Growing up, I’d always been fascinated with the idea of being an Engineer. Back then engineers seemed like intellectual ‘gods’ with the ability to procure solutions to whatever problem society throws their way. I couldn’t wait to gain admission into the university and further this dream of becoming an Engineer. I was fascinated by motor cars and heavy machinery and so Mechanical Engineering seemed like the best form of engineering for me. I had it all figured out, I’d graduate with the title ‘Engr’ in front of my name, people would look at me with respect and tell their kids how important people like me are to the society. This dream was all the motivation I needed so I worked hard and gained admission into the university, I was almost there, 5 years and I’d be the person I’d always dreamed to be.
Nothing prepared me for the bitter truth. The lectures were based strictly on imagination and ‘theories’. I couldn’t believe it, we were taught about engines and combustion and we never got to see any engine. We were expected to learn from the lecturer’s vivid explanation and pictures from textbooks as old as the bible. I’d never seen a 4-stroke combustion engine before yet I was expected to describe the combustion process with diagrams to explain my descriptions. I graduated with fair grades but a changed heart, I wasn’t sure I wanted to be an engineer anymore. With my graduation came the realization that the only evidence that I studied Mechanical Engineering was my certificate. Did I make a wrong career choice? Or was I chasing after a false dream I could never realize?
Every year, thousands of young engineers that have a similar experience like I did graduate from Nigerian universities. Somewhere along their years in the university, their dream of being a future problem solver is assassinated and replaced with the desire to secure a plum job. These youths are supposed to lead the nations engineering industry tomorrow but may we ask what they are made up of today?
Most laboratories in Nigerian universities are actually antique shops/museums equipped with Stone Age machinery that most of the developed engineering world have abandoned or forgotten. It’s shameful to see that most engineering graduates have never seen or handled tools of their profession. In my case I didn’t get to see a ‘Lathe machine’ throughout my university years. If there was a body responsible for auditing engineering equipment in Nigerian universities, many emerging engineers would have their certificates recalled.
Reports from the international community on the Nigerian engineer shows we are regarded as half-baked graduates and most first class graduates are subjected to tests in order to ascertain the quality of their degree. The course curriculum needs to be revisited if we must break this stereotype. The government shouldn’t lay still and watch as the nation’s engineering future dwindles and fades out. Nobody would help improve our engineering industry for us we need to do it ourselves. Private sectors should partner with institutions in both infrastructure availability and human resource development. The truth is that your manpower comes from these institutions, equip them today and have a capable workforce tomorrow.
We must realize that the present educational system is certificate driven, which should not be. We need to build our lives and careers around being proficient because that is the only way we can stand up to be counted. The task of building a new Nigeria is a general responsibility but I know that it is not a question of whether Nigeria will be great again, it’s only a question of when and who. I believe that the future of the Engineering discipline in Nigeria can only be assured if tomorrow’s key players are equipped today. What tomorrow will look like is a reflection of what we paint on the canvas of today.

i am a member of an online engineering website, www.engineer-ng.net that brings to you d latest engineering news and job vacancies. you can join for free and read/ write or participate in engineering discussions and topics,upload pictures n videos of your projects for all to see etc.thank you.

My engineering training experiences were more bizarre. My Alma mater had machines and apparatus with big 'DO NOT TOUCH' tags hanging over them. We only saw but never touched (let alone operate). I feel sorry for myself.

Maybe we should use this thread for sharing our ordeals while in our various schools training as engineers.

When you see the way western governments fund schemes to integrate research and education with practical application in companies, you feel like crying for Nigeria. They do this to help companies increase their competitiveness by sharing new ideas and approaches to modern industrial practice, which is why they keep growing while African Countries remain stagnant.

Their universities partner with companies to solve practical problems through internships/placements in this sequence – company pays university, university pays and mentors student throughout. This is a win-win situation for all those concerned as the student gains practical experience, problem solved for company, and the university increases not only its knowledgebase, but can also purchase equipment with leftover funds.

