The Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE), Kano Chapter, has elected Asma’u Jaafar Baba as its sixth chairman, making her the first woman to lead the chapter.
Baba was elected during the chapter’s 2026/2027 Executive Committee election held on September 29 at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Works, Kano.
She was sworn in by the immediate past chairman, Usman Hamza Ibrahim, alongside other newly elected executive members who will oversee the chapter’s affairs during the 2026/2027 tenure.
The election was attended by the NIMechE National Chairman, Babagana Modu Tela; Sulaiman Musa; George Iluno; and Alhassan Kawu Sabo, alongside members of the national executive committee.
Others present included the chapter’s Electoral Committee Chairman, Balarabe Inuwa Abdullahi, and
representatives of the NIMechE Students’ Chapter at Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology.
The event also featured the induction of newly registered members and a technical presentation titled “CNG Conversion Process and Benefits” by Ibrahim Abdulhafiz Bello.
In his address, Tela described the annual general meeting and election as an important platform for professional development, leadership transition and national development. He urged members to ensure peaceful and responsible conduct during the electoral process.
“I encourage newly registered corporate members and young professionals to uphold integrity, pursue continuous learning and strengthen mentorship within the engineering profession,” he said.
The technical session examined the economic and safety benefits of converting vehicles to compressed natural gas, highlighting the role engineers could play in developing practical solutions to Nigeria’s industrial and economic challenges.
Following her inauguration, Baba administered the oath of office to the other members of the newly elected executive committee.
The executive committee comprises Mudassir Sunmonu as vice-chairman; Bashar Jibril as general secretary; Ramadan Nura as assistant general secretary; Habibu Abdulqadir as treasurer; and Yusuf Yakubu Yahaya as financial secretary.
Other members are Kamal S. Kabara, technical secretary; Adam Muhammad Yabagi, assistant technical secretary; Muktar Muhammad Zakirai, publicity secretary; Auwal Rabiu Sipikin, ex-officio I; and Usman Hamza Ibrahim, ex-officio II.
In her acceptance speech, Baba thanked God and the members for the confidence reposed in her. She congratulated the other elected officers and stressed that achieving the association’s objectives would require collective effort.
She emphasised teamwork, integrity, respect and accountability in managing the affairs of the chapter.
“My priorities for this tenure include capacity building, professional development, mentoring young engineers, increasing the chapter’s visibility and strengthening collaboration between academia and industry,” she said.
She also outlined plans to engage the Kano State Government, relevant agencies, parastatals and ministries, departments and agencies to promote professionalism in mechanical engineering practice.
Baba’s election marks a milestone for the Kano chapter, while her proposed agenda places professional development, mentorship and stronger engagement with government and industry among the priorities for the new executive committee.