₦airaland Forum

Going to the higher institution affected my creativity as a natural engineer.
We are still using archaic British curriculum, we lacked hands-on experience in workshop practice and we were even handled by non academic staff in the workshop, after that we write reports and submit to the lecturer. Our concerns were majorly about passing our courses and not research and inventions.
As a kid I could do a lot such as dismantling electronics and constantly racking my brain about how machines and things work.

I am a serious advocate of overhauling the engineering curriculum in Nigeria, we need to look at advanced industrialized countries and study their systems, that's why expatriates in those industries prefer to work with those technicians calling themselves engineers than our graduates!

Yes , it is because you won't get any job ....I studied mechanical engineering, grad since 2015 till now I never see job ....na based on hustle person take dey manage life

You have said it all

othermen:
As a young fellow getting started in his career, you are doing great observing what may be prevalent.

I think young people should try to get some education about their chances- as you have or as you desire before going to the university to study any course.

You have to consider which is foremost to you- is it to have a successful career in whatever endeavour or to become a successful engineer; if it is the former, such that you are desiring a career for the success output, you may need to assess other courses aside Engineering that may provide readily available opportunities for you.

Increasingly, renowned courses like Law and Engineering needs to be re-assessed by those aspiring for a career in either. Most people are rather desiring for paid employment, when the fields actually has several opportunities to be self-employed, becoming a consulting professional or getting into some start-up.

Engineering is a wonderful course- however the formal labour market in Nigeria may not be so much great or wonderful for the discipline.

While there seem to be far limited formal opportunities for engineers than there are engineers, for those that persevere, and got opportunity to practice in their field- they often have the best outcomes in terms of prosperity when compared with other disciplines. (Check Aerospace Engineering).

There are some engineering courses that gives you significant edge in the informal labour market. Such that you can start your own enterprise right away and become an employer of labour as well. Now, the difficulty with this is the cost of start up and the competence we have instilled which is not geared towards self sufficiency or entrepreneurial spirit. Engineering, accounting or finance, medicine among others are all professional courses that don't require additional post-graduate degrees to maximise the opportunities they may afford. You just have to have right mindset of problem identification and solving to being a structural analyst.

Most engineers that went through Nigeria universities have had little exposure to practical training in Engineering. The universities have focused more on theoretical engineering- when engineering is mostly a practical course. The faculties could have been innovative in building massive workshop that can help instill the requisite skills that would propel a desirable career in most of their alumni; however they are frustrated by the nonchalance of the FG which has crushed what should be the faculty imagination.

What then is the option left to the engineer who can’t get a chance in the formal engineering labour market or who don’t have the resource for a start up?

So a civil engineer for instance could personally take on the supervision of construction or re-construction of housing units or other building structures- massive ones and the small residential ones. In many residential areas in Lagos, you have civil engineers approach owners of old building structures with great plans to pull down and reconstruct the buildings at their own cost, while such arrangement gives them some form of leasehold on the newly constructed building say a two flats now devolved into a six flats. They could have a long term leasehold on 2 of those flats. Now you don’t have to be a civil engineer to do such, you just need to have the requisite skills. However the Engineering discipline gives a confidence in such prospective customers that non-engineers approaching can offer them. Some civil engineers have made more money more than those working in Shell BP by exploring such.

Mechanical engineers on the other hand, also just need a little support to get started in the informal labour market; in sane schools- they are taught the competence to be able to design about anything. As at today, the universities may not offer as much technical skills as you may see in a polytechnic or some technical schools. The mechanical engineer must be humble enough to realize this. After getting around such, the issue then may be the cost of designing whatsoever they desire designing which may be highly demanding and in a nation that don’t support innovation, you have to look elsewhere. I know mechanical engineers that specialize in plumbing for very big building construction firms - designing and supervising the plumbing. Now, some ignorant mechanical engineers sees plumbing as a mere apprenticeship exercise, but with one’s credentials- you become even more feasible for opportunities. This is aside those, that are probably into constructions or repairs of factory machines and intensive trucks such as drilling machines.

I think ultimately in addition to what you may acquire from this thread - you have to understand that becoming successful as an engineer is a function of your own mindset. And for some people with the right mindset, it is in a place like Nigeria where several things don’t seem to work- that there are opportunities. There is no electricity / then there is a market for affordable power plans such that an electrical engineer who is innovative and adaptable can provide affordable solar energy technology to people. Get on LinkedIn, take a look at the profiles of engineers working in great firms, look at the unique skills they have, look at the career choices they have made. It could help you create your own template.

Don’t make costly assumptions based on what you may find in your immediate environment. Many of those people are products of a dysfunctional mindset or of a mindset compelled by the tragic realities of Nigeria. However if you have incorporated such reality in your methodological mindset, you should excel well in engineering or in any discipline you so choose. Those working in the manufacturing that you have interacted with are mostly products of technical education, and they provide supports and take instructions from the engineers, while those who attended universities that you interact with have little to no technical expertise. Again, if you build a methodological mindset towards your career, engineering can give you so much.

There's technician and there's engineer.
Technician knows how to adjust things.
Engineer knows how to calculate to ensure the right materials are used to build something in a certain way.
-
We're importing a hell of a lot of finished machine and other goods into Nigeria.
And technicians just take those things and be adjusting them up and down. No Engineering in that.
-
Job of engineer has already been done overseas by white men.
I don't know where you can engage in this type of proper Mechanical Engineering in Nigeria except you start your own factory.

It is not.

trueSeeker01:
go learn work forget about school my grand pa was an engineer at big company in my state. his employer even took him to london to fix engines for them the old man did not attend any university may his soul continue to rest in peace

come carry me too go London biko

advanceDNA:
U better go do nursing or IT courses...... e get why.....u gats flow with the tide of times and season

IT is the best. Job opportunities are blowing up.

