As Nigeria continues to struggle with leadership challenges in the public and private sectors, a call has been made for a leadership style that is digital, innovative and engineering-focused, if the country is to experience a competitive socio-economic growth, unlocking infrastructure projects and be reckoned with in the global world.
Engr. Ayodele Abioye, the Managing Director of BUA Foods Plc, who was the Guest Speaker at the 2024 Business Luncheon / Public Lecture organised by the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Ikeja Branch, held on Friday in Lagos stated this.
Speaking on the topic titled “The Journey of a Business Engineer,An Experience Account From Shop Floor To Top Floor”, Abioye reiterated that engineers make good leaders, and stressed the need for any potential leader to be innovative and go with the dynamism of the digital world.
“If you look at the way Engineers operate, we make a system to suit a design, or we make the design to suit a system. This is what we are known for; being creative and innovative. So, the question is, do engineers make good leaders? The answer is yes.
“The motivation is that an Engineer brings a host of valuable attributes of management and leadership. They have logical thinking, dedication to improvements and attention to details. All these aligned with the demands of leadership.”
The BUA Foods Plc CEO, also disclosed that one out of four performing CEOs have Engineering degrees, because they have analytical thinking, they are problem solvers and give attention to details.
“From statistics gathered, we realised that most CEOs now have engineering degrees rather than MBAs. Actually, records show that one out of every four, performing CEOs have engineering degrees. I’m sure a lot of people don’t know about this statistic.
“What this basically says is that, the more engineers we can get in the name of our peers as leaders, the better we are. Why do Engineers succeed and make great CEOs? It is simply because they have analytical thinking, they are problem solvers and give attention to details,” Abioye explained.
Engr. Femi Adedotun, NSE Ikeja Branch Chairman, earlier in his opening address, said Engineers are trained to manage materials, machines and men apart from being critical thinkers which eventually country through entrepreneurship and innovation. Hence, ‘Engineer should be a good businessman’; thus, the purpose of the topic is to awaken all Engineers to become Engineer Entrepreneurs. should lead to transformation of the
Stating why BUA Foods Plc CEO was chosen as the guest speaker, Adedotun said: “With globalisation of business and uncertain economy, there are plenty of opportunities to evaluate and pursue, which makes the global economy a target – rich environment for technology.
“The choice of the guest speaker is to showcase engineering entrepreneurship by sharing his experience.
“Engr. Abioye stands out, as his career progression depicts business success at all levels which is exemplary, worthy of emulation, celebration, rewarding and recognition.”
Speaking further, Adedotun urged Engineers to start the entrepreneurial journey immediately by applying problem-solving skills and look for a profitable business idea; develop a product; validate their product; write a business plan; secure funding; Launch their business; manage the business, and form right partners and collaborate with people of similar interests.
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