Established with the goal of Bringing Professional Capability, Credibility, and Competence to bear in the Nigerian Electric Power Industry, here is the history of formation of Nigerian institution of Power Engineers.
Table of Contents
Brief History
Institutions Organisational Structure
Major Activities and Achievements of the Institution
BRIEF HISTORY
The Nigerian Institution of Power Engineers was formed in 2009 by qualified Nigerian Registered Power Engineers. At the formative period, the institution was called “Nigerian Electric Power Engineering Professionals”. It desires were to ensuring that Engineers drive the management of all Government Power establishments or MDAs. By 2016 however, the move has matured enough to become a proposed Institution and thus seek affiliation with the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) which was graciously granted in May 12, 2016.
The Membership strength of the Institution thereafter grew astronomically with concomitant establishment of Chapters in most parts of the country. The Institution went ahead to seek formal corporate registration as a legal entity (Body corporate) and on the 12th of March, 2020, the Institution was incorporated under the companies’ Act 1990 with Certificate of Incorporation No. RC1667433. Sequel to the institutions registration, the Institution has held numerous general meetings at National and Chapter levels. The first Annual General Meeting of the institution to conform with the new MEMART is scheduled for July 24th 2020 at Abuja Nigeria.
INSTITUTION’S ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE
An elected Council of Members, chaired by the President, governs the Institutions. Much of it work is delegated to committees and panel of members who report to Council on matter of substance and in doing so contribute to the life and vitality of the institution. Furthermore, because members are extensively involved in external bodies and the academics, the Institution is able to contribute to a wide range of Power Engineering issues. At the same time, Government departments and public bodies regularly consult the institutions as a source of informed, professional opinion on matters relating to Power Engineering infrastructure and practice. A good relationship exists between the Institution and most Government Agencies & MDAs.
Members benefit from an exchange of learned society information and the institution has a network of Chapters across the federation of Nigeria. These Chapters organise technical meetings, seminars and workshops that enable members to keep up to date with their professional knowledge along with social events and visits to Power facilities. In some cities, the institution appoints representatives to act as focal point for various activities.
The Institution is run from its National Secretariat, which is currently located at the National Engineering Centre, Abuja, Nigeria. The Registrar and staff of the Institution are ready to welcome members and deal with any inquiries. The Institution website contains a newsletter section containing information concerning the profession. Topics may cover issues such as current events, legislation, technology, and education. Each Member of the Institution is affiliated with a Chapter of his/her choice. There are presently Forty-Two (42) Chapters established. A Board of Trustee (Board of Directors at CAC) and the Institution’s Council to oversee the performance of the Elected Officials while a Board of Fellows (BoF) scrutinises the particulars of persons to be adjudged fit as experts in the Industry.
The Institution’s established Chapters are: Abuja, Egbin, Minna (+Shiroro), New Bussa (Kainji/Jebba), Sapele, Ibadan, Osogbo, Ilorin, Ajaokuta, Ikeja, Ibadan, Ikot-Abasi, Uyo, Calabar, Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt, Akure, Sokoto, Jos, Enugu, Birnin-Kebbi, Katsina, Maiduguri, Yola, Makurdi, Onitsha, Asaba, Ughelli, Orlu, Owerri, Warri, Aba, Gombe, Oyo, Zaria, Lafia, Ado-Ekiti, Damaturu, Omotosho, Abeokuta, etc. Six (6) of these Chapters have been formally inaugurated while the remaining ones are undergoing the formalities of being inaugurated.
The Institution has begun the new drive to mentoring the upcoming generation through the establishment of Student Unit or Cell. These Cells are Mini-Chapters domesticated at every University in Nigeria as a way of creating industry-academia platform for University Lecturers and their students with industry prevailing information to enhance their skills. The Electric Power Industry is a multi-disciplinary engineering institution. The industry have an engineering practicing membership strength of over Thirty Thousand (30,000) cutting across several engineering disciplines (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Geotechnical, Chemical, Cost Engineering, etc) and of all grades (Fellows, Member, Corporate Firms& Associates). For better appreciation of the geographical spread of the Members of this Institution and their abode of engagement, the existing Nigerian Power Distribution Companies, Power Generation Companies, Transmission Company of Nigeria, Power consulting, Contracting, Regulating, Manufacturing (Meters, Cables, Transformers, etc) and Marketing organisations are all part of this Institution.
