The Association of Professional Women Engineers (APWEN) Lagos Chapter celebrated World Engineering Day 2026 with a dynamic programme focused on sustainability, innovation, and cost-effectiveness in engineering practice.
The event, themed “Smart Engineering for a Sustainable Future Through Innovation and Digitisation”, brought together distinguished engineers, past leaders, and industry stakeholders for an interactive series and a structured debate on “Sustainability vs Cost.”
Engr. Lillian Uzodiagu, MNSE, moderated the proceedings, while Engr. Chinyere Igwegbe, FNSE, President of APWEN, delivered the Opening Charge, represented by the Vice President, Engr. Laolu Aisida, FNSE. She emphasised the critical role of engineering in building resilient societies and advancing national development.
The President noted that the APWEN Lagos Chapter’s celebration of World Engineering Day 2026 served as a reminder of the critical role of engineering in building a sustainable future for Nigeria.
She further stated that the association’s commitment to promoting engineering solutions that balance affordability with environmental stewardship is a step in the right direction towards achieving sustainable national growth.
The event also featured the official launch of the Chapter’s quarterly series, Meet the Engineers (ME), and a safety moment by Engr. Precious Osagie, reinforcing the principle that safety remains the bedrock of engineering excellence.
The highlight of the celebration was a three-round debate exploring the perceived tension between cost efficiency and sustainability in engineering projects. Engr. Olumayowa Ayodeji Idowu, FNSE, argued that cost feasibility is essential for achieving sustainability, while Engr. Dr Olayinka Adewumi, MNSE, maintained that sustainability and cost are complementary.
A panel of judges, led by Chief Judge Engr. Temitope Makindipe, FNSE, engaged both speakers on practical implementation strategies and the role of government policy in promoting sustainable infrastructure. Sustainability emerged as the winning perspective by a narrow margin, reflecting global trends toward environmentally conscious engineering.
The Chapter recognised past presidents, vice presidents, and other distinguished leaders for their contributions to national development and the advancement of women in engineering. Certificates of appreciation were presented to the speakers and judges.
Engr. Bosede M. Oyekunle, FNSE, Chairman of APWEN Lagos Chapter, hosted the programme, with planning coordinated by Engr. Eyiwumi Kolawole, MNSE, Chairman of the WED/IWD Planning Committee.
The 2026 World Engineering Day celebration reaffirmed APWEN’s commitment to promoting engineering solutions that balance affordability with environmental stewardship.
The event concluded with a renewed call for engineers to design infrastructure that prioritises lifecycle costs, social impact, and long-term resilience.
The debate highlighted the need for innovative thinking, homegrown solutions, and adaptive technologies to deliver infrastructure that is both affordable and environmentally responsible.
Engr. Laolu Aisida, FNSE, stressed the importance of integrating local content into engineering innovation, while Engr. Dr Olayinka Adewumi, MNSE, advocated for lifecycle costing rather than focusing solely on initial capital expenditure.
The event was attended by representatives from various organisations and educational institutions, who pledged to support and promote sustainable engineering practices.
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