If this is done in different universities, with different companies, and different students, the Nation’s industrial sector will definitely grow and your problem will be solved. Nice one poster, I’m glad people like you are thinking of the future.

thank you ''Long One''... i wish the govt and private companies would see things this way. but instead they seem determined to relegate the industry and chase other areas.

TemiBalrog: thank you ''Long One''... i wish the govt and private companies would see things this way. but instead they seem determined to relegate the industry and chase other areas.

@Temi, i read ur write-up with empathy to our dear country. it happens that most of us enters d university with the intent of graduating a professional engineer equipped with d knowledge of manufacturing cars, aeroplanes, motorcycles, televisions, radios, fans, etc depending on your areas of specialisation but it all ends on drawing boards and figment of imagination. Alas! most engineers which i happen to be one having realised we have veered in our career scrambled at all cost to make both ends meet subsequently found ourselves in banks where we most often work as cashiers, tellers, marketers and other managerial works. This is quite disheartening bc focus is lost, zeal is demoralised and brain is drained as a result of theoritical and imaginative legacy bestowed to us by the nigerian universities. I have to stop bc am pissed off.

I actually cried when reading this. Nigeria, the whole system, is elaborately designed to kill dreams and inspirations. I remember writing my JAMB post utme; the joy and elation of going to the universities and becoming, if only for the duration of the exams, a part of the community. But reality was, and still is, a right bîtch. Aesthetics is a word not found in the dictionary of our leaders. Competition, a far-fetched dream. Innovation, please!
Like I said, dream killer.

Nice one TemiBalrog,

I always maintain that the infrastructure collapse and the current state as well as the future of this country can be blamed on our Educational system. I mean how does a country such as this intends to grow in all ramifications when it neglects Research and Development.

Will the autonomy of these universities help this grave situation? (just thinking aloud). I think this will strengthen the unis in terms of funding and management rather than relying on the government, it might create a bit of intellectual competition amongst universities in terms of research and Business Engagements. A lot has to be done by the universities themselves in going out to engage these private institutions in a knowledge transfer programme as well as research & development other than what we see today. Most of the Nigerian universities I’ve been to, the only Private institution’s presence I get to see is mostly in the form of buildings (hostels, lecture theaters) which have little or no practical knowledge impact on the students.

Universities these days outsource their buildings contracts to other private institutions without even tasking the architecture, civil, electrical students and departments. These departments should be solution developers on their own for the govt and private institutions but what do we have to show for it? Students paying their way and same set of lecturers that also paid their way through their own uni.

Most of the Private institutions outside the country actually go back to the unis for solutions, headhunt brilliant chaps, sponsor students for phd based on their own research topic. For example, I’ve selected few research projects being carried out by a UK uni (durham) for private institutions.

3D Laser Mapping Ltd---------To implement a slope monitoring system through strain-rate based failure modelling from high-resolution 3D time-series date.
East Midlands Summit Media Ltd-----To construct and exploit statistical models which relate purchase behaviour with dynamic ecommerce price comparison sites to factors such as price elasticity, stock and site usability

Icona Solutions LTd-------To develop and introduce a new parallel framework for the aesthetica simulation software to improve performance and make effective use of multi-core, High Power Computing and distributed environments/multi-processor hardware

Network Mapping Ltd--------To develop and introduce modelling using electromechanical, geospatial and meteorological data to underpin the development of a web-based risk assessment tool for electrical transmission networks in the UK and overseas.
http://www.dur.ac.uk/ktp/recent/

Could the technical colleges be revamped to equip the younger generations at an early stage?

At a time I was beginning to think the private universities will provide succor for the Nigerian system.......don’t know how far they’ve gone now though.

Coming to the Govt, I honestly do not have a clue. What does the NSE do? Ministry of Science & technology, Ministry of education?

^ You're correct, Nigeria's only hope now are private universities. The federally and state-owned ones are absolutely rubbish. Do you know some private universities offer exchange programmes with/to universities abroad? Which federal university does/has done that?

And let's not talk about living conditions. Please, let's not. It's an abysmal disaster. A shame of gargantuan proportions.

Oh well, people finally waking up from their slumbers.

