What does mechanical engineer do? This question has puzzled my mind for a very long time now. As a graduate of engineering (Civil) I have some basic idea of the various fields of mechanical engineering. What is mind boggling is that there seems to be a disconnect between these prized fields and what my mechanical engineering colleagues are doing professionally.

In a field that offers so many opportunities, these guys are cluelessly jobless and lost. Am not talking about complex areas like robotics, nanotechnology, aeronautic, or even thermodynamic, am thinking design and fabrication and automobile engineering. A mechanical engineer in my opinion should be the learned senior colleague of a welder, carpenter and auto-mechanic. Yet these guys stay detached from anything that pertains to their field of study.

I am appreciative of the basic level of professional practice by the lawyer drafting legal documents and carrying out CAC reg, the architect and civil engineer designing and carrying out site management/supervision and graduates in the various fields of agriculture going back to the farm. But, WHAT DOES THE MECHANICAL ENGINEER DO? IF THESE GUYS CAN PUT JUST FIFTY PERCENT (50%) OF THEIR POTENTIALS TO WORK, NIGERIA WILL BE ON THE PATH TO INDUSTRIALIZATION!!!

he invents, produce, adjust, repair mechanical equipments

OP has raised a vefy pertinent issue. This deserves front page. Mods, FP, please.

OP has raised a very pertinent issue. This deserves front page. Mods, FP, please.

vault:
he invents, produce, adjust, repair mechanical equipments

Beautiful but are Nigerian mechanical engineers doing any of that?

I did you study civil engineering without passing close to 35% of mechanical engineering causes. Mechical engineers help in designing,constructions and maintenance of machines. I will advice you to visit any FMCG company in Nigeria and see the roles mechanical engineers are playing their.

brodalikeme:


Beautiful but are Nigerian mechanical engineers doing any of that?

the thing is we don't really produce mech. equipments in nigeria, there isn't much promotion and encouragement for those that invent, we only adjust or repair....... to be sincere, Nigeria have a long way to go if we are to ever start producing big and high quality mech equipments another setback is the fact that our schools teaches mostly theories, and I don't see how we can produce (without practicals) without the help of foreigners...... these are the things we lack

olabs201:
I did you study civil engineering without passing close to 35% of mechanical engineering causes. Mechical engineers help in designing,constructions and maintenance of machines. I will advice you to visit any FMCG company in Nigeria and see the roles mechanical engineers are playing their.

I did lots of mechanical courses, loved them and passed all of them. I also know they design, construct and maintain machines. If you read my post very well, you would understand my drift. The number of these guys working in fast moving consumer goods (fmcg) companies are just a tiny fraction of mechanical engineering graduates. I won't want to start the argument the number of these fmcg staffs that are actually mechanical engr graduate yet. There is a whole lot more that can be done

vault:


the thing is we don't really produce mech. equipments in nigeria, there isn't much promotion and encouragement for those that invent, we only adjust or repair....... to be sincere, Nigeria have a long way to go if we are to ever start producing big and high quality mech equipments another setback is the fact that our schools teaches mostly theories, and I don't see how we can produce (without practicals) without the help of foreigners...... these are the things we lack

Bros, I don't even expect these guys to produce machine yet. Use your knowledge of design and CAE/CAD to fabricate things, the other part that you can't fabricate, you buy from the open market and assembly. Cast you mind back to the first set of machines and equipment you ever saw from China looked like. it could be described as 'cut and join' lacking finesse. but they have moved ahead ever since then.

I understand ur argument brother but the point is can the machines used for fabrication/manufacturing be easily purchased unlike the civil engrs

@nigg, yes I think so bros.

Tools and machinaries used by civil engineers on site are just the handworks of a mechanical engineer.

I know but how many of these tools are made by Nigerian mechanical engineers? Some of things are so basic that we need not import them again.

the problem with Nigeria engineering as a whole is of multi facet dimension ranging from the lack of industrial base to an inconsistent national industrialization policies as well as non implementation of the national innovation system. you can not industrialize without having a functional steel and it allied industries, you can not industrialize without power, you can not industrialize without the academia-industrial linkages. that is why you may find fantastic student projects in higher institutions all laying fallow in the labs but you go to our markets you see similar gadget/device being imported from China and other Asian countries_____this is a case of having the technology but lacking in the materials, electricity, tools to mass produce it so that it can compete with its foreign counterpart in an open market settings.

I still believe Nigerians have one of the most brilliant engineers in the world but they can do little to turn this brilliancy to some thing productive because of the prevailing circumstances militating against engineering in this country____ have you ever wondered why a lot of average 2.2 engineering graduate from Nigeria excel with a distinction in most UK post graduate degree program. believe me Nigeria engineers that are based abroad especially the states are really doing great things and among the best over their.they are doing great because they are in the an environment which have the necessary tech-eco system that was built on the tripod stand of academia-industry-innovation.

techmatas:
the problem with Nigeria engineering as a whole is of multi facet dimension ranging from the lack of industrial base to an inconsistent national industrialization policies as well as non implementation of the national innovation system. you can not industrialize without having a functional steel and it allied industries, you can not industrialize without power, you can not industrialize without the academia-industrial linkages. that is why you may find fantastic student projects in higher institutions all laying fallow in the labs but you go to our markets you see similar gadget/device being imported from China and other Asian countries_____this is a case of having the technology but lacking in the materials, electricity, tools to mass produce it so that it can compete with its foreign counterpart in an open market settings.

I still believe Nigerians have one of the most brilliant engineers in the world but they can do little to turn this brilliancy to some thing productive because of the prevailing circumstances militating against engineering in this country____ have you ever wondered why a lot of average 2.2 engineering graduate from Nigeria excel with a distinction in most UK post graduate degree program. believe me Nigeria engineers that are based abroad especially the states are really doing great things and among the best over their.they are doing great because they are in the an environment which have the necessary tech-eco system that was built on the tripod stand of academia-industry-innovation.

Nice write up. Hope you are not a mechanical engineer? I need to take on one, LOL

teelord1:
Good day

Please I'm a graduate of Civil engineering (Second Class Upper division 4.37 of 5.0), with also a diploma in Computer Engineering.

Since I finished my NYSC in October 2015 there is no opportunity whatsoever.

 I'm good in computer hardware engineering,AutoCad design and some ICT packages. I have quite some experience in project management and inspection/maintenance schedule on sites working as an Intern at Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and some other Engineering firm in Lagos. I also attend some professional training at EPCM on Oil and Gas facility Engineering, basic piping fundamental and layout development. 
Please I crave your indulgence to seek for an opportunity as an intern or graduate trainee in your organisation or any related connected field to be able to learn more and utilise my skill.

I'm a fast learner with a willing Spirit.
Motivated and God fearing.
I believe I will be a valuable asset to any organisation I found myself contributing my uppermost best.

Please help me, this are my contact details
08062405885, engrtranquil@gmail.com

Thank you and God Bless you more sir may his countenance shine more on your endeavour.

Impressive skill set and qualifications. I would advice you to start somewhere small no minding the pay, so that you can gain relevant experience. I have discovered that good pay and relevant experience rarely go together. But with your skill set and some more experience, you will go places.
I will link you up with a course mate that works with the Lagos state ministry of works. God bless you and good luck.