Feraz:
It is a well-known fact that when the average Nigerian undergraduate studying Engineering is asked what path of career to choose from after leaving school, the person echoes “Oil/gas”. When you ask the person the reason for choosing that path, they have various reasons majorly being the pay for entry level is very attractive and other reasons like “the stress in the oil/gas industries is not much compared to other professions. Imagine sitting in the office most times doing nothing and at the end of the month, your phone rings and you see alert of N1.2m. I mean, who wouldn’t want to live the good life? Hahaha!!!” and it gets you wondering what good life? Is it a life where you provide your own water supply, your own security, your own electricity etc.? Is that what one terms a good life?

From the above, one wonders if the only branch of Engineering being studied in Nigeria is Petroleum Engineering. In my varsity, there are various branches which include – Mechanical, Electrical/Electronics, Civil, Chemical, Computer, Petroleum and Production Engineering. The same can be said of other universities in Nigeria as some offer other branches of Engineering in addition to the above. If various branches of Engineering is being offered, then why the oil/gas mentality? We have so focused in the oil/gas industries thereby leaving other branches to go comatose.

According to Wikipedia, Engineering is defined thus “Engineering (from Latin ingenium, meaning "cleverness" and ingeniare, meaning "to contrive, devise" is the application of scientific, economic, social, and practical knowledge in order to invent, design, build, maintain, and improve structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes”. From the above definition, it is seen that Engineering goes beyond the oil/gas industries.

Here is an excerpt from Greatman5’s post and I quote – He also goes ahead to say (Apologies to my friends in the Medical fields. I mean no disrespect to your noble profession).

Looking at Mechanical Engineering for example as that is my field, there are fields to specialize in like Robotics, Aerospace, Aeronautics, Energy, Automobile, Automotive, Marine etc. but you wonder why we do not have so many firms that focus on the above listed. Just recently, India joined the leagues of nations that have sent space probes to Mars and you wonder, where are the Mechanical Engineers in Nigeria? This same country also make various machines and export to nations and it was not long they started doing all these. USA has the likes of NASA, Boeing and other Engineering firms not related to the oil/gas industry. Japan the same with Toyota, Nissan, Kawasaki Heavy Industries etc. What about South Korea? We use their product Hyundai and they also design and build ships for nations. These are just few examples and they all have one thing in common, they are not related to the oil/gas industries. What crime is it if we as Mechanical Engineers come together and create our technology to match our climate while designing also, for other nations?

We may cite Innoson, ANAMCO and other firms the government has allowed to set up industries in Nigeria as examples but is that enough? We are well aware of the power issues we face as a nation. Energy development is still in its infancy stage in the country so why must we kill ourselves looking for a career in the oil/gas industry? Energy is the second most lucrative industry in the world after oil/gas so whatever happened to advancing this sector? This is time for us to come together and develop our power sector instead of relying on others to do so for us. We have the resources to push for constant power supply and other means of using energy but why is it not so? What of the ergonomics aspect of Engineering? Or do we think the way we seat and relax aren’t thought about? The chairs we use in the office, who do we think design them?

How about having firms in Nigeria that can rival that of Lockheed Martins, Rolls-Royce and co? Producing just engines to power automobiles (planes, cars, trains etc.) could employ nothing less than 10, 000. If opportunities abound in these, why do we rush for the oil/gas industries? Is it wrong to have a stake in the International Space Station? We always want to work in the oil/gas industry forgetting that some of the equipment needed there is designed and manufactured by the Mechanical Engineers. Just some days ago, we heard of the Dockwise Blue Marlin and opened our mouths in awe. Was that vessel not built by Engineers who saw a need for improving the transportation of water bodies instead of wanting to work in the oil/gas industry?

We should also not forget the bio-medical field where equipment like Magnetic Resonance Imaging - MRI, CT, Ultrasound machine, X-ray machine, Anesthetic machine etc. are designed to specifications, taking into consideration the materials to be used for the above since it deals with life which are all manufactured by the different branches of Engineering (components like the controls, the nuts, bolts, gears, shafts, the programming aspect of it, the micro-controllers to be embedded etc.)