SimonAndal: I actually cried when reading this. Nigeria, the whole system, is elaborately designed to kill dreams and inspirations. I remember writing my JAMB post utme; the joy and elation of going to the universities and becoming, if only for the duration of the exams, a part of the community. But reality was, and still is, a right bîtch. Aesthetics is a word not found in the dictionary of our leaders. Competition, a far-fetched dream. Innovation, please!
Like I said, dream killer.

You cried when you read this?
I feel you. I cried too; the original post was so freaking long and rambling, I felt like waterboarding myself

TemiBalrog:

i am a member of an online engineering website, www.engineer-ng.net that brings to you d latest engineering news and job vacancies. you can join for free and read/ write or participate in engineering discussions and topics,upload pictures n videos of your projects for all to see etc.thank you.

just a new spin on spam

end of

To the 'weeping' Nigerian engineers.
We also didn't get much by way of hands-on learning, and I went to school in the '90s.
But I figured things out for myself. Stop weeping, and figure things out for yourself.
No food for lazy engineers, and you can't blame your lecturer

SimonAndal: ^ You're correct, Nigeria's only hope now are private universities. The federally and state-owned ones are absolutely rubbish.

Private universities indeed. Most of these private unis are glorified secondary schools. Forget the name, check the content.

SimonAndal: Do you know some private universities offer exchange programmes with/to universities abroad? Which federal university does/has done that?

FUTO is part of the IAESTE programme. Even IMT, a state poly, has an exchange programme with the University of Teeside.

Allwell:
Private universities indeed. Most of these private unis are glorified secondary schools. Forget the name, check the content.

FUTO is part of the IAESTE programme. Even IMT, a state poly, has an exchange programme with the University of Teeside.

_
Where the hell is that?

I went to check out Godfrey Okoye University for my cuz, and was astonished to find they offer exchange programme with University of Vienna. I even saw some white exchange students there. And that's a university that's not even 4 years old. Tell me about so-called federal universities iaeste.

SimonAndal:
_
Where the hell is that?

My bad. It's Teesside university.

Allwell:
My bad. It's Teesside university.

_
I still ask: where the hell is that?

SimonAndal:
_
I still ask: where the hell is that?

UK

SimonAndal: Tell me about so-called federal universities iaeste.

IAESTE is The International Association for the Exchange of Students For Technical Experience. Check it up. www.iaeste.org

I feel the lack of infastructural development/growth

@op
How'd you remedy your situation? Are you a competent mech engineer now? How'd you become one?

AjanleKoko:
To the 'weeping' Nigerian engineers.
We also didn't get much by way of hands-on learning, and I went to school in the '90s.
But I figured things out for myself. Stop weeping, and figure things out for yourself.
No food for lazy engineers, and you can't blame your lecturer

I love the bolded!

You should not be saying this as a mechanical engineer.How many mechanical engineering works are going on around us? must you wait for your lecturers/school to teach you everything.You can learn from even roadside mechanics especially the good ones.All you need is to lay down your pride and get ready to get yourself dirty.When this people see a graduate coming down to their level,they are ready to go to any length in explaining some of the things they know.When they start explaining some things to you,I tell you all those things you feel are theoretical in school will make meaning to you... Engr you are the one that will develop yourself sir and opportunities to do that abound. I am a mechanical engineer with one of the state ministry of works, but I still find time to go and learn from mechanics of earthmoving equipments and within a space of a few weeks,I have learnt a lot

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I'm scared..... (100 level chemical Engr)

boldan:
You should not be saying this as a mechanical engineer.How many mechanical engineering works are going on around us? must you wait for your lecturers/school to teach you everything.You can learn from even roadside mechanics especially the good ones.All you need is to lay down your pride and get ready to get yourself dirty.When this people see a graduate coming down to their level,they are ready to go to any length in explaining some of the things they know.When they start explaining some things to you,I tell you all those things you feel are theoretical in school will make meaning to you... Engr you are the one that will develop yourself sir and opportunities to do that abound. I am a mechanical engineer with one of the state ministry of works, but I still find time to go and learn from mechanics of earthmoving equipments and within a space of a few weeks,I have learnt a lot

