BRIEF ON

THE NIGERIAN ACADEMY OF

ENGINEERING

AN OVERVIEW OF THE ACADEMY

The Nigerian Academy of Engineering was incorporated as a private company limited by guarantee in September 1997. It is a non-profit and non-governmental organization (NGO). The incorporation in 1997, followed a period of over five years deliberation by a select group of senior Engineers from various sectors of engineering practice in the country who debated extensively on the subject and later agreed on the need for its establishment.

  1. In the background work leading to its establishment, documents of several Academies of Engineering such as the Royal Academy of Engineering of the United Kingdom, the National Academy of Engineering of the United States of America, the National Academies of Canada, Australia, Republic of South Africa, India, China, among others were studied. Thus it is modeled along the lines of existing famous Academies of the world. At its foundation, in 1997, there were Forty-four (44) Foundation Fellows and presently (as at 2014) there are One Hundred and Thirteen (113) Fellows. Its core values are enshrined in its aims and objectives as detailed in its instrument of incorporation, its Memorandum and Articles of Association.

The Nigerian Academy of Engineering operates fully along the following lines, but not limited to;

  • A strict regard to the centrality of evidence and the laws of reason,
  • Adherence to processes and timeliness designed to foster the highest level of quality with respect to both scientific content and effective communication,
  • Rigorous procedures to insulate Academy advisory processes from biases and conflicts of interest, and
  • The formation of advisory committees based on scientific merit

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE ACADEMY

The Academy was founded to

  1. promote excellence, in general, the advancement of engineering science, education, practice and technology, and collaboration with related professional disciplines, and for the advancement of society, economy and humanity.
  2. facilitate dissemination and exchange of ideas among members and other similar bodies and establishments, specifically

a)to organize ways of anticipating and assessing the changing needs of the country and to advise appropriate bodies on the technical resources that should be applied and to sponsor programs aim at meeting these needs;

b)to provide independent and expert advice on matters of national importance pertaining to engineering and technology and the environment;

c)to cooperate and interact with professional bodies, engineering and scientific academies locally and internationally;

d)to recognize outstanding contributions to society and country by Nigerian Engineers (and engineering scientists) and to highlight exceptional engineering achievements;

e)to promote and safeguard excellence in engineering education and practice;

f)to promote high standards of professional ethics in engineering, engineering sciences, and technology;

g)to provide a forum for eminent engineers to present research and developmental activities for the benefit of the Nation and the Academy;

h)to serve the nation in connection with significant changes involving engineering and technology;

i)to receive bequests, gifts, donations, grants for the advancement of any of its objects;

j)to purchase, hold, lease, let, mortgage, sell, improve, or otherwise acquire and dispose of any movable or immovable and any rights and privileges, which may be necessary or convenient for the advancement of any of the objects of the Academy;

k)to invest and deal with the monies of the Academy not immediately required in any manner;

l)to borrow money where necessary to promote any of the objects set out herein upon such securities as may be determined;

m)to apply or petition for any legislation, parliamentary or otherwise that would further any of the objects of the Academy.

n)to provide any other services pertinent to the objects of the Academy;

Operations of the Academy

  1. Programs of the Academy

In consonance with its aims and objectives the Academy mounts a wide range of programs some of which are:

  1. publications of discourses, proceedings and reports of studies undertaken by Fellows on behalf of the Academy.
  2. organises, conferences, forums, seminars and workshops, etc.
  3. recognition of outstanding contributions to the development of engineering and technology in Nigeria and abroad.
  4. development of effective linkages with other National and International Academies of Engineering and Technology agencies and engagements in collaborative research programs with bearing on development activities.
  5. commissioning of studies on the non-performance of engineering and technology agencies and the failure of projects in the country.

An area in which the Academy has made significant input in the technological and economic advancement of the country is in the field of telecommunication. The Academy organized a study of the various mobile technologies to determine what is most suited to our national environment to be able to advise the Federal Government appropriately. The Academy was thus able to influence government decision to choose GSM in preference to the CDMA technology. Another area is the ongoing power sector reformation agenda in the country where the Academy’s Committee on Power conducted a long term study of power needs of the country.

