supporting young academicians to acquire needed experience in foreign institutions. The Guest Speaker at the Dinner will be Mr. Alfred I. Okoigun, the Group Managing Director of ARCO Group Plc. He will deliver a talk titled, ‘From Resource Wealth to Knowledge Wealth: The Science of Nation Building’.

“On Thursday, 25th June 2026, at the J. F Ade-Ajayi Auditorium, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, the Academy’s 2026 Annual Lecture, titled “Impactful Engineering through Innovation and Mentorship,” will be delivered by our 10th President, Engr. Emeritus Prof. Fola Lasisi. This key assembly is a four-fold event that will also feature the Investiture of our 14th President.

“There will also be presentation of our prestigious Life Achievement Awards on deserving Fellows of the Academy, and the Induction of New Fellows who are engineers who have distinguished themselves through outstanding practice and contributions to the engineering profession.”