thanks for taking out time to let them knw the truth. I red civil engr. And I can upload some major structures I did in my days as an undergraduate for verification if d need arises. The reason I could do that as a student den was because I saw the need to learn outside the class room.
It took me abt 2yrs to get admission though frm my sec school days I knew I was goin to b a civil engr. So I didn't hv to waste the 2yrs. So wat I did ws to hook up with some architects, builders n structural engrs for d purpose of learning some practical side of construction n at d same time makin little peanuts as against wat ws actually obtainable den. Bt it was worth it at d end.
So knowing fully well dat our educational system is bleeped, I don't expect any one to stay by and wait for a system dat is almost not workable. Engineers are supposed to be solution providers, so u start by being such to urslf 1st before goin ahead to be such to the society.

I really feel sorry for the op, but you can still make the change and make your dream come true. What you have to do like sum1 said early try to find a means of learnin 4rm a local workshop and you will see all the theoritical aspect in pracitical... The country has failed us ,we shouldn't fail ourselve nw...To d youth out dia seekin admissn to uni. try poly and monopoly also they also helps to make dreams come true coz am happy i went 2 poly, I gaind alot in both pratical and theory aspect esp. Durin my siwes wit a local workshop...

THE REALITY OF MOST YOUNG ENGINEER IN THE MAKING
(CASE STUDY REVIEW)

Growing up, I have always been fascinated with the idea of being an Engineer. Back then engineers seemed like intellectual ‘gods’ with the ability to proffer solutions to whatever problem society throws their way or were faced with. I couldn’t wait to take the lead as a solution provider I myself, so I started with little things I could fixed from family problem to neighbour problem hoping some day it will be me in the front run of fixing society problem and making the engineering sector great. I gain admission into the tertiary institution to further this dream of becoming an Engineer. I have always been fascinated by the principle of power generation and concept of circuiting making Electrical Engineering seemed like the best form of engineering for me. I had it all figured out, I’d graduate and get the COREN certification with the title ‘Engr’ in front of my name, I will be relevance and important because of what I have learned and acquired people would look at me with respect and tell their kids how important people like me are to the society. This dream was all the motivation I needed so I worked hard and gained admission into the higher institution
I gained admission into the system and in the process of acquiring this knowledge, it hit me, that the system inside the school wouldn’t produce the innovative engineer I have been dreaming of becoming, nothing prepared me for the bitter truth. Most of the lectures were based strictly on imagination and ‘theories’. I couldn’t believe it, I learned about Electro-Magnetic Induction and Power Generation with no opportunity to see it real working principle or application. I was expected to learn from vivid explanation and pictures from textbooks as old as the bible. I’d never seen a 4-stroke combustion engine before yet I was expected to describe the combustion process with diagrams to explain my descriptions. It was certain for me that if I didn’t make head-way, I will totally become what is tagged by UNESCO as Half Baked Graduate of Engineering. With the fear of the life after school came the realization that the only evidence that I studied Electrical Engineering would be my certificate. Did I make a wrong career choice? Or was I chasing after a false dream I could never realize?
HOPE OF THE ENGINEERING SECTOR

Every year, thousands of young engineers that have a similar experience like me from Nigerian polytechnics and universities. Somewhere along their years in the school, their dream of being a future problem solver is frustrated and assassinated and replaced with the desire to secure a plum job. These youths are supposed to lead the nations engineering industry tomorrow but may we ask what they are made up of today? Where is the passion and enthusiasm they started with?

