NSE inducts 626 LAUTECH graduate engineers, stresses AI’s role in engineering practice

By Sunday Adepoju

The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), on Tuesday, inducted 626 Faculty of Engineering and Technology graduates (2023/2024) of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) into the Society’s graduate membership.

At the 19th NSE induction ceremony of the Institution, held at The Great Hall of the University on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, and covering seven Departments (Agricultural Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Food Engineering and Mechanical Engineering), 549 males and 77 females were inducted into the engineering society.

The President of the NSE, Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntala, FNSE ably represented by the Vice President, Engineering, Innovation and Technology, Engr. Joseph Sunday Adebayo, FNSE, who congratulated the inductees, charged the graduate members to contribute meaningfully to the engineering field, charging them to uphold the tenets and ethics of the profession.

In his keynote at the event, the Vice-Chancellor of LAUTECH, Professor Rasaq Olatunde ROM Kalilu, fnsa represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellorp(Strategy and Development), Professor Adepoju Tunde Joseph Ogunkunle, stressed the importance of the graduate members’ induction and charged the graduate engineers to see the feat as a call to action, a commitment to innovation, and a responsibility to society.

Kalilu said, “Today, we celebrate your achievements, your resilience, and your readiness to embark on a journey that will not only define your future but also shape the world we live in.

“Engineering, as a discipline, is much more than a profession. It is a call to action, a commitment to innovation, and a responsibility to society. Engineers are at the forefront of solving humanity’s most complex problems.

“Whether it’s addressing climate change, building smarter cities, ensuring access to clean water and energy, or leveraging technology to improve lives, engineers have always been the architects of progress.

“Today, as you are formally inducted into this noble profession, as Graduate member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), I want you to remember three important principles that will guide you as you carve your path in the engineering world: purpose, passion, and perseverance.

“Purpose is what gives meaning to your work. As engineers, your designs, systems, and solutions must serve a greater good. Consider how your innovations will impact people and the environment. Let purpose drive your decisions and guide you toward work that not only advances technology but also uplifts humanity.

“As you leave here today, I urge you to think beyond your individual achievements and consider the collective impact you can make as a cohort of change-makers. Collaborate across disciplines, embrace diverse perspectives, and always uphold the ethical principles that underpin our profession.

“You are stepping into a world that is evolving faster than ever before—a world of artificial intelligence, renewable energy, biotechnology, and smart infrastructure. The challenges are immense, but so are the opportunities. I have no doubt that each of you possesses the knowledge, the skills, and the vision to rise to these challenges and leave a lasting mark.

“On behalf of the entire university community, I want to congratulate you on this remarkable achievement. We are immensely proud of you and confident that you will uphold the legacy of excellence that this institution stands for. As you embark on this next phase of your journey, know that you carry with you not only the knowledge you have gained but also the hopes and aspirations of all who have supported you along the way.

“The world is waiting for your ideas, your ingenuity, and your leadership. Go forth with confidence, with purpose, and with the determination to make a difference.”

In his welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, LAUTECH, Engr. Prof. Oladipupo Ṣeun Oladejo, MNSE stressed the relevance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to the practice of engineering.

“As new graduates, you stand at the forefront of this transformation. You have the unique opportunity to lead the charge in integrating AI into engineering practices to drive sustainable advancements.

“This is not just a technical challenge; it is a moral and professional responsibility. The solutions you design must not only be innovative but also environmentally conscious, socially inclusive, and economically viable.

“This theme, therefore, is not just a topic of discussion—it is a clarion call. It is a call for you to embrace the power of AI responsibly, ethically, and purposefully. It is a call for you to think creatively and act boldly as you tackle some of the world’s most complex challenges.

“Let me remind you that while AI can amplify your abilities and enhance your impact, it is your human ingenuity, integrity, and vision that will truly make a difference. Technology, no matter how advanced, is only as powerful as the people who use it. As engineers, you must always remain at the helm, guiding technological advancements to serve humanity and protect our planet.

“I urge you to seize this opportunity to specialize, innovate, and lead. Collaborate across disciplines, embrace lifelong learning, and strive to be agents of positive change. Remember, engineering is not just about solving problems; it is about creating solutions that uplift communities and ensure a sustainable future.

“On behalf of the Faculty of Engineering, I congratulate each and every one of you on this remarkable achievement. Your hard work, dedication, and resilience have brought you to this point, and we are immensely proud of you.”

Delivering the induction lecture on the theme “Harnessing the Power of Artificial Intelligence for Innovative Sustainable Engineering”, the Guest Speaker, Rotarian Pastor Engr. Johnson Oluwafemi Ajayi, MNSE, the CEO of Johphem Associates stated that AI has provided a prosperous future of engineering practice.

He said that AI has affected positively in the areas of building smarter infrastructure like art roads, bridges and flood control, smart cities, AI managing power grid, AI in manufacturing, agriculture, among other areas.