Coming down to other fields like Elect/Elect, Computer and others, is it a crime if Nigeria is known to produce the best chips, processors and fiber optics cables in the world? When are we going to have our own Silicon Valley? What about having a large conglomerate like Schneider? What about aspiring to be like Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, Acer etc.? We all use their phone – Samsung, even argue about how it is better than Nokia and we are yet to make one. I have a friend, my set mate who is already thinking of setting up her own electronics firm and believe me, with dedication to it, she’s going to be big.

The Civil Engineering in Nigeria is one field I must commend as they have tried as can be seen in the various constructions they are involved in but it still not enough. I believe we can still take this branch of Engineering higher by designing and constructing buildings that will make the world wow at our structures.

There was a topic I created about students’ inventions and check all; none has to do with oil/gas. What they all invented is something the world will come to later appreciate; inventions like 3D nail polish, the odorless toilet, the spidey suit, the gel that stops blood flow, the nail polish that tells if your drink is spiked etc. and they are all undergraduates.

Most times, we tend to insult our brothers across the Niger River but most are self-employed and not roaming the streets with this oil/gas mentality making things that we need. Things ranging from clothes to shoes to spare parts (we say it is substandard but have we ever thought of getting into this business and forming a firm while raising production to international standards instead of castigating them? I am not encouraging substandard products by the way).

And do not get me started with the supposed Engineering bodies – COREN and NSE of which I honestly do not see their functions in Nigeria except to depend on government handout and bribe while forgetting their primary function which is to advance Engineering in Nigeria. I have not seen or heard of any event being sponsored by them to aid students’ interest in the field of Engineering. Check the contents of both websites and tell me what you think. Check the contents of the Energy Dept. of Nigeria. No news on innovation except the never-ending promises of the government.

If we really must advance Engineering in Nigeria, we need to do away with the mentality of working only in the oil/gas industry and focus on other aspects of Engineering that will help us solve the numerous problems we as a nation have; which will put us in the developed nations of the world while according us the respect we deserve and this in turn will make our African brothers pick up and realize their potentials reducing wars and dependency on aids being offered us by nations.

N.B: Apologies for any typos here as this was written under the influence of garri and egusi soup. Also, for anything I am ignorant about in the above write-up, please, do correct me as I am still acquiring knowledge. Then again, I am not generalizing in the above write-up neither am I saying one should not work in the oil/gas sector because every branch of Engineering is needed in the sector. Thank you.

jechona:


yes. With all my heart. You fail to understand one thing. If Nigerians are given correct facilities and materials, the made in Nigeria product will be far better than the imported products. Try a local shoe maker to produce one for you then do the comparism for yourself.

Feraz:
It is a well-known fact that when the average Nigerian undergraduate studying Engineering is asked what path of career to choose from after leaving school, the person echoes “Oil/gas”. When you ask the person the reason for choosing that path, they have various reasons majorly being the pay for entry level is very attractive and other reasons like “the stress in the oil/gas industries is not much compared to other professions. Imagine sitting in the office most times doing nothing and at the end of the month, your phone rings and you see alert of N1.2m. I mean, who wouldn’t want to live the good life? Hahaha!!!” and it gets you wondering what good life? Is it a life where you provide your own water supply, your own security, your own electricity etc.? Is that what one terms a good life?

From the above, one wonders if the only branch of Engineering being studied in Nigeria is Petroleum Engineering. In my varsity, there are various branches which include – Mechanical, Electrical/Electronics, Civil, Chemical, Computer, Petroleum and Production Engineering. The same can be said of other universities in Nigeria as some offer other branches of Engineering in addition to the above. If various branches of Engineering is being offered, then why the oil/gas mentality?

