FUTA Graduands Inducted into Nigerian Society of Engineers, Charged to Lead with Innovation and Integrity

The 2024/2025 graduands of the School of Electrical Systems Engineering (SESE) and the School of Infrastructure, Mineral, and Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), have been officially inducted into the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).

Representing the President of the NSE, the Chairman of the NSE Akure Branch, Engr. Oluwaseun, urged the inductees to uphold the highest standards of the engineering profession, emphasizing integrity, adherence to professional principles, and prioritizing safety in all their work. He further advised them to actively participate in seminars and conferences to remain current with emerging trends, noting that failure to do so would limit their professional growth.

The Chairman of the occasion, former Vice-Chancellor of Anchor University, Lagos, and former Dean of the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SEET), Engr. Professor Joseph Afolayan, encouraged the inductees to embrace lifelong learning. He advised them to associate with progressive peers, set ambitious goals, cultivate courage, and innovate through continuous personal and spiritual renewal, always seeking guidance from God.

In a keynote lecture titled “Beyond the Blueprint: Re-Imagining Engineering for the Next Generation through Digitization and Impact-Driven Design”, the Managing Director of BBT Machinery Systems Engineering Ltd, Ibadan, Engr. Idowu Ogunleye, stressed that induction marks a transition from learning to leadership. He underscored the importance of curiosity, creativity, and discovery, reminding graduates that engineering is about purpose and human-centered impact. He emphasized that empathy makes engineering meaningful and that all innovations should enhance life, dignity, and well-being.

Ogunleye also highlighted the critical role of technology in modern engineering, noting that digitization, automation, AI, renewable energy, and smart manufacturing are transforming the profession. He challenged the inductees to focus on creating value locally, stating: “Africa does not need imported solutions; it needs you. Nigeria is full of engineers seeking jobs, but it is hungry for engineers who can create value. Start where you are, even if it is small.”

FUTA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, congratulated the inductees and commended the leadership of the School of Engineering and its departments for consistently producing the university’s top graduating students over the past four years, including this year. Represented by the Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Oluayo Bello-Olusoji, she urged the graduates to tackle societal challenges and become job creators rather than job seekers, emphasizing the need to uphold excellence and contribute meaningfully to society.

The Dean of SESE, Professor Adegoke Melodi, reminded the graduates of the true purpose of their profession: to design and create tools and machines that improve human life. He encouraged them to apply the lessons learned during their university education in practical and ethical ways. Professor Christopher Akinbile, Dean of the School of Infrastructure, Mineral, and Manufacturing Engineering, advised the graduates to manage their time effectively and to serve as exemplary ambassadors of FUTA as they enter the professional field.

In her welcome address, Chairperson of the Planning Committee, Miss Johnson Orimoogunje, expressed gratitude to God, the Dean of the School of Engineering, faculty members, and the organizing committee for their support in ensuring the success of the induction ceremony. The event concluded with the administration of the NSE induction oath to the graduands, officially welcoming them into the engineering profession.