The Nigerian Society of Engineers has called on the federal government to take urgent and decisive measures to address the worsening security situation and the economic hardship confronting Nigerians, particularly the rising cost of petroleum products and the growing wave of abductions affecting teachers, pupils, and ordinary citizens across the country.

NSE President Ali Rabiu made the call at the Society’s 2026 Second Quarter Dinner in Abuja, where 214 distinguished engineers were admitted into the Fellowship cadre. He said petrol was currently selling at an average of N1,350 per litre, placing tremendous pressure on households and businesses, and that many Nigerians could hardly afford transportation to their workplaces as a result.

He described the indiscriminate abduction of teachers, pupils, and other innocent citizens as unacceptable and said it demanded urgent and sustained action from relevant authorities. He challenged the government to prioritize the wellbeing and security of citizens above political considerations, saying a responsible government should place the welfare of its people above re-election calculations.

Rabiu also used the occasion to call for a substantial upward review of the national minimum wage, saying Nigeria possessed the resources and capacity to improve the quality of life of its people if the required political will and commitment were collectively demonstrated. He said the NSE remained committed to supporting government in the pursuit of national development objectives but believed effective collaboration among government, professional bodies, academia, and industry was essential to addressing the country’s multifaceted challenges.