By Isqil Najim
Today, January 20 2024, The federal Capital Territory, Abuja receives visitors from around the country and Africa; all of whom came with singular mission.
Since 1986, silent battle commenced within engineering family where a group of determined and courageous female engineers sought more involvements, equal opportunities and merit in their quest for career fulfilment. Precisely 64 years after the founding of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE and 43 years after the movement began, the dream of first president of the apex engineering body in Nigeria, Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE has materialised.
And the engineers rolled out the drum to celebrate victory. It was a battle collectively fought and a victory recorded by both men and women in engineering.
Indeed, before today, the Society has gradually integrated and accommodated women in engineering in all its activities. At Branch level, it had recorded many firsts with women leading the pack. Branches like ilorin, Ikeja, Auchi Lagos, Enugu Aguata, Kaduna, Ota Port Harcourt etc have produced female engineer as Chairman. At Division level, women had also recorded first at national level. The like of Engr Aishatu Umar (Civil), Engr Funmilade Akingbagbohun (Mechanical), Engr Chinyere Igwegbe (Water) had blasted the trail. But the leadership at the highest level remain elusive.
The amazon of the movement which is now known as Association of Professional Women Engineers in Nigeria, APWEN, Engr Olufunmbi Maduka led in many ways. She became the first and only female to head the Nigerian Academy of Engineering. She was its first female Fellow. Maduka was the First Registered female Engineer in Nigeria. Others like Engr Mayen Adetiba who also advanced the right of female engineers at highest level went on to be the First female President of ACEN. Engr. Chief Mayen Modupeola Adetiba, who is also the First female Engineer from South South Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria, on her part was so consistent champion for Women leadership of NSE that she returned to challenge for Women aspiration, many years after serving as First Vice President of the Society. This article will be large if I were to list the names of female engineers who put in strong actions toward making this history happen.
Yet, it was not due to lack of ambition or shortage of trying. Through APWEN and independently, women in engineering has distinguished themselves as force to be reckon with in the profession. They have consistently champion STEM based advocacy to drive more women into engineering while also encouraging female engineering graduates to practice. APWEN members have held top positions in multiple fields within academic and engineering practices, breaking the glass ceiling in the process. They have produced female professors in engineering, Managing Directors, Head of Service, CEOs in Public Sector and many of them are top leaders in engineering entrepreneurship.
It is also worth noting the roles of male engineers in this achievement. The group of male engineers who relentlessly supported their female counterpart in the quest to break the Glass Ceiling. It used to be a tiny group but the number grows through the years as more began to recognise the need to embrace diversity and back the women without sacrificing merit. NSE itself led by integrating the APWEN, which was originally a Pressure group, into its Division. But a group, the late APWEN President Funmilola Ojelade, described to me as “APMEN” consistently maintained their unwavering supports of the women aspirations and their numerous programmes.
Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntala is not new to history, she was the first female chairman of NSE Ikeja Branch where she proved her mettle and ability to deliver as a leader. Under her tenure, her administrative prowess shone brilliantly and she delivered on many fronts. Not just in Programmes but also drived greater energy into realisation of the permanent secretariat for the Branch among other achievements. She was a Peacemaker and master negotiator. Her People’s skill endeared her to her colleagues who are often delighted to hear her speak passionately about connection between Engineering skills and Soft Skills.
She’d paid her due in the profession as a member of the society since 1996 and a Fellow since 2010. During the period, she served in various capacities, including as Chairman of the Ikeja branch between 2010 and 2011, National Exco member in 2012 and 2013, Vice President in 2014, 2015, and 2016, and Deputy President from 21 December 2021.
Oguntala symbolises a rebirth of an association that is known to be Conservative and male dominated. She symbolises hope millions of young people both males and females who believe in striving for their dream. She symbolises the expectations of young women in engineering and STEM who look forward work hard to be competitive in their chosen specialisation and rise to the top of their career against odds. She symbolises the victory of many women in engineering who have mounted the saddle to fight for women aspiration with the engineering profession. From Engr Olu Maduka the fire registered engineer, and Engr. Mrs. Grace Chijimma Ezema the first female Graduate engineer to this generation, various women have mounted the stage in quest to out a woman in the highest position in Engineering. Oguntala also symbolises unity, determination and empathy of men in engineering who rally around to give women a chance to lead the 64 year old organisation. And most especially, if you are parent who has girl child, whose aspiration is to become an engineer, Oguntala is a testament that your daughter can reach any height she dream for herself.
Indeed, NSE, itself was a product of agitation. Agitation against professional slavery, inequality meted out by the White Colonial masters against Black engineers in their own country. In those days, the skin colour decided who lead the project and occupied top positions until a group of young engineers numbering 34 decided to challenge the status quo. They launched the association In London, right in the heart of Colonial enclave. This was before Nigeria gained her independence from the British. This was a bold action by the Nigerian engineers. Since then the organisation have grown with more achievements that are too numerous to count. NSE was, for example, responsible for the formation of COREN which was born due to sustained agitation of the engineers.