KingBish:
Very nice post in a struggle to make fp as can be deduced from your incessant request to the mods on the first page.
Anyways, success in life means different things to different people. ALL I WANT IN THIS LIFE IS TO MAKE MONEY. I realised petroleum engineering is the course that'd shoot me into the oil/gas industry where I'd earn some good money and went for it.
I have no time for making any inventions whatsoever.
But hey! Go ahead and recruit like-minded ppl, get busy with inventions while I keep getting money and we'd all live a fulfilled life

GoodBoi1:

Because there are job offers. You seem to be misinformed; you do not need a petroleum engineering degree to work in the oil and gas industry. Various disciplines (not just engineering) are integrated to achieve a common goal.
http://careers.chevron.com/global_operations/country_operations/angola/ https://www.nairaland.com/1807528/offshore-oil-workerlets-meet-here#25110491

Feraz:

N.B: Then again, I am not generalizing in the above write-up neither am I saying one should not work in the oil/gas sector because every branch of Engineering is needed in the sector. Thank you.

naijanoni:
As a mechanical engineering student,tbh in the 4 yrs i've spent in school so far i dont think i've learnt much.
The mentality of both the students and lecturers here is 'cram and get good grades'.
The lecturers even endorse this.
We cram mathematics,cram calculations,cram everything.No practical works.
All we do is cram !!!
Cram to pass a course,even if it means forgetting everything u crammed hours after the exam.
[b]Right now I'm not depending on school for knowledge,
I'm learning on my own,[/b]because depending on school is just a waste of time.

naijanoni:
As a mechanical engineering student,tbh in the 4 yrs i've spent in school so far i dont think i've learnt much.
The mentality of both the students and lecturers here is 'cram and get good grades'.
The lecturers even endorse this.
We cram mathematics,cram calculations,cram everything.No practical works.
All we do is cram !!!
Cram to pass a course,even if it means forgetting everything u crammed hours after the exam.
Right now I'm not depending on school for knowledge,
I'm learning on my own,because depending on school is just a waste of time.

naijanoni:
As a mechanical engineering student,tbh in the 4 yrs i've spent in school so far i dont think i've learnt much.
The mentality of both the students and lecturers here is 'cram and get good grades'.
The lecturers even endorse this.
We cram mathematics,cram calculations,cram everything.No practical works.
All we do is cram !!!
Cram to pass a course,even if it means forgetting everything u crammed hours after the exam.
Right now I'm not depending on school for knowledge,
I'm learning on my own,because depending on school is just a waste of time.

chizzy94:

Chemical Engineering. What about you?

Tiimmy:
[/quote][quote author=Tiimmy post=27775422]I totally disagree with you here sir. If you think Engineers in the Oil & Gas industry do absolutely nothing and yet get paid ridiculous amount of money then you really need to have a re-think.

I assume you do not work currently in the Oil & Gas industry, thats probably why its so easy to jump into unrealistic conclusions. There is a great deal of brain work involved here sir, and working conditions (depending on where one is posted) is'nt as "conducive" as you stated. Health risks is also involved in this line of duty (hence the high salary in most cases).

Tiimmy:
It will surprise you to know sir, that in terms of number, there are actually more Mechanical Engineers in the oil & gas industry than any other field of Engineering. As a matter of fact sir, there are actually more Elect-Elect Engineers than Petroleum Engineers in the industry. Try and do some research on this...

Tiimmy:
I happen to be a Mechanical Engineer too sir (with relevant working experience in different sectors - oil & gas included), and its really sad to see that a fellow Mechanical Engineer knows very little about this wonderful field. That being said, the focus on oil & gas in Nigeria has little to do with indigenous Engineers or Investors for that matter; its more of a governmental issue. The Agricultural Industry and many more noble industries are suffering same fate as we speak. The light issue is more than enough reason for Investors to think twice. Oil & Gas industries on the other hand wouldn't mind spending to power their industries, as the excesses would be transferred to the prices of oil in the market.

Tiimmy:
Very surprising statement sir, especially with the "local content" act taking full effect. More indigenous Engineers are getting jobs for this singular act. Are you aware that "Saipem" was banned for violation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGID) Act Research harder bro. If you do not know, simply ask. Are they performing superbly?? NO, but they are not as insignificant/usless as you make them seem.

Generally I think the OP is just a year 3rd or year 4th student (might not be an Engineering student), with deluded ideas about things he knows very little about. Or a recent graduate frustrated by his inability to hold down a job.. No offence meant here bro, but as Enlightening as you think this post is, it is very much flawed with absurd assumptions.