  1. Fellows Forum

The Academy organizes fora on various engineering and technology issues to which the public is usually invited. Some of the topics dealt with in the past include:

a)“Enhanced Aviation Security in Nigeria Airports: Aftermath of December 25, 2009 Attack” by Engr. Dr. H. O. Demuren, FNSE, FAEng (August 19th, 2010).

b)“Local Content Development Act and its Implications to the Oil & Gas Industries”, by Engr. Ernest Nwakpa, FNSE, (September 8th, 2011).

c)“Training Engineering Manpower for 20: 2020” by Engr. V. I. Maduka, FNSE, FAEng, OFR (Past President), (September 29th, 2011).

d)“Steel: The Backbone of Advanced Economies, Whither Nigeria?”, by Engr. O. Ogunsola, FNSE, (October 18th, 2012).

e)“Renewable Energy Technologies for Sustainable Development In Nigeria”, by Prof A.S. Sambo, FNSE, FAS, FAEng, OON, (March 20th, 2014).

f)“Serendipity To Production - Developing A National Knowledge Base.”, by Engr. Prof. Oritsegbemi Ola Omatete, FNSChE, FAEng, (May 21st, 2014).

g)“Invention To Production: An Engine For Sustainable National Development”, by Engr. Dr. M. S. Haruna, FNSE, (May 21st, 2014).

  1. Colloquium

a)Colloquium on “Engineering Challenges in the Development of the ICT Sector” by Engr. Ernest Ndukwe, FAEng, OFR, Engr. AbiodunAdeoye, Engr. Charles A. Joseph and Engr. V. I. Maduka, FNSE, FAEng, OFR, (September 23rd, 2003).

b)Colloquium on “Impact of Telecommunication on the Nigerian Energy Sector”: Challenges and Opportunities”, (2004).

c)Colloquium on “Wireless Technology to 3G”, by Dr. OkechukwuUgweje, (August 13th, 2009).

  1. Workshop

a)Workshop on “Choice of Technology Policies: Example of the choice of GSM Communications System” (May 11th, 2000).

  1. Seminar

a)Seminar on “Engineering and Technology Development in Nigeria: New Directions in Engineering Evolution for the 21st Century”, (2004).

  1. Report

a)“Power Report”, by the Committee on Power, (July 2009)

  1. Technical Visit

a)“The Lagos Rail Mass Transit Projects”, by DrDayoMobereola, MD/CEO, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), (2012).

  1. Academy Lectures

a)“Progress without Development: Peculiar Case of Nigeria”, by Emeritus Professor I. O. Oladapo, FAEng, FAS, NNOM, (Past President), (April 15th, 2004).

b)“Time: A Factor of Production”, by Engr. A.O. Faluyi, FAEng, (Past President), (March 16th, 2006)

c)“Empowerment of Nigerian Engineers through the National Content Agenda”, by Engr. FunshoKupolokun, FAEng, (May 10th, 2007).

d)“Nigeria in 20:2020: Vision, Voodoo, Science Vision” by Engr. V. I. Maduka, FAEng, OFR, (July 9th, 2008)

e)“The Nigerian Petroleum Refineries: History, Problems & Possible Solutions”, by Engr. Alex O. Ogedegbe, FNSChE, FAEng, (June 11th, 2009).

f)10th Anniversary Lecture titled “Nigerian Vision 20:2020 and Beyond: Imperative of Science, Engineering and Technology” by Engr. Prof. BanjiOyelaran-Oyeyinka, FNSChE, FAEng, (September 4th, 2009).

g)“Energy Generation from Waste” by Prof. Mohammed Tarherzadeh, (April 22nd, 2010).

h)“The Push for National Renaissance: What has Space Technology got to do with it?”, by Emeritus Professor V.O.S. Olunloyo, FAEng, FAS, NNOM, (October 27th, 2010).

i)“Accelerating the End of African Dependence and Fragmentation; Science, Engineering and Technology for Building the Learning, Integrated, Competent and Innovative African National Economy”, by Prof. MammoMuchie, D.Phil, (June 14th, 2011).