By this swearing-in of first female President, NSE now joined the rank of other professional bodies that has produced women as their leader. Of most recent is the Nigerian Academy of Science which had produced Prof. Ekanem Braide as its first female president. Others are Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Nigerian Medical Association which produced Dr Tinuola Abiola-Oshodi, The Nigeria Institute Of Quantity surveyors has produced Mrs Mercy Torkwase Iyortyer while the Nigerian Bar Association has produced Dame Priscilla Olabori Kuye as President.
The List of men who have led the Society since inception are: Engr. Chief G. O. Aiwerioba, FNSE- 1958, Engr. Adeniyi Williams, FNSE – 1959-1962, Engr. S.O. Williams, FNSE – 1963-1964, Engr. J.C. Egbuna, FNSE – 1965-1967, Engr. Chief S. O. Fadahunsi, FNSE – 1968-1969, Engr. Obi Obembe, FNSE – 1970-1971, Engr. Dr. S. O. Meshida, FNSE -1972-1973, Engr. C. S. O. Akande, FNSE – 1974-1975, Engr. ‘Teju Oyeleye, FNSE – 1976-1977, Engr. I. Igiehon, FNSE -1978-1979, Engr. O. Olugbekan, FNSE 1980-1981, Engr. Rev. P.B. Oyebolu, FNSE 1982-1983, Engr. M. N. A. Manafa, FNSE 1984, Engr. A. O. Faluyi, FNSE 1985-1986, Engr. Ife Akintunde, FNSE 1987-1988, Engineer Ibrahim Khaleel Inuwa, FNSE 1989-1990, Engr. Dr. F. A. Shonubi, FNSE 1991-1992, Engr. V. I. Maduka, FNSE 1993-1994, Engr. Dr. O. Ajayi, FNSE 1995, Engr. Dr. E. J. S. Uujamhan, FNSE 1996-1997, Engr. C. A. Mbanefo, FNSE 1998-1999, Engr. H.A. Gumel, FNSE 2000-2001, Engr. F.A. Somolu, FNSE 2002-2003, Engr. M. Bulama, FNSE 2004-2005, Engr. E. M. Ezeh, FNSE 2006-2007, Engr. K. A. Ali, FNSE 2008-2009, Engr. O. A. Ajibola, FNSE 2010-2011, Engr. Mustafa B. Shehu, FNSE 2012-2013, Engr. Ademola I. Olorunfemi, FNSE 2014-2015,Engr. Otis Anyaeji, FNSE, FAEng 2016-2017, Engr. Adekunle Mokuolu, FNSE 2018-2019, Engr. Babagana Mohammed, FNSE 2020-2021, Engr. Tasiu Sa’ad Gidari-Wudli, FNSE- 2022-2023…
Oguntala is a graduate of Chemical Engineering from the University of Benin (1981-1986), is the chief executive officer (CEO) Bamsat Nigeria Limited, a company she founded in In 1992, which has experienced significant growth and diversification into areas such as environmental consultancy, oil and gas services, and fire/safety. Before starting her company, she worked as a Youth Corper at North Brewery Limited, Kano where she served as an operator and assistant process supervisor. Subsequently, she joined Afro International Enterprises Ltd, Matori Lagos, in 1988 as a Chemical Sales executive, steadily ascending to the role of Marketing Manager.
As the 34th and first female president of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in its 65-year history, Oguntala stated, “The journey to this office for me has been fueled by a quest to serve with a clear purpose, inspired by the unwavering support I have enjoyed from members of the association and powered by the strong conviction that service is a continuous journey, not a destination.
“We look forward to this year as one that bears testament to our shared commitment to engineering excellence, free from biases or encumbrances. Consequently, I dutifully beckon everyone to join hands with us as we commence the work of building formidable layers on the strong foundation already laid. It is a new dawn, and our time starts now.”
Popularly called Erelu of Engineering, she is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE), Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers (FNSChE), Nigerian Institution of Environmental Engineers (FNIEE), and the Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC).
She is a member of the Association of Professional Women Engineers in Nigeria (APWEN). Beyond accolades and titles, Oguntala wears multiple hats, serving as a group executive director at Kenol Nigeria Limited, a Board member at BlackHouse media, among other roles.
Now that dream has been fulfilled, I wish her wisdom and strength as she pilot the affairs of this organisation in the next two years. And most importantly, I hope the Engineers see this rebirth as a sign that there are more works ahead: to remove all sorts of barriers and obstacles impeding against aspirations of every qualified person, either due to gender, age, disability, social and academic factors as they deploy intellectual resources toward national development.
Isqil Najim Is a mechanical engineer. He writes from Lagos. @isqilnajim