Also, for anything I am ignorant about in the above write-up, please, do correct me as I am still acquiring knowledge. Then again, I am not generalizing in the above write-up neither am I saying one should not work in the oil/gas sector because every branch of Engineering is needed in the sector.

Truckpusher:
Op is a deluded fellow for thinking that Engineers in the Oil and Gas industry just sits in their offices doing nothing while the alerts keep coming.


The Oil and Gas Engineering jobs is a daunting task and requires you to be on top of your game every now and then as you would be working across the globe sometimes coming into contact and competing with people of different Nationalities and expertise and again the stress of working for an Oil and Gas major outfit is not for the faint hearted because for every kobo you get from them you probably worked your asss off to earn it.

When next you want to make your assertion, you need to do your home work properly before misleading the people in a public forum.

Nice write up though,but your insinuation about the Engineers in the oil and gas industry is the fallacy of the century.

Feraz:
It's funny how you just concluded that I think the Engineers in the oil/gas industry just sit there doing nothing. Did you see where I made reference to the mentality of undergraduates who posses this flawed thinking? But in your bid to point out my flaw, you left the first part of how the write-up was started.
Of course, there may be; I have no idea. All I wanted to do in this write-up was to point out the various fields we Engineers in the country can work on instead of many waiting to work in the oil/gas industry.
I never said I had the knowledge to all that happens in the oil/gas industry. I even alluded to my ignorance about the field in the original write-up. About the government issue, you are right on that but what efforts have we as Engineers made to make the government realize this problem facing us as a nation?
Another flawed assumptions on your part sir, making the same mistake you accused me of. Before I put this write-up, I went through the site for contents of both organisations to see if there was anything new but I was disappointed. No matter how little, they should keep their members informed. Of course, the ideas might be deluded in a country like Nigeria but people who want something different from the norm will agree with me. That being said, is anything wrong if a 3rd or 4th year undergraduate puts up the above because it sounds like no matter what they notice happening around them, they should suck it up; if someone who is frustrated with getting a job puts the above also, is anything wrong? At least, when we stop focusing on one particular commodity and diversify, I believe jobs will be created directly and indirectly and the person will barely have a reason to complain of lack of job.

Then again sir, did you read it till the end? If you did, you'd have seen this part - I made mention of my ignorance here, even Naijababe who works in the oil/gas industry and others saw where I alluded to it. You also hinted that I think only Petroleum Engineers are in the oil/gas industry when I also mentioned that other branches are needed as seen in the phrase bolded; if you didn't read to the end, it is sad that you did not hence your response.

I never said I know it all, neither am I insulting or making a snide remark on any profession. My aim is to help us rethink our priorities as Engineers, see the vast opportunities that abound in the profession and create a common front to achieve this. Thank you also for your numerous corrections.

swhiss:
[/b]
i believe in a short time I'll confidently scream the bolded too...I just got admitted!
so so in love with Civil eng'g.

Swiftboy:
Alright pal I just feel I should point out to some key points in this inspiring post of yours.
Chemical Engineering is the same as Process or Production Engineering. They have branches such as Petroleum,Petro-chemical,Oil-gas,Nuclear,Environmental Engineering etc. This branch of Engineering deals with any processing company. They research and develop.Contrary to what you said, Mechanical Engineers only fabricate plants equipments,the process/chemical Engineer design and manages plants of any industry

Tiimmy:


@bolded, I disagree with you. Chemical Engineering is not the same as Production Engineering. Production Engineering is more of Mechanical Engineering than Chemical Engineering. As a matter of fact some Unis call their Mech. depts "Mechanical & Production Engineering".

Also Mechanical Engineers do not only fabricate plants equipment!!! The internet is a really great place to learn.

Tiimmy:


@bolded, I disagree with you. Chemical Engineering is not the same as Production Engineering. Production Engineering is more of Mechanical Engineering than Chemical Engineering. As a matter of fact some Unis call their Mech. depts "Mechanical & Production Engineering".

Also Mechanical Engineers do not only fabricate plants equipment!!! The internet is a really great place to learn.

Swiftboy:

What do Chemical Engineers Do?

