The Nigerian engineering community is gearing up for a major leadership transition as Engineer Ali Alimasuya Rabiu is set to be formally invested as the 35th President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
The ceremony comes up on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at the Banquet Hall of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja, marking a significant moment for the profession.
The event, to be hosted by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, is expected to attract top national figures, with Vice President Kashim Shettima attending as Distinguished Guest of Honour.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule and the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad, are also billed to grace the occasion, underscoring the national importance of the investiture.
As he prepares to assume office, Engineer Rabiu has outlined a leadership vision anchored on unity, integrity and accountability.
In a New Year goodwill message, he stressed that the strength of the Society lies in collaboration across its branches and divisions, noting that Nigeria’s development challenges can only be met through a united and disciplined engineering community.
He pledged transparent leadership and urged members to place collective progress above personal ambition in the interest of the profession and the nation.
Born in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Engineer Rabiu is a seasoned civil engineer with academic training in engineering and business administration from Bayero University, Kano.
A COREN-registered professional, he is widely respected within and outside Nigeria, holding fellowships in several national and international engineering and management bodies.
His career spans decades of practice and public service, with experience in major infrastructure projects across several states, including roads, bridges and water schemes. He has also served as a consultant to national investigative panels and played key roles in assessing critical infrastructure failures and public facility emergencies.
Within the Nigerian Society of Engineers, his rise through the ranks reflects years of steady leadership.
From chairing the Kano Branch to serving multiple terms as National Vice President and later Deputy President, he has been deeply involved in shaping policy and financial oversight at the highest level of the Society.
Engineer Rabiu also left a strong imprint at the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, where he served as President between 2019 and 2023.
His tenure, widely described as an “enforcement era,” focused on strengthening regulation, improving professional standards and pushing for global recognition of Nigerian engineering qualifications.
Under his leadership, COREN advanced curriculum reforms, expanded monitoring of engineering practice and forged strategic partnerships, including in renewable energy certification.
Known for his forthright views, he has consistently advocated stronger support for indigenous engineers and a shift from excessive dependence on foreign expertise.
Beyond professional circles, his contributions to education and community development in Nasarawa State have earned him traditional honours and public recognition.
Engineer Rabiu takes over from Engineer Margaret Oguntala, the Society’s first female President, whose tenure recorded notable gains in professionalism, capacity building and stakeholder engagement.
As the baton changes hands, expectations are high that the incoming President’s experience and reform-driven outlook will further position engineering as a central force in Nigeria’s development journey.
Reporting By Nosa Aituame