Engineering Challenges in Nigeria Paper
Engineering Challenges in Nigeria Paper
BY
Engr. Famous O. Igbinovia
Electrical/Electronic Department
Edo State institute of Technology and Management, Usen
P.M.B 1104 Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
Tel:+234(0)8025431824
E-mail: [email protected]
And
Engr. Wilfred .A. Asonmwonriri
Power holding Company of Nigeria (PLC)
Protection, Control and Metering Department
Delta work Centre
P.M.B 096 Ughelli, Delta State, Nigeria
Tel: +234(0)8037921342
E-mail: [email protected]
ABSTRACT
The place of any country in this technological age would be predicated on the
role of Engineers. In performing their role, Engineers are faced with a lot of challenges
and the Nigerian engineers are no exception.This paper discusses the engineering
profession, world federation of engineering organisation (WFEO) proposal on
Engineering ethics, the history of engineering science in the world and the history of
Engineering in Nigeria. It also highlights Engineering challenges in Nigeria and the task
ahead for a sustainable development.
Keywords; Engineer, Engineering, Engineering challenges, sustainable development,
Engineering profession,Engineering ethics.
INTRODUCTION
Since Nigeria’s Independence in 1960, successive governments of the federation
have devoted a lot of effort to the creation of physical facilities, such as roads, power
supply, water supply, educational buildings, housing, hospital, communication e.t.c,
which are basic requirements for the social and economic well-being of the nation. And it
is obvious that the nation has been faced with a lot of engineering challenges since
independence(1).
The issue now is the extent to which Nigerian Engineers responded to these
engineering challenges for sustainable development. Much has been written about
sustainable development . The varying definitions are based on the econonmic, social,
environmental and political realities, sustainable development suggests a condition
wherein the decisions undertaken today do not prevent possible alternative decisions in
the future. In addition, it is generally accepted that sustainable development is driven by
a need to demonstrate increased environmental awareness in our day-to-day lives and
decision making (2).And the Nigerian Engineers just as their counterpart in other part of
the world who have acquired the Art and Science which would enable them to harness
and direct the resources of nature for the benefit and convenience of mankind, should be
able to harness and direct the resources of nature for the economic,social,
environmental and political well being of mankind.
• Corruption: most engineering projects in the country is carried out using the fifty
percent (50%) rule, thereby eating the capital and not the profit. That is, contractors
giving even more than fifty percent of the total cost of a project to some corrupt
government officials and politicians before actually embarking on a project and in
most cases, since the remaining part of the money will not be enough to do the job,
the project may not be carried out and if it is carried out at all, it is usually sub-
standard or abandoned.
• Politics : the nature of the training of the engineers does not actually expose him/her
to be actively involve in politics, though they may be passively involved. For instance
a power engineer in a power station can not be actively involved in politics. Since
power stations are usually sited in secluded areas.
• Existing engineering facilities and infrastructures not being upgraded :most
engineering establishment ever since they were commissioned have not been
upgraded , thereby not able to meet up with the present day demand.
Conclusion
Engineering is a double-edged sword. It is both the cause of many
environmental, social, economic and political problems faced by man and also a key to
solving them. It is now recognized that engineers need considerable support in their
attempts in various walk of life to promote sustainable development. There is no doubt
that a lot has been achieved by the Nigerian engineers in this respect , but our
unsatisfactory performance so far is a principal challenge for us to preserve the
conditions for life and welfare of mankind, today and in the future . Even though our
submissions here may not be all inclusive, it is our candid opinion that if the opinion
given above are adhered to, and the engineer upholds the values of truth , honesty and
trust-worthiness, human life will be safeguarded.
REFERENCES
(1) The Nigerian society of engineers ,proceedings of the national engineering
conference, opening address by the federal commission of works, Literamed
press; ikeja, December 1977.
(2) Jim webber and Dave Hill : reverse engineering the sustainable Development
process : adapting eight decade of Experience to enhance the future. ,
WWW,google.com, 2007.
(3) The Nigerian society of Engineers, Benin Branch, A one-day pre-interview
seminar; March, 2006.
(4) Usifo .F. O et al, accepted paper submitted for publication , JESA, Faculty of
engineering and technology, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, 2007
(5) The Nigerian society of Engineers , Train the trainers workshop ; C.C. Okoro :
“professional ethics in engineering”, March 2006
(6) Michael S Pritchard ; Teaching Engineering Ethics; A case study approach;
center for the study of ethics in society, National science Foundation,
WWW.google.com , 2007.
7. B. M. Rai et al “The engineer and society” 2nd edition, Ambik press, Benin City.
August 2001.