Yar’Adua Honoured At 76 For Legacy In Engineering And Mentorship

Renowned Nigerian engineer Abubakar Lawal Yar’Adua was celebrated in Abuja as he marked his 76th birthday, with tributes pouring in for his decades-long contributions to the country’s oil and gas sector and engineering development.

The honour came during the inaugural public lecture held in his name by the FCT/Nasarawa Chapter of the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers (NSChE).

Themed “Artificial Intelligence as a Catalyst for Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Productivity in the Digital Age,” the event brought together industry leaders, students, and policymakers to reflect on Yar’Adua’s legacy and the future of engineering in Nigeria.

Yar’Adua, who began his career in 1977 as a founding engineer at the Kaduna Refinery, was later appointed Group Executive Director at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and served on its board. He was credited with championing local content, rejecting the dominance of foreign contractors, and mentoring a generation of Nigerian engineers who now hold leadership positions globally.

Former NNPC executive Alhaji Ibrahim Abbo, who chaired the event, described Yar’Adua as a transformational figure. “He wasn’t just a brilliant engineer; he was a builder of people and systems. He changed the narrative for Nigerian engineers and instilled pride in local expertise,” Abbo said.

Abbo also used the occasion to criticise Nigeria’s leadership culture, lamenting that the country had failed to pass on visionary leadership and had lost its sense of direction.

Yar’Adua, speaking to students at the event, urged young engineers to be curious, respectful, and unrelenting in the pursuit of knowledge. “Ask questions. Don’t allow your lecturers to rest. That’s how you grow,” he said, recalling how he sought answers persistently even during his studies in Europe.

He warned against tribalism and corruption, calling for national unity and ethical leadership to unlock Nigeria’s full industrial potential. “Nigeria has all it takes. What we lack is the right leadership,” he said.

In his keynote address, Engr. Makama Baba Abdullahi discussed the opportunities and challenges posed by artificial intelligence, warning that while AI could boost innovation, it also risks deepening unemployment and reducing critical thinking if not properly managed.

Former NNPC GMD Andrew Yakubu, who joined the event virtually, hailed Yar’Adua as a visionary who “built ladders for others to climb,” saying his impact on the oil sector and engineering education remains unmatched.

The NSChE FCT/Nasarawa Chapter said the annual lecture would continue to celebrate leaders like Yar’Adua who have helped shape Nigeria’s future through technical excellence and human development.