j)Academy Technology Dinner Lecture titled “Telecommunications Technology & Infrastructure: The Pivot of National Economic Advancement”, by Mr. Bashir Patel, (June 20th, 2012).

k)“Management of Science, Technology and Innovation: Change and Effectiveness”, by Emeritus Professor S.A. Sanni, FNSChE, FAEng, (Past President), (June 21st, 2012).

l)“Engineering Opportunities and Challenges related to producing a broad range of Polymer Products from Oil and Gas”, by Vilas Research Professor Emeritus W. Harmon Ray, (June 21st, 2013).

m)Academy Technology Dinner Lecture titled “The Emerging Landscape for Broadband Services”, by Engr. (Ms.) FunkeOpeke, (June 18th, 2014).

n)“Interdisciplinarity: Implications for Complex Problem Solving”, by Emeritus Professor Alfred AkpovetaSusu, FAEng, FAS, NNOM, (June 19th, 2014)

  1. Public Lectures
  1. “Before Our Very Eyes: Developments in Nanotechnology”, by Professor TayoAkinwande, (April 5th, 2007).
  2. “The Gulf of Guinea as a Strategic Asset for National Development”, by Mr. Vance B. Querio, P.E, (May 15th, 2007).
  3. “Transportation System in a Mega City: A Case Study of Lagos State”, by Mr. George Kaulbeck, (May 20th, 2009).
  4. “The Poverty, Food Security and Technology Nexus in Nigerian Development” (A Case for Raw Materials Development and Value Addition), by Prof. P.O. Ngoddy, FAEng, FAS, (September 20th, 2012)
  5. “Leveraging the Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation System in Nigeria for Sustainable Development”, by Engr. Dr. U. B. Bindir, FAEng, (April 24th, 2013)
  6. “Local Sourcing of Raw Materials for Industrial Growth and Development in Nigeria”, by Engr. Prof. A.P. Onwualu, FAEng, FAS, (September 27th, 2013).
  1. Scientific Information
  1. Consensus Studies
  2. Research Activities
  1. The Academy maintains good relationship with government parastatals and agencies under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology. It reviews proposals and evaluates research and intervention programmes as a service to governments and other third parties.In this respect, the Academy has been called upon, and given opinion on matters involving quality and standard of some products in the country.It has also constituted committees of expert to provide opinion on activities of some research centers in the country.It has started awarding Travel Fellowship Grant to fresh Ph.D holders in Faculties and Colleges of Engineering and Technology in the country to go abroad to acquire research and teaching experience. It has also started to support engineering graduate students whose papers have been accepted to attend learned international conferences, with travel grants.

The Academy plans to establish a platform for Academia-Industry-Interaction. This is to be established by taking advantage of the existence of members of the Academia and Industry in the Academy. (The details are being worked out).

  1. Interaction with other national Academies in Nigeria and Abroad

a)The Academy has good working relationships with the other national Academies of Nigeria

b)The Academy also plans to maintain good relationships with the national Academies of other nations. For example the Academy is currently discussing an activity with the National Academy of Engineering of the United States of America to be hosted in Nigeria.

  1. National Engineering Bodies

The Academy has good working relationship with Engineering bodies such as

  • The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE)
  • The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).
  • The Association of Consulting Engineering in Nigeria (ACEN).

OFFICE ADDRESS:

Chemical Engineering Department Complex, University of Lagos, P. M. B. 1028, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria.

E-mail:

Web Site:

Phone:+234 802 387 4151, +234 817 903 0589

Presidents:Prof I .O. Oladapo, FAEng, FAS, NNOM, OON (2000-2002)

Engr. A.O. Faluyi, FAEng (2002-2004)

Engr. V. I. Maduka, FAEng, OFR (2004-2006)

Prof. V. O. S. Olunloyo, FAEng, FAS, NNOM (2006-2008)

Prof. S. A. Sanni, FAEng (2008-2010)

Dr. E. A. Amana, FAEng, OON (2010-2012)

Prof. A. F. Ogunye, FAEng (2012-2014)

Prof. R. I. Salawu, FAEng, FAS (2014 -----)

1