Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers (NIStructE) has called for wider adoption of digital technologies, stricter enforcement of building regulations and improved professional standards to strengthen Nigeria’s infrastructure and prevent structural failures.
They made the call at the 2026 Conference and 39th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers (NIStructE), held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Oyo State.
The conference, themed “Re-engineering Structural Practice for a Resilient, Digital and Sustainable Infrastructure in Nigeria,” brought together engineering professionals, regulators, academics and other stakeholders to examine emerging technologies, climate resilience and the future of structural engineering practice.
In his keynote address, a past president of NIStructE, Oreoluwa Fadayomi,an engineer said Nigeria needed to move beyond traditional engineering practices and embrace digital technologies to improve the safety, efficiency and sustainability of its infrastructure.
Fadayomi, who spoke on “Re-engineering Structural Practice for a Resilient, Digital and Sustainable Infrastructure in Nigeria,” said artificial intelligence can support engineering analysis and design optimisation, but it cannot replace the professional judgement and accountability of qualified engineers.
“An algorithm may generate an engineering answer, but only a competent engineer can accept professional responsibility for that answer,” he said.
Fadayomi said the country could not build the infrastructure of the future using only the practices and institutional arrangements of the past.
He explained that digital transformation was changing how structures were designed, constructed, monitored and maintained, adding that structural engineers needed to develop competencies in both structural mechanics and digital technologies.
Fadayomi also called for clear professional standards, consistent enforcement by regulatory authorities and government procurement policies that prioritise engineering competence, particularly where public safety is concerned.
He urged the government to support the development and use of Nigerian engineering data, strengthen infrastructure asset management and encourage the responsible adoption of digital tools without allowing them to undermine professional accountability.
The past president further stressed the need to incorporate resilience and sustainability into structural engineering decisions, noting that infrastructure must be designed to withstand changing environmental conditions and deliver long-term value.
He said the use of digital twins and structural monitoring systems could help engineers assess the condition of bridges, buildings and other infrastructure beyond the construction stage.
In his welcome address, the President of NIStructE, Taiwo Elegba, said the conference provided an opportunity for practitioners to evaluate existing practices, address professional challenges and develop solutions capable of bringing Nigerian structural engineering closer to global standards
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Elegba said the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, including floods, severe storms and coastal erosion, had reinforced the need for durable and climate-resilient infrastructure.
He identified sustainability as both an environmental and engineering responsibility, urging practitioners to reduce the carbon footprint of construction, optimise material use and improve the durability of structures.
The NIStructE president also emphasised the importance of collaboration between the institution, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and state governments in enforcing building standards and promoting public safety.
He said the institution remained committed to advancing structural engineering excellence and ensuring that structures across the country met the required safety and professional standards.
“The safety of our built environment rests firmly on our shoulders,” Elegba said, urging participants to use the conference to develop practical solutions that would improve structural engineering practice in Nigeria.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the 2026 Annual Conference Planning Committee, Nuruddeen Muhammad Musa, professor a d an engineer said the technical programme was designed to address the changing demands of the profession and the opportunities presented by emerging technologies.
Musa listed the focus areas as digital transformation through building information modelling, computational design and automation; climate resilience and adaptive structural systems; low-carbon materials and sustainable construction technologies; and AI-assisted structural analysis and design optimisation.
Others, he said, included digital twins and smart infrastructure monitoring, automation in detailing, fabrication and construction, as well as the ethical and professional implications of artificial intelligence in engineering.
He added that the programme also featured a panel discussion on the challenges facing Nigerian structural engineers, with emphasis on regulation, construction quality, professional recognition and capacity development.
Musa said the discussions were expected to produce practical recommendations for strengthening the profession and improving its capacity to respond to emerging infrastructure needs.
Earlier in the event, the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Ali Alimasuya Rabiu,an engineer represented by Olayinka Alli, an engineer called for stricter enforcement of building regulations and greater accountability among engineering professionals to safeguard lives and property.
He stressed the need for structural engineers to ensure that buildings were properly designed, constructed, inspected and maintained in line with established standards, warning that poor professional practices and the use of unqualified practitioners could undermine public safety.
The conference also provided a platform for graduate and student members to engage with experienced practitioners, explore emerging areas of structural engineering and contribute to discussions on the future of the profession.
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