Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, has said infrastructure can only be considered valuable when it improves the quality of life of the people it is designed to serve.
Hamzat, who was represented by the Special Adviser on Infrastructure to the Lagos State Government, Olufemi Daramola, made the remarks on Thursday at the Nigerian Society of Engineers’ (NSE) third quarterly dinner and fellowship conferment ceremony, where 102 engineers were admitted into the fellowship cadre.
The deputy governor said engineering must go beyond the construction of physical structures and focus on solving practical problems affecting society.
“Perhaps one question we should continue to ask ourselves as engineers is: what is engineering ultimately for? Engineering goes beyond the construction of physical infrastructure. It is about solving problems.
“It must make movements easier, make commuters safer, improve productivity, support economic activity, and ultimately improve the quality of life of our people,” he said.
Hamzat explained that the importance of roads, bridges, drainage systems and other infrastructure should be measured by their impact on communities.
He said roads connect people to communities and opportunities, bridges improve connectivity, while drainage systems protect lives, homes and businesses. He added that reliable energy infrastructure was essential for businesses and households.
“The true value of infrastructure lies in its impact on people, communities, and the wider society,” he stated.
The deputy governor noted that Lagos’ rapid population growth and urbanisation had placed significant demands on infrastructure, making long-term planning essential.
He said the state needed to anticipate future demands rather than simply respond to existing challenges, adding that infrastructure development must be innovative, resilient, sustainable and responsive to the needs of residents.
Hamzat said the Lagos State Government, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, continued to pursue infrastructure development across transportation, roads, bridges, drainage, energy, water and other critical sectors to support economic activity and improve connectivity.
He also stressed the need to view infrastructure as an interconnected system rather than a collection of isolated projects.
“For a rapidly growing city such as Lagos, we must therefore think about infrastructure as an interconnected system rather than simply as a collection of individual projects,” he said.
According to him, engineers should play a greater role in planning and policymaking, while also considering sustainability and maintenance throughout the life cycle of infrastructure projects.
He called for increased innovation, greater use of technology, stronger local capacity and the development of solutions that are technically sound, practical, affordable and sustainable.
Hamzat also urged closer collaboration between government and the engineering profession.
Addressing the newly inducted fellows, he urged them to uphold the reputation of the NSE through professional excellence, integrity and service.
“You are now ambassadors of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, and I encourage you to represent the society well through the quality of your professional practice, your conduct, your integrity, and your service to society,” he said.
Meanwhile, NSE President, Ali Rabiu, urged political stakeholders to engage one another with civility and respect ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Rabiu said democratic governance depended on mutual respect, constructive engagement and a shared commitment to the common good.
“As we encourage greater participation by engineers and other professionals in public affairs, I wish to respectfully acknowledge the important role that our political leaders, elected representatives, public officials and other stakeholders play in the development of our country,” he said.
He urged stakeholders in Nigeria’s political and democratic processes to promote understanding, inclusiveness and public discourse focused on issues affecting the lives and wellbeing of Nigerians.
“I, therefore, encourage all stakeholders in our political and democratic processes to continue to engage one another with civility, respect and a spirit of patriotism, even where legitimate differences of opinion exist,” Rabiu stated.
The NSE president also called on institutions involved in the electoral process, including the Independent National Electoral Commission, to uphold the rules and procedures governing their responsibilities.
He said the credibility of democratic institutions depended on public confidence, due process, transparency and respect for the rule of law.
Rabiu reaffirmed the NSE’s commitment to contributing to national discussions and supporting initiatives aimed at promoting good governance, sustainable development and stronger institutions.
The high point of the ceremony was the induction of 102 engineers into the fellowship cadre.
Rabiu charged the new fellows to remain committed to professional codes, standards and ethical principles, noting that the NSE reserved the right to withdraw or revoke fellowship where members were found to have committed breaches warranting such action.
Chairman of the NSE Board of Fellows, Manila Maliki, said the ceremony was an opportunity to recognise excellence, professional distinction and contributions to the engineering profession and national development.
He described fellowship of the NSE as one of the highest professional distinctions attainable within the society, adding that the honour reflected the leadership, expertise, integrity and service demonstrated by the recipients throughout their careers.
