Lagos: The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Ikeja Branch, has graduated 92 young engineers from the 2025 cohort of its Adigun Arewa Mentorship Scheme (NIBAAMS). Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Lagos, the Chairman of the branch, Mrs Nimot Muili, emphasized the scheme’s focus on enhancing employability, professional development, and industry readiness.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the NIBAAMS 2025 graduation ceremony, themed ‘Developing Industry-Ready Engineers for Sustainable Impact’, attracted participants from across the country. Muili highlighted that the six-month programme provided structured mentorship, workplace-readiness training, leadership development, industry exposure, and employability support for participants. The mentorship scheme, revived in 2025, was crafted to equip young engineers with practical skills, career guidance, and professional networks essential for thriving in the profession.
The programme enrolled over 250 young engineers, with 65 mentees and 27 mentors successfully completing the current cohort. Mentees received training in project management, communication, workplace etiquette, safety, and leadership development. The NSE chairman praised the contributions of mentors, committee members, and partners to the programme’s success, urging young engineers to embrace continuous learning and seek mentorship throughout their careers.
Mr Peter Ogunbowale, Chairman of the Resource Portal and Job Desk (RPJD) Committee, stated that the programme was restructured following lessons from the 2022 edition to address gaps in workplace readiness, professional confidence, and industry exposure among young engineers. The branch transformed NIBAAMS into a professionally governed mentorship ecosystem with measurable outcomes through structured mentor-mentee matching, performance evaluation, reporting systems, and digital learning platforms.
The programme engaged 34 mentors and 85 mentees, delivering capacity-building sessions, industrial visits, and employability support. Ogunmola noted that 65 of the 85 enrolled mentees completed the six-month programme, with 27 mentors recognized for effective participation. The focus was on workplace readiness, leadership development, professional branding, and industry exposure, with success measured by participants’ transformation in their lives and careers. Ogunbowale indicated that the programme had improved mentees’ confidence, clarified career goals, and enhanced professional development, with the next cohort set to commence in August 2026.
Mr Olutosin Ogunmola, a Fellow of the NSE, delivered the keynote address, urging young engineers to pursue their ambitions boldly and seize leadership and innovation opportunities. Speaking on the topic, ‘Do Not Ask Permission to Fly; The Wings Are Yours and the Sky Belongs to No One’, Ogunmola described mentorship as crucial for professional growth and leadership development. He highlighted the opportunities for engineers to develop innovative solutions to Nigeria’s infrastructure, energy, and technology challenges, contributing meaningfully to national development.
Ogunmola, who received the best mentor award at the programme, encouraged graduates to embrace lifelong learning, remain adaptable, and use their skills to solve problems and improve society. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that mentees, including Mr Ismail Abdulakeem, who received a consistency and commitment award, shared experiences and benefits gained from the programme. Mentors, including Mr Babajide Ajanaku, also highlighted the initiative’s impact and the value of mentorship in shaping engineering careers. The programme was supported by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and featured awards and certificates presentations to both mentees and mentors.