Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has attributed his ability to remain calm under pressure to his professional background in specialised engineering, explaining that his training in safety and shutdown systems has shaped the way he assesses risks, handles uncertainty and responds to difficult situations.
Makinde, who is an engineer by profession, said people often questioned his composure in the face of challenging circumstances, particularly when events around him appeared chaotic. According to him, his calm disposition is not accidental but is connected to the technical discipline and analytical thinking required in his area of specialisation.
“A lot of people see me and say, in the midst of all this chaos, why are you calm?” the governor said while explaining his approach to pressure.
He noted that his professional experience had taught him to assess situations carefully rather than react impulsively, especially when decisions could have serious consequences.
“One thing is that you can’t see me being frightened. I’m not only an engineer; I’m a specialised engineer. I’m a professional in safety and shutdown systems,” Makinde said.
The governor explained that safety and shutdown engineering involves evaluating the probability that critical equipment or systems could fail when required to perform their intended functions. Such systems may remain inactive for extended periods but must operate reliably when an emergency arises.
He illustrated the principle with equipment that might remain unused for years before being called upon during a critical situation. In such circumstances, the equipment must function as intended because failure could have serious consequences.
According to Makinde, working in such a specialised field requires a particular way of thinking, including the ability to evaluate risks, consider possible failures and make decisions without allowing immediate pressure to overwhelm sound judgement.
He explained that the mindset developed through this professional experience had become part of his personal disposition, influencing how he responds to challenges beyond the engineering environment.
“So the way you think at that sub-specialisation level is different from normal things. You can’t basically take it away from my psyche,” he said.
Makinde’s explanation presents calmness as a habit shaped by professional training and experience rather than simply a personality trait. His comments suggest that the ability to remain composed during difficult situations can be strengthened through disciplines that require systematic thinking, preparation and an understanding of the consequences of failure.
In safety-critical engineering, professionals are expected to anticipate potential problems, assess the likelihood and consequences of failures, and establish safeguards that reduce the risk of dangerous outcomes. These responsibilities require careful analysis and a willingness to prepare for emergencies before they occur.
The same principles can have relevance beyond engineering. In leadership, public administration and other high-pressure environments, the ability to assess available information, consider possible outcomes and respond deliberately can help decision-makers avoid unnecessary panic and make more considered choices.
Makinde’s remarks also highlight the connection between technical expertise and professional temperament. His argument is that years of working in an environment where systems must perform reliably during emergencies can influence how a person approaches uncertainty and pressure in everyday life.
His comments provide an insight into how the governor understands his own leadership style, particularly his tendency to remain composed when confronted with challenging situations. They also offer a broader lesson about the role of preparation, specialised knowledge and disciplined thinking in managing pressure.
While composure alone does not determine the quality of leadership or guarantee successful decisions, the ability to remain calm can create room for clearer assessment, effective communication and a more deliberate response to complex problems.
For Makinde, the explanation begins with engineering: when failure is not an acceptable outcome, preparation and risk assessment must take precedence over panic. He said that this way of thinking has become so deeply embedded in his professional and personal outlook that it continues to influence his reactions to situations outside the engineering field.
