“Safety must not be optional—it must be the foundation of every engineering decision in this country”
“These Are Not Just Accidents” – Sen. Gbenga Daniel Calls for Tougher Engineering Oversight After Tanker Blasts
By Newsheadline247
Senator Gbenga Daniel, representing Ogun East and former governor of Ogun State, has sounded the alarm over Nigeria’s growing number of engineering-related disasters, linking the tragedies—including recurring tanker explosions and building collapses—to regulatory failure and poor enforcement.
Speaking during the 2025 Engineering Week organized by the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Trans Amadi Branch, Senator Daniel described the situation as a “national emergency” that must be met with urgent legislative and institutional reforms.
“We see tankers falling, buildings collapsing, and explosions claiming lives. These are not just accidents, they’re failures of enforcement,” he said during a media chat at the event. “There are no sanctions, no deterrents. People flout regulations and walk away freely. If we are serious about safety, we must empower regulatory bodies to act decisively.”
He called on the National Assembly to collaborate with engineering professionals and stakeholders to craft and pass stronger laws that would empower safety institutions, particularly in critical infrastructure sectors.
The week-long event, themed “Engineering the Future: Innovation, Infrastructure and Sustainability,” brought together a wide array of industry players, including government officials, business leaders, and academics, to discuss the direction of engineering in Nigeria.
A standout moment of the gathering was the recognition of TotalEnergies’ Akpo FPSO facility, which has operated for 16 years without a single lost-time injury (LTI). Senator Daniel lauded the achievement as proof that world-class safety standards are achievable in Nigeria.
“To run complex engineering operations for 16 years without a single LTI is no small feat,” he noted. “This milestone proves that Nigerian engineers, given the right support and environment, can deliver world-class results.”
Engineer Margaret Oguntala, President and Chairman-in-Council of the NSE, echoed the importance of engineering to national development.
“There’s no future without engineering. From our roads to our energy grids, engineers build the backbone of society,” she stated.
Dr. Jonathan Francis, Chairman of the Trans Amadi Branch, highlighted the local innovations showcased during the week, including a drone developed by a University of Lagos student for cleaning high-rise buildings—an invention that could revolutionize urban maintenance.
“We understand our challenges better than anyone else. The solutions must come from within,” he said.
Representing COREN, Engineer Olaolu Ogunduyile spoke on aligning Nigeria’s engineering standards with global practices and revealed ongoing efforts to secure membership in the Washington Accord, which would enable Nigerian engineers to practice internationally.
In a passionate contribution, Engineer Oluseun Faluyi, National Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Safety Engineers, emphasized that safety must be embedded into every stage of engineering—from design to execution.
“This proves that even in challenging environments, safety is possible. And it was Nigerians who delivered this result,” he said, referencing TotalEnergies’ safety milestone.
Senator Daniel closed his remarks with a call for governance anchored on accountability and competence.
“The time to act is now,” he declared. “Safety must not be optional—it must be the foundation of every engineering decision in this country.”
As Nigeria continues to grapple with infrastructure-related tragedies, his remarks underscore the urgency of structural reform in the nation’s engineering space. Read More
