AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
The Nigerian Institute of Electrical Electronics Engineers (NIEEE), Ibadan chapter, has launched a one-day sensitization programme for Electrical and Electronics, and Mechatronic Engineering students at Lead City University in Ibadan, Oyo State.
This initiative aims to foster skills development and enhance career readiness among young engineers.
The event, held at the university’s International Conference Centre on Tuesday, featured NIEEE Ibadan Chairman Babatunde Ogunpaimo, who underscored the need for engineering professionals to be proactive and engaged, rather than indifferent.
He emphasized that it is essential for trained engineers to rely on their own expertise rather than outsourcing technical work to unqualified individuals.
Ogunpaimo described the NIEEE’s involvement as part of a broader push for transformative change in the engineering sector. “Change begins with ‘me,'” he stated. “This is why we organized this program here in Oyo State as a professional body engaged in developmental work. We came to Lead City University to orient students in electrical, electronics, and mechatronic engineering on the importance of applying the knowledge and skills they gain in school.”
He pointed out that it has become common to take electronic devices to places like Dugbe for repairs due to the country’s failure to implement essential policies, such as mandatory internships for engineering students. “You don’t gain knowledge by staying at home,” he remarked. “When senior professionals come in to introduce practical knowledge, students get to develop their skills and contribute to technological advancement.”
Ogunpaimo encouraged Nigerian engineers to actively participate in policy-making rather than leaving these responsibilities to others. He stressed that professionals must assert themselves in policy discussions, saying, “We must be players in the system, ensuring policies that positively impact our specializations are implemented. It’s not ideal when non-engineers head critical technical sectors. We need to showcase our professionalism in areas like management and economics to influence our fields effectively.”
He also spoke on the issue of foreign companies dominating Nigeria’s construction sector, praising the recent law that requires foreign firms to employ a significant number of Nigerian engineers in local projects. “The President has signed this into law. It’s now up to us, the players, to enforce it and ensure it benefits our industry,” Ogunpaimo noted.
Dr. Babatunde Emmanuel, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Lead City University and Head of the Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department, echoed these sentiments. Speaking to journalists, he explained, “We organized this program with the NIEEE to guide students in electrical and mechatronics engineering on career development. This platform allows them to network with experienced professionals and receive mentorship during their academic journey.”
Dr. Emmanuel emphasized the importance of producing graduates with hands-on skills who can immediately contribute to societal development upon graduation. “Our goal is to develop graduates who are not just academically prepared but equipped with practical skills to solve real-world problems,” he concluded.
This partnership between NIEEE and Lead City University marks a significant step toward strengthening the skills and employability of future engineers in Nigeria.