MAJOR ACTIVITIES & ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE INSTITUTION
Between 12th May, 2016 and now, the Institution has undertaken numerous activities chief among which are the following:
- Participated in the NSE National Stakeholder Workshop on Nigerian Content in the Power sector at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. November, 2016
- Participated in the NASS organized Stakeholders National Interactive Dialogue/Workshop on the Nigerian Power Sector termed “The Nigerian Power Challenge: A Legislative Intervention”. February, 2017.
- Monthly Power Industry Policy reviews & dialogue session organized by NEXTIER POWER, a Power investment and advisory services firm, where stakeholders converge to brainstorm and articulate expertise advice.
- NIPE website and social media platforms: The institution has a vibrant website (nipe.org.ng) to showcase its numerous activities and hopes to drive stakeholders in the Power sector towards same. We have also opened social media outreach platforms where members presently cross fertilize on technical ideas, information, politics, management and mentorship of Young Engineers in the Power sector. The Institution can be reached on whatsapp, telegram apps, nipepower@gmail.com & info@nipe.org.ng.
- Nigerian Electric Power Industry Content Development Act (Proposed Bill for an Act 2019), Etc: The Institution’s EXCOs have worked with some of its key erudite members to complete the review of a Proposed Nigerian Content Act so as to domesticate same into the Power Sector. The work on this new document has been completed and is undergoing fine-tuning, Stakeholders engagement and submission to the National Assembly. The Institution is also working on several other documents with the intent to the domestication of codes & standards on all power equipment and apparatus. Some of these documents are:
- Review of the EPSR Act 2005 to remove observed abnormalities and conflicts to industry growth.
- Review of the NESI Document, etc
- The Institution held a National Power Stakeholder Workshop. The event held on the 16th of November, 2017 at the National Engineering Centre, Abuja, Nigeria. It was a huge success as all the critical stakeholders in the industry including representatives from the National Assembly were in attendance.
- The Institution is collaborating and partnering with other international Power professional institutions across the world in her bid to get her Member to be internationally recognize as Power Experts through technical exchange programmes and workshops. Some of these institutions are the IEEE Nigerian Section (Power & Energy Society), Institute of Power Engineers (IPE), Canada, etc
- The Institution, as part of its effort to mobilize and entrench itself into the Nigerian fabric has undertaken countless advocacy visits to some of the major stakeholders in the industry to seek their commitment and TRUST on Engineering Professionals for a sustainable Power industry. Chief among these visits were to the Honourable Minister for Power, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power; MD/CEO & CEIF of NEMSA and its Management, MD/CEO of REA its Management, MD/CEO of NDPHC and Management, MD/CEO of AEDC and Management, MD/CEO of TCN and Management, Chairman/CEO of NERC and Management, EVC/CEO of NASENI and Management among others,
- The Institution has held its Maiden International Power Engineering Exhibition and Conference tagged “IPECON 2018”. The event held between the 16th and 20th of September, 2018 at Abuja, Nigeria. It promises to be an annual GATHERING of all Power engineering professionals and Practitioners across Nigeria and the globe. The Second Edition of the event is also held between the 15th and 18th of July, 2019 and the Third Edition is scheduled for June 2020.
- The Institution has formally applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration as a corporate entity and presently awaiting its certification
The Institution is collaborating with the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in her bid to keeping abreast with the available Codes and Standards documents as they relates to Electric Power materials, Apparatus and Equipment.
VITAL INFORMATION ABOUT NIGERIAN INSTITUTION OF POWER ENGINEERS FOR THE ATTENTION OF ALL ENGINEERS