The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has called on government agencies to implement the “Buy Nigeria First” policy introduced by President Bola Tinubu.
The 35th President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, made the call during his inauguration as President of the Society, which was held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
He commended the President for the policy, which was introduced by the Bureau of Public Procurement, describing it as a transformative initiative that, if properly implemented, could position Nigeria as a true giant of Africa.
Mr Rabiu noted that the policy aligns with the COREN Act 2018 (as amended) and Executive Order 5 of 2018.
He further commended the legal and accounting professions for implementing the policy.
“The ‘Buy Nigeria First’ policy is already being implemented in the legal profession, where the Federal Ministry of Justice assigns cases to external lawyers, and in the accounting profession, where all MDAs are compelled to conduct statutory annual audits through external auditors,” he said.
However, the NSE President pointed out that some government agencies and parastatals, especially those focused on infrastructure development, were in breach of the policy.
“It may shock Mr President to know that MDAs, especially infrastructure-related ministries such as the Federal Ministries of Works, Power, Water Resources, and the Federal Capital Territory Administration, have largely observed these laws in the breach.
“Projects running into trillions of naira are being executed across Nigeria, both by the Federal Government and the state governments, without the involvement of Nigerian engineering professionals,” he said.
Mr Rabiu further stressed the need to uphold global best practices by engaging external consultants to design, supervise, and provide independent professional opinions in public infrastructure delivery.
“May I use this opportunity, on behalf of Nigerian engineers who have vested their trust in me to speak for them by electing me as their 35th President, to plead with Mr President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to direct and compel the Honourable Ministers of Works, Power, Water Resources, and the Federal Capital Territory to, as a matter of urgency, implement the ‘Buy Nigeria First’ policy by engaging competent Nigerian consultants in the design, supervision, and certification of all projects costing over ₦500 million,” he said.
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Speaking on his plans for the NSE, Mr Rabiu explained that his administration would focus on resetting the Society, strengthening its institutional foundations, and restoring its role as a critical driver of engineering excellence and national progress.
“In recent years, our Society has made commendable progress through various reform efforts. These steps have laid a necessary foundation, but this moment demands more. It requires strategic clarity, bold thinking, and a deeper connection to national priorities.
“As President, I am committed to leading this reset with focus and conviction, building an institution that sets engineering standards, drives innovation, and delivers measurable value to members. This is the spirit of the Rabiu Presidency resetting the NSE for relevance, resilience, and national impact.
“The NSE Strategic Document, recently approved by the Council, provides a bold 10-year blueprint for the future of our Society,” he said.
According to Mr Rabiu, his presidency will focus on five strategic pillars derived from the document: membership development, strategic partnerships, international relations, community impact, and institutional branding.
Also speaking, the 34th and outgoing NSE President, Engr. Margaret Oguntala, while congratulating Mr Rabiu, expressed hope that the foundation laid by her administration would be sustained and built upon.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, represented by Senator Pius Anyim Pius, congratulated Engr. Rabiu and urged him to strengthen Engineering Regulation Monitoring (ERM) to address recurring incidents of building collapse across the country.
Similarly, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senator Engr. Patrick Ndubueze, pledged the Senate’s support for the NSE, affirming its readiness to work closely with the Society to advance engineering development in Nigeria.
The Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, called on stakeholders across government, the private sector, academia, and development partners to support the new administration in leveraging engineering expertise for effective governance, economic diversification, job creation, and national competitiveness.