By Isqil Najim
Veteran Engineer, Dr. Tunde Olatunji, Honored for Pioneering Role in Nigerian Engineering
Nigerian engineers have been blessed with many leaders. While some of them went on to lead at National level, others continue to distinguish themselves in their positions and play pivotal roles which are invaluable to the growth of the profession. Classic role models and veteran engineers of high professional integrity and like ducks, they are calm on the surface, but beneath the water, they work furiously and purposely to achieve progress and make lasting impact.
Among such leaders is Engr Dr Tunde Olatunji; A Former National Chairman of Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers, the former Director of Professional Development Department of Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE and a former Chairman of Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE Ikeja Branch. A man with hands in academic, and active professional practices.
Those of us who have worked with him and those who had the privileged of being his proteges, attest to many of his stellar qualities which make him a formidable professional in his field. We learned the value of calmness and focus from him. When Dr Olatunji believes in you, he will wait and be patience with you. And when you deliver, he not only commend but also support you and ensuring you get better.
Born on July 10, 1954 in Ebute Metta, Lagos State, Engr Dr. Olatunji hails from Abeokuta, Ogun State. He attended Mushin District Council School, Lagos, Livingstone Academy and Eko Boys` High School, Lagos where he passed his secondary school certificate with Distinction in 1973.
He then proceeded to the University of Benin, Benin City, where he obtained a First Class Honours degree in Civil Engineering in 1979, and emerged as the best graduating student that year. Dr. Olatunji worked briefly with Messrs L.A.O. Banjoko & Co. Ltd., Ibadan as a trainee Civil Engineer and Civ-Struct Associates, Ibadan as a NYSC Civil/Structural Engineer in 1979-1980.
The Young. Olatunji proceeded to Canada for his postgraduate studies at The University of Alberta in Edmonton after he bagged at scholarship to pursue his Masters and Doctorate in Civil Engineering at University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He obtained M.Sc degree (1983) and also Ph.D (1986) in Civil Engineering at the University of Alberta bagging Distinction in the process.
Dr. Olatunji’s career span diverse sector in Academic, and active professional practices both within and outside Nigeria. he has been actively involved in teaching, research, consultancy and construction works. He worked as Training/Research Assistant, University of Alberta, Edmonton; Lecturer in many Higher Institutions, including University of Ilorin, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, and as Principal Lecturer at Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu.
He also served as the Project Coordinator for Francis Bruce Ltd. for the construction of the buildings and sports complex of the Nigerian Embassy, Equatorial Guinea, 1990-1992, General Manager, A.C. Bob Manuel Ltd. Port Harcourt between 1993-1995 Managing Partner, Cypress Konsult, Lagos, General M , INCUI Ltd, Port Harcourt, Alternate head, Audit team of the Nigerian Society of Engineers on the Performance of OMPADEC Contractors in Rivers State. Project Director LAMATA Routine Maintenance Contract for Lagos State Government, Amana Consortium: Project Manager NDDC Regional Master Plan (Transport Sector) in the nine (9) Niger Delta States (2001 to 2003); Tender Appraisal for Road Construction Projects of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA at Amana Consortium, 2001 to 2003; Shell Petroleum Development Company; Consultant for the survey, review and rehabilitation design of educational and health facilities in the oil producing communities of Bayelsa State, Project Coordinator on Lokoja Water Supply Expansion, Kogi State,,etc,
In leadership and services to the Professional bodies; Dr. Olatunji has left indelible marks through participating in various activities of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE. he has the honour of holding positions and serving NSE Branches in Lagos to Kwara, to Abuja and Rivers State, he has been a faithful and loyal servant of Engineering and discharged his duties meritoriously.
Dr. Olatunji served the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE National headquarters, Abuja as its Director, Professional Development between 2009-2013 where he was saddled withe task of developing and managing training and career development of Engineers. During the period he also served as Ag. Executive Secretary (ES), whenever the substantive ES was not on seat. He discharged himself most creditably in all his assignments.
Through the years, he has served as Member, Professional Interview for Membership of Nigerian Society of Engineers, Port Harcourt centre – Sept 1997 to 1999; Secretary, Building Committee of Port Harcourt Branch of Nigerian Society of Engineers, 1997; General Secretary, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Port Harcourt Branch – 1998 to 1999. The Branch was honoured as a Presidential Merit Award winner for the first time in 25 years in 1998; and commissioned its own Secretariat (first in the country) in 1999.
Dr Olatunji also served as member, Technical Committee, Nigerian Society of Engineers, 2000-2001, Member, Failure Analysis, Code and Ethics Committee, Nigerian Society of Engineers, 2000, Chairman, Investigation & Failure Analysis Committee, Nigerian Society of Engineers, 2001, 2002, Coordinator, Civil Division activities of the Nigerian Society of Engineers in Port Harcourt, 1998 – 1999, Reviewer, technical papers for publication in Journals of the Nigerian Society of Engineers , Representative of NSE PREMS on the review panel on environmental impact assessment of Mobil Nigeria Unlimited dredging works in the NLNG project, Member, Professional interview for Membership of Nigerian Society of Engineers, Port Harcourt center, September 1997-1999, Secretary, Building Committee of Port Harcourt Branch of Nigeria Society of Engineers , 1997
He also served as the General Secretary, Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Port Harcourt Branch, 1998 and within which years the Branch was honoured as a Presidential Merit Award winner for the first time in 25 years in 1998. The Branch commissioned its own Secretariat (first in the country) in 1999; and has remained one of the best Branches of NSE since 1998.
At Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers, NICE, he holds the honour of being the Foundation General Secretary, 2002 and then substantive First Secretary General, 2004. He also made another first by being the First Executive Secretary if the Institution in 2005. Other posts he held are Vice President, 2006, Deputy National Chairman, 2007 and later National Chairman.
His Service to NICE, Coordinator, Civil Division activities of the Nigeria Society of Engineers, Port Harcourt, 1999; General Secretary, Civil Engineering Division, the Nigeria Society of Engineers, Lagos,. The Division won the
8. Foundation EXCO Member and first Executive Secretary, Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers 2001-2007.
9. Chairman, Statutory Audit Committee (Elected Member at AGM 2013) – 2014
At NSE Ikeja Branch, he served as the Vice Chairman NSE Ikeja Branch 2006/2007 and later Chairman NSE Ikeja Branch 2007 to present. When the NSE Ikeja Branch was to begin their first Annual Engineering Week, he was the chairman of the organizing committee and played crucial role in laying foundation for the young engineer development programmes at the Branch.
His research and development areas cover broad spectrum of specialties which include; Project Engineering and Management Services in Civil Engineering Works, Maintenance of Buildings, Roads and Bridge Systems, Large Scale testing of timber and plain/reinforced masonry structures, Appropriate Technology applications to local infrastructural construction, Standards Development for local materials, Professional Development in Engineering and Management.
A champion of youth development, Dr. Olatunji has been instrumental in creating platforms for young engineers to thrive. His mentorship and guidance have inspired countless professionals to reach their full potential. Under his leadership, NICE established national student Wing, Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers, Student Affiliate. An organisation that has now present in almost all universities and polytechnics in all Nigeria’s Geopolitical zone, serving as the voice of young Civil Engineers within engineering community. During his tenure as Director of professional Development at NSE, actively supported the formation of Young Engineering Forum of Nigeria YEFON. What is more, his love for young engineers development is immense fostering a pipeline of talent for the future.
As national chairman of NICE, Dr Olatunji set up the national headquarters of the NICE in Lagos at Oshopey Plaza. He created departments within the secretariats. And specifically made profession for Research and Professional development as part of his desire to prioritise Civil engineers career progression.
Under his tenure, NICE because member of World Council of Civil Engineers, WCCE. His tenure was later shorten as he moved to NSE to join president Engr Kashim Ali administration where he served as Director of professional Development. Handling the reign to Engr Amos Omopeloye who sustained and built on teh legacies of NICE.
Dr. Olatunji’s passion, mentorship, vision and ability to sport talent and nurture it, is evident in his role as a major catalyst that led to the creation of this magazine MyEngineers. a platform dedicated to engineering reporting. Through his unwavering support and mentorship, he helped transform the platform into a valuable resource for the engineering community. The story was very simple, Working with Dr Olatunji in 2006, this writer had the accidental fortune of being assigned the role of writing engineering reports. an opportunity he reluctantly grabbed with two hands. .
The Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE) recently organized a special event to celebrate the extraordinary career of Dr. Tunde Olatunji, a distinguished engineer and former National Chairman of NICE. The event served as a platform to launch the T.M. Olatunji Distinguished Annual Lecture Series in recognition of his immense contributions to the engineering profession.
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Dr. T. M. Olatunji has a number of publications in local and international learned journals and scientific reports in the following areas: (i) Large scale testing and computer simulation models in plain and reinforced masonry structures; Large scale testing in Glued-Laminated Timber beam-columns; Quality control tests and analysis for local materials; Civil Engineering code analysis and development
For his academic and professional excellence, Dr Olatunji has won honours almost every sphere he has ventured. Some of them are: Senior Prefect, Eko Boys High School, Lagos, 1973,Best Graduating Student, Faculty of Engineering, University of Benin, 1979, Recipient of Dumez Nig. Ltd. Scholarship Award, 1976 – 1979, Recipient of Federal Government National Merit Awards, 1976 – 1978, Recipient of Harry Simms Memorial Scholarship Award, The University of Alberta, Canada,1984 – 1986, Chairman’s Service award, Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers, 2005, Distinguished Service Award, Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers, NICE Meritorious Service Award, Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE Ikeja Branch, Meritorious Service Award, 50th Anniversary of Nigerian Society of Engineers, 2008, NSE Presidential Award, NICE Distinguished Service Awards 2015, NICE President’s Merit Service Award Winner, 2001, 2003 and many more.
The establishment of the T.M. Olatunji Distinguished Annual Lecture Series is a testament to Dr. Olatunji’s enduring legacy. This prestigious event will serve as a platform for discourse on critical engineering issues and inspire future generations of engineers to follow in his footsteps.
He is a Fellow of Nigerian Society of Engineers, Fellow of Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers and an Active Member of American Society of Civil Engineers. he was instrumental to the signing of partnership and collaboration agreement between the American Society of Science Engineers and Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers.
Dr. Olatunji is an achiever and a very active member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, as well as American Society of Civil Engineers.
As Nigeria navigates the complexities of modern development, the contributions of pioneers like Dr. Tunde Olatunji become increasingly relevant. His unwavering dedication to excellence, coupled with his commitment to mentoring and empowering the next generation, serves as an inspiration to all engineers.
The event celebrating Dr. Olatunji’s achievements was a fitting tribute to a man who has dedicated his life to advancing the engineering profession and shaping the future of Nigeria. His legacy will continue to inspire and guide engineers for generations to come.
Dr. Olatunji is blessed with three children, two of whom are in engineering. His hobbies include reading, traveling and mentoring. He is cited in Who is Who in Civil Engineering in Nigeria, 2016 Edition
