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About EFN

Nigerian engineers in the UK, together since 2004.

The Engineering Forum of Nigerians (UK) is where UK-based engineers of Nigerian heritage meet, share what they know and work to influence the development of engineering in Nigeria. Here is how we began, what we do and where we are heading.

Become a member Read our story
Around twenty delegates in business dress line up for a group photograph in front of a projection screen in a bright conference room.
Fig. 1 — Delegates at EFN’s 11th Annual Spring Event, London, June 2014.

Our story · 2004

Born in London, backed by the High Commissioner.

EFN was formed in 2004 as the premier professional association in the UK for engineering professionals of Nigerian descent, and for others with a demonstrable interest in the development of engineering as a profession in Nigeria.

From the outset the Forum had the encouragement and support of the Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK at the time, Dr Christopher Kolade CON.

Our founding members were engineering practitioners; the academic community of researchers, lecturers and students; and allied built-environment and business professionals. That mix of practice, research and business still shapes the Forum, and our student, associate and full membership categories.

Compare membership categories

Founding record

Sheet 01 · 2004
Established
2004, London
Encouraged by
Dr Christopher Kolade CON, then Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK
Founding members
  • Engineering practitioners
  • Researchers, lecturers and students
  • Allied built-environment and business professionals
Open to
UK-based engineers of Nigerian descent, and anyone with a demonstrable interest in engineering in Nigeria

Milestones

22 years, drawn to scale.

Each tick on the rule is one year. The milestones below are moments from our record, from our founding to our latest conference.

  1. EFN holds its inaugural event

    The Forum’s first public event, on 14 February 2004 at Imperial College London, looked at engineering and the challenges of development in Nigeria. From the start EFN had the support of the then Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK, Dr Christopher Kolade CON.

  2. The High Commissioner opens our second Spring Event

    Over 100 engineers heard Dr Christopher Kolade open our second Spring Event, “Engineering Opportunities and Professional Development”, on 16 April 2005.

  3. Student engineering challenge launched in Lagos

    The Higher Education Engineering Challenge (HEEC) was launched in Lagos on 19 July 2006. Its first theme asked teams of Nigerian students to engineer solutions for clean water supply.

  4. Registered as a charity

    EFN became registered charity no. 1117948 in England and Wales on 13 February 2007, under a constitution adopted in November 2006.

    See the charity register

  5. Spring Event at the Emirates Stadium

    Our fifth Spring Event, on sustainable power solutions for Nigeria, was held at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium on 14 June 2008.

  6. Olympic stadia, and an award for Malcolm Buchanan

    In January, a seminar at Imperial College on engineering the London 2012 Olympic stadia. In July, our Spring Event on Nigeria’s road infrastructure, where EFN honoured Malcolm Buchanan for his outstanding contribution.

  7. Tenth Spring Event, held in Abuja

    Our tenth Spring Event, “Financing Infrastructure Development in Nigeria”, came to Abuja on 27 June 2013: the first time the flagship conference was held in Nigeria.

    See the Abuja album

  8. 11th Spring Event, and apprenticeships

    Our 11th Spring Event looked at low-cost construction materials and methods for the MINT economies, with sessions on value engineering and cost management. In September, a seminar introduced young people to engineering apprenticeships.

    See photos from the day

    Projected title slide reading “EFN 11th Annual Spring Event 2014 – 28th June 2014: Value Engineering as an Effective Tool for Cost Management”.
    Fig. 2 — Title slide, 28 June 2014

  9. Engineering beyond oil

    Our 12th Spring Event, on 27 June 2015, looked at the role of engineering in Nigeria’s non-oil sector and in emerging economies.

  10. Infrastructure Conference

    A day of dialogue on developing the capability to deliver, operate and maintain infrastructure in Nigeria.

    Browse past events

  11. An evening with the engineers

    A black-tie fundraising dinner in Ealing for our engineering careers outreach to schools in the UK and Nigeria, with HE Ambassador George Oguntade as special guest.