Engr. Ajayi, therefore, charged the I ductless to leverage the role of AI in the practice of engineering.

He noted that different software on AI has revolutionized the practice, adding that AI helps to identify problems and solves it.

The NSE Chairman, Ogbomoso Branch, Engr. Prof. Samson Olakunle Ojoawo (FNSE) after administering Oath on the inductees on behalf of NSE President, told Pannigerinannews.com that engineering plays major role in the development strides of the country.

He expressed confidence that the new inductees would contribute to the infrastructural development of Nigeria.

Prof. Ojoawo stated, “We say that engineering is the application of mathematical and physical sciences with right judgment for the benefit of humankind. When you talk of the role of engineering in Nigeria’s development, it is an indispensable one as no nation can rapidly develop without engineering and its level in any country will determine the comfort to be experienced by the citizens. You could see that everything around you is engineering. A world without engineering is completely incomplete.

“Today’s event is significant because we are churning out 626 engineering graduates from LAUTECH. They have been trained in the classroom. Now, they are going to the world to make positive impacts.”

Stressing the importance of engineering to infrastructure development, Ojoawo said it is regrettable that epileptic energy supply contributes a cog in the wheel of Nigeria’s infrastructure development.

“Look at the guest lecturer’s talk about AI to develop energy and you have smart cities and it can control and generate certain megawatt. He equally mentioned road infrastructure, all of these are germane for the development of our nation, and engineering profers the solution”

While congratulating the inductees, the Tede-born Scholar advised them to uphold the professional standards of engineering practice as they go global.

Prof. Ojoawo then offered heartfelt appreciation on behalf of the Society to the NSE President, Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntala, FNSE and her representative, Engr. Joseph Adebayo, FNSE for the unflinching support all the time to the Ogbomoso Branch; LAUTECH, beginning from Vice-Chancellor, other Principal Officers (who were all ably represented at the ceremony); the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) at large worldwide; NSE Ogbomoso Branch and her Excos, Elders, Fellows and members; the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, LAUTECH, HODs, Lecturers in the Faculty, all the Teaching and Non-teaching staff, the inductees, their parents and guardians, well wishers, among others.

The Chairman of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Ogbomoso Chapter, Engr. Prof. Tawakalitu Bola Onifade, (MNSE) also congratulated the inductees and called on the females among them to develop interest in the women wing of the NSE, noting that APWEN encourages, educates and enhance the practice of women in engineering practice.

Among other programmes at the Ceremony were presentation Awards of outstanding performance to some of the inductees.

The award for the Overall Best Graduating engineering student in the 2023/2024 session went to Komolafe Teslim Gbolahan of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

The Best Graduating Students in the various Departments included: Akano Michael Adewole (Agricultural Engineering), Abdulrasheed Waliu Alao (Chemical Engineering), Oladipupo Johnson Omoniyi (Civil Engineering), Oyelade Oluwaseun Oluwafikunmi (Computer Engineering), Adeniyi Deborah Ifeoluwa (Food Engineering), Eniade Miracle Stephen (Mechanical Engineering) and Komolafe Teslim Gbolahan, the overall best graduating student who is also the best in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

The Guest Lecturer, Engr. Ajayi, gifted each of the seven best graduating students cash awards. Other awards which attracted cash prizes included NSE Ogbomoso Branch’s Annual Award to the most outstanding graduate, APWEN awards to the Best graduates in each of the Departments and the Award from the Organizers to the Guest Lecturer.

At the event, there was also presentation of award by the CEO of El Fad Concept Ltd to the Overall Best Graduate of the Department of Civil Engineering.

Speaking with Pannigeriannews.com, the Overall Best Graduating Student, Komolafe Teslim Gbolahan, who maintained that the feat was made possible by God, his family and friends.

He said he made a lot of sacrifices, including spending about 60 per cent of the nights, reading.

“I rarely slept in my hostel. I would go to school and read. This feat is motivation for me to strive more. I’m currently pursuing PhD scholarship in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. I hope to come back to the University as an academic,” he said.

Some of the dignataries at the ceremony include the former Rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan and former Dean of the Faculty, Engr. Prof. Kazeem Adebiyi; Pioneer Chairmen of NSE Ogbomoso and of Oyo, Engr. Prof. Olusegun Oyelade and Engr.M. O. Ogundiran; Immediate Past Chairman of NSE Ogbomoso, Engr. Prof. Adedayo Adegbola, FNSE; NIMEchE Chairman of Ogbomoso Chapter, Engr. Prof. Mudashiru Lateef; Director of Engineering, Oyo State Ministry of Energy & Mineral Resources, Engr. Ayodeji Ogunsesan; and the wife of NSE Ogbomoso Branch Chairman, Dr. Mrs. Olubunmi T. Ojoawo, among others.