Maiduguri 2026 Gets Major Security Boost with Defence Minister's Keynote Address -

Security preparations for the 2026 International Engineering Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), scheduled to hold in Maiduguri, Borno State, have received a significant boost following the confirmation by the Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd.), that he will personally attend the event and deliver the Keynote Address.

The Minister gave his approval on Monday, 27 July 2026, during a courtesy visit by the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, FNSE, F.ASCE, FAEng, MFR, at the Ministry of Defence in Abuja.

Beyond accepting the invitation to serve as Keynote Speaker, General Musa endorsed the Society’s requests aimed at ensuring a safe, successful and impactful conference. He approved the Ministry’s support for enhanced security arrangements at the conference venue and the facilitation of the active participation of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Military Engineers, Defence institutions, and the Defence Industries Association of Nigeria (DIAN) in both the conference and exhibition.

The NSE President also sought the Ministry’s assistance with logistics coordination, security guidance, and liaison arrangements to ensure the seamless movement and participation of delegates expected from across Nigeria and beyond.

As part of efforts to institutionalise collaboration between the engineering profession and the defence sector, Engr. Rabiu proposed a stronger partnership between the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Ministry of Defence in strategic areas including engineering standards for defence infrastructure, joint research and indigenous technology development, defence industry-academia collaboration, and engineering support for emergency response, post-conflict reconstruction, and national resilience.

He further appealed for the restoration of the Nigerian Society of Engineers’ dedicated participation slot in the Nigerian Defence College Course, noting that such engagement would strengthen Engineers’ appreciation of strategic defence, national security, and civil-military cooperation while promoting greater synergy between the engineering profession and the nation’s security institutions.
Responding, General Musa commended Engr. Rabiu for the remarkable achievements recorded since assuming office describing the Society’s current leadership as purposeful and forward-looking.

The Minister assured the NSE of the Ministry’s full support towards the successful hosting of the 2026 International Engineering Conference and AGM. He acknowledged the indispensable role of Engineers in defence infrastructure, military logistics, combat support systems, technological innovation, and national security, stressing that engineering solutions remain fundamental to the operational effectiveness and modernisation of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

General Musa expressed confidence that a deeper and more structured partnership between the Ministry of Defence and the Nigerian Society of Engineers would further strengthen Nigeria’s indigenous defence capabilities, technological advancement, and national resilience. He also assured the Society that its request for renewed participation in the Nigerian Defence College Course would receive favourable consideration.

Past Presidents, Engr. Kashim Ali, FNSE, FAEng, Engr. Tasiu Gidari-Wudil, FNSE, mni, Exco Members, Engr. Dauda Musa, FNSE and Engr. Dayyabu Tijjani, FNSE, Conference Planning Committee Chairman, Engr. Mohammed Kabir Wanori, FNSE, Alt. Conference Planning Chairman, Engr. Ademola Agoro, FNSE formed the team that paid the courtesy call with the President.