  12. Meeting online

    On 17 October 2020, during the pandemic, EFN held an online conference on food security in Nigeria with Agro Business Experts.

  13. Solar & wind farm tour

    Members visit Westmill Wind Farm & Solar Park to see renewable generation in operation.

    Browse past events

  14. Sizewell B and the energy transition

    A technical tour of Sizewell B nuclear power station, followed by our conference on renewable energy and the development prospects for Nigeria.

    Read about the 2022 conference

    Flyer for the EFN Annual Infrastructure Conference 2022, “Renewable Energy and the Development Prospects for Nigeria”, London, Saturday 15 October 2022.
    Fig. 3 — Conference flyer, October 2022

  15. Careers seminars, now on YouTube

    Two seminars, on coming to work in the UK and on remote engineering and tech jobs, were recorded and shared on our new YouTube channel.

    Watch on YouTube

  16. The next entry is yours

    22 years on, the Forum is still doing what it was founded to do: connecting engineers in the UK with the development of engineering in Nigeria. Come to an event, or join us and help shape what goes on this line next.

    See upcoming events Become a member

What we do

Our flagship: the annual Spring Event.

An international conference that brings together the people behind engineered systems and facilities, from the first plan to everyday use.

Who it brings together

  1. 01 Planning
  2. 02 Research & development
  3. 03 Design
  4. 04 Implementation
  5. 05 Financing
  6. 06 Use
A panel of five speakers seated in front of floor-to-ceiling windows, beside an EFN banner.
Fig. 4 — Panel session, 11th Annual Spring Event, London, June 2014.

Focused on the industries that add value to Nigeria’s economy

Our events tackle the issues that matter to the development of Nigeria’s key industries and sectors. They are a platform for:

  • Initiatives that promote job creation
  • Capacity building
  • Strategic advice on policies to attract foreign investment into Nigeria

Since 2004 we have also run networking events, recruitment seminars and exhibitions featuring Nigerian and international professional bodies and organisations.

See our events Photos from the Spring Event

Looking ahead

Closing the gap between UK expertise and Nigerian talent.

Nigeria has a wealth of young engineers eager to train to international standards. The UK has the technology, methods and experience. EFN provides the bridge.

In the UK

Forward-thinking engineers, developers, investors and authorities

With access to developing technology and innovation.

In Nigeria

A wealth of young engineers eager to train and develop

To international standards of delivery, research and application.

Fig. 5 — The gap EFN exists to close.

  1. 01

    Engage

    We keep working with forward-thinking engineers, developers, investors and authorities.

  2. 02

    Equip

    We help engineers exploit developing technology and innovation, and extend new methods back to Nigeria.

  3. 03

    Connect

    We create new ways to engage engineers in the UK and in Nigeria, and open career and business opportunities.

An open society

EFN is an open society. We encourage opinion, suggestions, topical debate and action.

Have a view on engineering in Nigeria, a topic for a future event or an idea for the Forum? We want to hear it.

Four ways to take part

Keep exploring

More about the Forum.

What we exist to do, who runs EFN, and the organisations we work alongside.

  • Sheet 02 / 04

    Aims & objectives

    Three charitable aims, a five-point mission and one primary objective.

  • Sheet 03 / 04

    Our people

    Meet the Executive Council and find the right person to contact.

  • Sheet 04 / 04

    Partners

    NSE, COREN and the organisations that support our work.

Get involved

Help us build the bridge.

Whether you design power stations, study engineering or run an organisation that believes in Nigeria’s future, there is a place for you in EFN.

  • Engineers & students

    Become a member

    Join a network of UK-based engineers, and open your route to NSE and COREN registration.

    Join EFN

  • Organisations

    Partner with EFN

    Sponsor a conference, host a site visit or bring your expertise to our members.

    Partner with us

  • Supporters

    Support our work

    Help fund mentoring for young engineers and knowledge-sharing between the UK and Nigeria.

    Support EFN