Most laboratories in Nigerian school are actually antique shops/museums equipped with Stone Age machinery that most of the developed engineering world have abandoned or forgotten. It’s shameful to see that most engineering graduates have never seen or handled tools of their profession and in most cases machines and apparatus have a big 'DO NOT TOUCH' tags hanging over them. If there was a body responsible for auditing engineering equipment in Nigerian universities, many emerging engineers would have their certificates recalled.
Reports from the international community on the Nigerian engineer shows we are regarded as half-baked graduates and most first class graduates are subjected to tests in order to ascertain the quality of their degree.
IDENTIFYING AND UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEMS
We the students are not ignorance to most of the problems, we know the about the bureaucracy and government policies, we aware of the little funding, we know about the corruption of the non academic staff, we know about the family-involvement system and unqualified staff/lectures, we know about the non eagerness in most student to learn, we know the problem are much; but there are alternative and solutions even more than the problem, the bigger problem is who is trying to make it better.
The primary objective of every higher institution in any country is to secure a sustainable future of its next generation and that of the nation, if we all know this, then we should be aware that the primary objective is not for the government or for the management of the institution but rather for every stakeholder of the society involving private sector, public sector, families, neighbours, friends, social groups, cooperate groups, professional bodies and so on.
THE SOLUTIONS FOR ENGINEERING SECTOR
(CASE STUDY REVIEW)

The key solution is engagement of all stakeholders.

In the year 2013, I was involved in a nationwide competition tagged ‘’Light Up Naija Challenge’’ across almost all tertiary institutions in Nigeria under the platform of ENACTUS Kaduna Polytechnic sponsored by Sahara Energy Group, me and other team member designed and constructed a wind turbine with a capacity of producing 2.5kva power of renewable energy for a remote community of which we installed it in Ungwar Pa, a small community in Kasuwa Mageni Kaduna state. This innovation powers 55 energy saver bulbs for about 5-7 hours every day. At the end of the project we defended it in a group competition in Lagos and our project won first position best impactful and innovative project and we were rewarded with a cash award. This was a practical knowledge and a practical experience that the class would not provide but stakeholders can provide this kind of learning experience through the school.

In the year 2014, we also participated in the phase two of the competition, of which we designed and constructed a Self Sustaining Hydro-powered System with coupled with a solar panel with a capacity of 4.0kva power of renewable energy, it powered a small farm and the community palace with a small reading centre which we provided in the sabon kakau village in Kaduna state. We also won the first position in the phase two of the ‘’Light Up Naija Challenge’’

Also from the year 2013, I have started to attend the NIEEEs (National Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering) and NSE (Nigeria Society of Engineering) meeting in Kaduna as an Engineering Student, it is an exposure to understand the present situation of engineering sector at the moment, an exposure to practical and intellectual training from professionals, an exposure to field trip and industrial visitation also direct interaction with made engineers and possiblely job and industrial opportunities.

From research, it has shown that exposure such as this, makes youth to be visionary and patriot of their society, reigniting passion within young engineering creating innovative solution from identified society problem, creating opportunity to learn new things, meet other prospective young engineers and share ideas and be relevance in the society

The big QUESTION is how many young engineers in the making will have this opportunity or how many private or public sector or individuals will provide this opportunity?

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

The course curriculum needs to be revisited if we must break this stereotype. The government shouldn’t lay still and watch as the nation’s engineering future dwindles and fades out. Nobody would help improve our engineering industry for us we need to do it ourselves. Private sectors should partner with institutions in both infrastructure availability and human resource development. The truth is that your manpower comes from these institutions, equip them today and have a capable workforce tomorrow.
Internship opportunities should be created for young engineering student while they are still in school, social organization should be form to facilitate engineering activities and provision for seminar, competition and training should be organised regularly.
We must realize that the present educational system is certificate driven, which should not be. We need to build our lives and careers around being proficient because that is the only way we can stand up to be counted. The task of building a new Nigeria is a general responsibility but I know that it is not a question of whether Nigeria will be great again, it’s only a question of when and who. I believe that the future of the Engineering discipline in Nigeria can only be assured if tomorrow’s key players are equipped today. What tomorrow will look like is a reflection of what we paint on the canvas of today.

What will NSE do?
What will NIEEEs do?
What will COREN do?
What will all stakeholders do?
JC. DANIEL ONOVOH
I am an electrical Engineering student of Kaduna Polytechnic
The Technical Project Developer Enactus Kaduna Polytechnic
The Junior Chamber International (JCI) Chapter President Kaduna Polytechnic
Initiative Developer for #TheGathering
danielonovoh@gmail.com

The govt should step up their actions towards STEM