22/05/2026
Achievers University Hosts 6th Inaugural Lecture on Structural Safety, Climate Change
Professor Opeyemi Advocates Probabilistic Engineering and Resilient Infrastructure Design
Engineers and policymakers must embrace uncertainty, climate-responsive infrastructure design, and emerging technologies to safeguard lives and critical infrastructure in a rapidly changing world, Professor David Akinyiwola Opeyemi declared on Wednesday, 20th May, 2026 while delivering the 6th Inaugural Lecture of Achievers University.
The lecture, titled “Bridging Uncertainty: Ensuring Structural Safety Amid Climate and Environmental Change,” was held at the Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed Auditorium before an audience comprising academics, engineers, policymakers, students, and industry stakeholders.
Professor Opeyemi, a Professor of Civil and Structural Engineering and Head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Achievers University, warned that increasing climate variability, environmental degradation, sea-level rise, and extreme weather events now pose significant threats to infrastructure systems globally.
He noted that traditional engineering approaches, which largely depended on deterministic calculations and historical environmental data, are becoming inadequate in addressing present-day realities.
“Engineering practice must evolve from the pursuit of absolute certainty to the embrace of responsible uncertainty management," he stated.
According to him, modern engineering must increasingly adopt probabilistic methods, resilience-based design frameworks, continuous monitoring systems, and adaptive decision-making models capable of responding to uncertain environmental conditions.
Using global infrastructure failures, including the collapse of the Morandi Bridge in Italy, as reference points, Professor Opeyemi explained that uncertainty remains an unavoidable component of structural engineering and must be explicitly incorporated into design, construction, inspection, and maintenance processes.
“The probability of failure is never completely zero. Our responsibility as engineers is therefore to manage uncertainty intelligently and protect human lives through safer and more resilient systems,” he said.
The professor further highlighted the growing relevance of stochastic modelling and structural reliability frameworks in modern engineering practice, particularly in improving infrastructure resilience against climate-induced risks.
He disclosed that his research contributions include the development of reliability-based engineering models, uncertainty quantification frameworks, and artificial intelligence-driven solutions for climate-resilient infrastructure.
Professor Opeyemi also referenced international research collaborations involving the Russian Academy of Sciences and other institutions on the reliability analysis of ground-active fibre pipelines subjected to wind loads, subsidence, and environmental uncertainties.
Reflecting on his academic journey, the scholar recounted his progression from obtaining a National Diploma in Civil Engineering to earning a PhD in Engineering, describing the inaugural lecture as both a professional milestone and an opportunity to advocate evidence-based engineering solutions for societal development.
He acknowledged the contributions of mentors, colleagues, collaborators, professional bodies, and institutions that shaped his academic and professional career.
The lecture also underscored the importance of stronger collaboration among engineers, researchers, regulators, and professional institutions in developing context-sensitive standards capable of addressing emerging environmental realities.
Professor Opeyemi called for sustained investment in research, innovation, capacity building, and ethical engineering practice to strengthen infrastructure safety and public welfare.
“Our obligation as engineers goes beyond designing structures; it is fundamentally about protecting lives, strengthening resilience, and securing the future,” he concluded.
The event marked another milestone in the growing research culture of Achievers University and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to scholarship, innovation, and solution-driven research addressing national and global challenges.
In his remarks, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Achievers University, Professor Oyesoji Aremu, congratulated Professor Opeyemi on the successful delivery of the university’s 6th Inaugural Lecture, describing the presentation as socially relevant and timely in view of growing global environmental concerns.
According to him, the lecture extends beyond academic discourse to issues that directly affect public safety, infrastructure sustainability, environmental responsibility, and national development.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor further commended Professor Opeyemi for his scholarly contributions to structural engineering, climate resilience research, and engineering innovation, noting that the university remains committed to promoting research that advances societal progress and global relevance.
The event attracted several distinguished traditional rulers, academics, and dignitaries from within and outside Nigeria’s academic community. Some of the dignitaries at the lecture include; the Jegun of Ile-oluji, His Royal Majesty (HRM), Alayeluwa Oba (Dr.) Julius Oluwole Olufaderin Adetimehin; Elemure of Emu-Ile, HRM Oba Bankole Adeyefa II; HRM Obamila of Imola, Odo Ayede Ekiti, Engr Prof. Akinola; and Himes Olu Oodua Atewanran Odidimade, Dr Morakinyo Kehinde Takinlade; Prof. Oluyede Aturamu, Deputy VC, BOUESTI; Prof. S.R. Ogunduyile, former VC, OAUSTECH.