It would take too long to list all the products that are impacted by chemical engineers, but knowing what industries employ them may help you comprehend the scope of their work.

Chemical engineers work in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, design and construction, pulp and paper, petrochemicals, food processing, specialty chemicals, microelectronics, electronic and advanced materials, polymers, business services, biotechnology, and environmental health and safety industries, among others.
Don't make the mistake of thinking that chemical engineers only “make things,” though. Their expertise is also applied in the areas of law, education, publishing, finance, and medicine, as well as in many other fields that require technical training.
http://www.aiche.org/community/students/career-resources-k-12-students-parents/what-do-chemical-engineers-do

COMPARED TO

What Does a Mechanical Engineer Do?

Mechanical engineers are typically involved with the generation, distribution, and use of energy; the processing of materials; the control and automation of manufacturing systems; the design and development of machines; and the solutions to environmental problems.
Mechanical engineers work on teams responsible for developing a wide range of products and systems including, for example, space shuttle vehicles, aircraft of all sizes and shapes, automobiles, turbines, pumps, power plants, and factories.
http://www.me.iastate.edu/jobs/what-does-a-mechanical-engineer-do/
Now tell me which one of them is directly involves in production or processes? let me break it down....these two work hand in hand but Chemical Engineer must always be around plants and monitor process/unit operation to make sure things run smothly base on his knowledge of Chemistry,maths, physics,and other applied sciences. A mech Engineer is about the planning(plant design which cant be done without the ChemENG),fabricate and do maintenance work when need be.But a chem eng on the other hand must be on ground 24/7 at the plant to manage it.Please read about the two oh.Am A chem Eng by the way,bulk of our works rarely involve fabrication,in fact we dont do workshop much.The Mechs does that.We research deeper on processes and productions,they dont do much in that aspect except if its on their machine .I did not really mean Mech Eng are not involves in production....they do infact they are there anywhere there is a machine but the Chemical Engineers are also known as process Engineer.Thanks

Swiftboy:

What do Chemical Engineers Do?

It would take too long to list all the products that are impacted by chemical engineers, but knowing what industries employ them may help you comprehend the scope of their work.

Chemical engineers work in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, design and construction, pulp and paper, petrochemicals, food processing, specialty chemicals, microelectronics, electronic and advanced materials, polymers, business services, biotechnology, and environmental health and safety industries, among others.
Don't make the mistake of thinking that chemical engineers only “make things,” though. Their expertise is also applied in the areas of law, education, publishing, finance, and medicine, as well as in many other fields that require technical training.
http://www.aiche.org/community/students/career-resources-k-12-students-parents/what-do-chemical-engineers-do

COMPARED TO

What Does a Mechanical Engineer Do?

Mechanical engineers are typically involved with the generation, distribution, and use of energy; the processing of materials; the control and automation of manufacturing systems; the design and development of machines; and the solutions to environmental problems.
Mechanical engineers work on teams responsible for developing a wide range of products and systems including, for example, space shuttle vehicles, aircraft of all sizes and shapes, automobiles, turbines, pumps, power plants, and factories.
http://www.me.iastate.edu/jobs/what-does-a-mechanical-engineer-do/
Now tell me which one of them is directly involves in production or processes? let me break it down....these two work hand in hand but Chemical Engineer must always be around plants and monitor process/unit operation to make sure things run smothly base on his knowledge of Chemistry,maths, physics,and other applied sciences. A mech Engineer is about the planning(plant design which cant be done without the ChemENG),fabricate and do maintenance work when need be.But a chem eng on the other hand must be on ground 24/7 at the plant to manage it.Please read about the two oh.Am A chem Eng by the way,bulk of our works rarely involve fabrication,in fact we dont do workshop much.The Mechs does that.We research deeper on processes and productions,they dont do much in that aspect except if its on their machine .I did not really mean Mech Eng are not involves in production....they do infact they are there anywhere there is a machine but the Chemical Engineers are also known as process Engineer.Thanks

Tiimmy:



I can write a whole article with respect to the functions of a Mechanical and a Process Engineer in the oil and gas industry; and it will differ greatly with the stuffs you listed. It will be based on what I get to see on a daily basis.