Nigerian Academy of Engineering Unveils Prof. Umar Danbatta as 14th President

The Nigerian Academy of Engineering has inaugurated former Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, as its 14th President. The ceremony, held in Lagos, also featured the induction of 12 new fellows, presentation of Lifetime Achievement Awards and conferment of honorary fellowships.

Prof. Danbatta, who was unveiled as the new president on Saturday, outlined a four-point agenda focused on policy engagement, academia-industry collaboration, mentorship, and strategic partnerships. He said his agenda aligns with the academy's 2024–2028 Strategic Plan, which seeks to transform engineering education, promote industrialisation, strengthen infrastructure management and advance technical skills development.

The new president also identified the disconnect between academia and industry as a major obstacle to technological advancement and pledged to strengthen partnerships that would equip graduates with practical, entrepreneurial and industry-relevant skills. He said his team would deepen engagement with the executive and legislative arms of government to ensure that public policies are driven by sound engineering data, research and innovation.

Prof. Danbatta promised to prioritize mentorship and capacity development for young engineers through workshops, conferences, research grants and professional development programmes. He also urged engineers to move beyond advocacy and contribute practical solutions to Nigeria's developmental challenges.

The Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University Kano, Prof. Haruna Musa, called on the academy to play a greater role in addressing Nigeria's development challenges through engineering-driven solutions. He identified energy security, renewable energy development, transportation modernisation and technology-based security systems as critical areas requiring urgent intervention.

Speaking on behalf of the newly inducted fellows, Mrs. Aramide Adeyoye, pledged the commitment of the new members to advancing engineering excellence and contributing to national development. Delivering the academy's annual lecture, Prof. Emeritus Fola Lasisi called for increased investment in engineering education, research and innovation to accelerate economic growth and industrial development.

Lasisi described engineering as a major driver of modern economies, noting that countries that invested heavily in technology, research and innovation had achieved rapid and sustainable development. He also urged Nigerian professionals in the diaspora to contribute their expertise towards national development.

The ceremony was attended by members of the academy, guests and stakeholders in the engineering profession.