NSE urges govt action on insecurity, inflation crisis

The President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Ali Rabiu, has urged the Federal Government to take urgent and decisive steps to address Nigeria’s escalating security challenges and worsening economic hardship.

A Sunday statement signed by the acting Executive Secretary, NSE, Abdulkadir Aliyu, stated that the NSE president disclosed this while speaking on June 4, 2026, at the Society’s 2026 Second Quarter Dinner, where 214 engineers were admitted into the Fellowship cadre of the NSE. Rabiu expressed concern over rising insecurity and its impact on citizens across the country.

He noted that kidnappings and other criminal activities have continued to threaten lives and livelihoods, calling for stronger government action to reverse the trend.

Rabiu said the Nigerian Society of Engineers remains committed to supporting government at all levels in achieving national development objectives, but stressed the need for greater attention to citizens’ welfare and security.

According to him, “The Nigerian Society of Engineers remains fully committed to supporting government at all levels in the pursuit of national development objectives; we firmly believe that effective collaboration among government, professional bodies, academia, industry and other critical stakeholders is essential for addressing the multifaceted challenges confronting our nation.

“However, at this moment, we must also charge the Federal Government of Nigeria to be more alive to its obligations to the citizenry. While we recognise that elections are drawing near and political campaigns have commenced in earnest, citizens must be safe, healthy and economically empowered for democracy to thrive.

“We are deeply concerned about the rising rate of inflation and the increasing cost of living. Many Nigerians can hardly afford transportation to their places of work due to the soaring cost of petroleum products, with petrol currently selling at an average of about N1,350 per litre. This situation has placed tremendous pressure on households and businesses alike.

“We also decry the growing wave of insecurity that is rapidly spreading across the country. The indiscriminate abduction of teachers, pupils, and other innocent citizens is unacceptable and demands urgent and sustained action by the relevant authorities.”

The NSE president stressed that the primary responsibility of any government is the protection and welfare of its citizens, adding that national well-being should take precedence over political considerations.

“We believe strongly that a responsible government should prioritise the well-being of its citizens above all else, including mundane considerations such as re-election campaigns. The security and welfare of the people must remain the foremost objective of governance,” he stated.

Rabiu also called for improved welfare for Nigerian workers, urging the government to review the national minimum wage in line with current economic realities.

“As a responsible corporate citizen, the Nigerian Society of Engineers joins other well-meaning Nigerians in calling on the government to consider a substantive upward review of the national minimum wage for Nigerian workers. Our nation possesses the resources and capacity to improve the quality of life of its people. We can achieve this if we collectively demonstrate the necessary political will and commitment,” he concluded.