Most engineering graduates can't build a bungalow.

Those guys building mobile apps in Lagos don't go school o. They just get brains.

Nnaemiemax:
By 2030, more than half of the jobs in the world will be STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

If you are not majored in any of these fields, create a niche for yourself in something related to STEM to remain future-relevent.

Hope this helps!!!

What of Accountants, FinTech is booming seriously

Gerrard59:
If you can't do computer science, study mathematics. Most engineering grads have ventured into tech because of the poor career prospects and low pay. Mind you, this is a global phenomenon (engineering grads pivot to finance, tech and consulting because of the meagre salaries for their jobs. Their numerical skills are a great advantage in those industries).

Apt! It is always the numerical skills for me!

selmansee:
I have become skeptical about Engineering in Nigeria

Ever since I was in secondary school, All my teachers who taught me science and mathematics are grduates of engineering, my futher math, physics, Agric ,math and chemistry teachers all had degrees ( B.Sc./B.Eng.) in Engineering. Some studied Agric engineering, civil I can still remember one who studied electrical. From FUNAAB

This got me thinking why do they end up like this, Are there no job market for graduate engineers anymore.
Mind you, I live in a highly industrialized area, where I stay, PZ Cussons, African Steel, Kimberly Clack, Dangote Flour, GB foods e.t.c all have their major facotories here..trust me there are many more but these are the highly ranked onced whom I believe many of you might be familiar with.

But when I interact with many of their engineers who work in these factories and live close to my house, I have never see any one of them who are graduates..not a single one..but they work as in engineers in these huge factories especially PZ cussons, African steel and GB foods.. they are not educated
The educated engineers with degrees, I mostly see them in private schools like mine and they earned nothing more than 28,000. They may be be extra from home teaching and the likes

While I was in SS 1, My geography teacher although didn’t study engineering but material science from FUTO (one of my dream school) and he was my teacher in his early 30s earning less than 30k..
The man who tutored me for my WAEC studied Mech.eng from UNIBEN. another tutor whom I wasn’t so close to but I got to know from colleagues that he also studied Mech.eng from Yabatech.
I know a friend whose father is a university dropout but works in Promasidor at Oshodi, they make Cowbell milk and Onga (I think).. and the father is an engineer there..I am confused, How?

I have passion for engineering but I don’t want to foolishly think that my case might be different.
Nairalanders who know a thing or two about the realities engineering in Nigeria
Please, what extra things do engineering students need to learn to ensure after graduation they are able to practice in their field or work in major manufacturing firms like I aspire.


I want to study Mechanical engineering or elect elect. I am still confused..Please I’ll really appreciate if y’all can help

expand your horizons

when i was in secondary school, my dad was asking around about careers and people told him architecture no dey pay

years later, i was in lagos as an engineer on projects and i was meeting with successful architects everywhere

i know what you mean about all these industrial estates.

i did my nysc in aluminum rolling mills ota, where a senior manager was bragging about having 100k in the bank [2003]

EVERY career pays in this country - if you expand your horizons and are ready to capture opportunities as they come

what you may say is if you are an engineer in an industry where the stars are other academic disciplines, you may have a slower career progression.

selmansee:
I have become skeptical about Engineering in Nigeria

Ever since I was in secondary school, All my teachers who taught me science and mathematics are grduates of engineering, my futher math, physics, Agric ,math and chemistry teachers all had degrees ( B.Sc./B.Eng.) in Engineering. Some studied Agric engineering, civil I can still remember one who studied electrical. From FUNAAB

This got me thinking why do they end up like this, Are there no job market for graduate engineers anymore.
Mind you, I live in a highly industrialized area, where I stay, PZ Cussons, African Steel, Kimberly Clack, Dangote Flour, GB foods e.t.c all have their major facotories here..trust me there are many more but these are the highly ranked onced whom I believe many of you might be familiar with.

But when I interact with many of their engineers who work in these factories and live close to my house, I have never see any one of them who are graduates..not a single one..but they work as in engineers in these huge factories especially PZ cussons, African steel and GB foods.. they are not educated
The educated engineers with degrees, I mostly see them in private schools like mine and they earned nothing more than 28,000. They may be be extra from home teaching and the likes

While I was in SS 1, My geography teacher although didn’t study engineering but material science from FUTO (one of my dream school) and he was my teacher in his early 30s earning less than 30k..
The man who tutored me for my WAEC studied Mech.eng from UNIBEN. another tutor whom I wasn’t so close to but I got to know from colleagues that he also studied Mech.eng from Yabatech.
I know a friend whose father is a university dropout but works in Promasidor at Oshodi, they make Cowbell milk and Onga (I think).. and the father is an engineer there..I am confused, How?

I have passion for engineering but I don’t want to foolishly think that my case might be different.
Nairalanders who know a thing or two about the realities engineering in Nigeria
Please, what extra things do engineering students need to learn to ensure after graduation they are able to practice in their field or work in major manufacturing firms like I aspire.


I want to study Mechanical engineering or elect elect. I am still confused..Please I’ll really appreciate if y’all can help

If ur aim is to work for a manufacturing company like the ones u mentioned above and u want to work as an engineer, just go and get an ND or trade test result
U done need a university degree to work for them as an engineer.
I once worked for one of the companies u mentioned above with my B.Eng result but I was tired because the job they do there ain't for degree holders, that's why dey look for ND or trade test people
Even master degree holders are there and u are on same salary scale as ND holders because u are doin same work
I had to switch to tech abeg
Please goan study computer science and in four years, you are out

selmansee:
I have become skeptical about Engineering in Nigeria

Ever since I was in secondary school, All my teachers who taught me science and mathematics are grduates of engineering, my futher math, physics, Agric ,math and chemistry teachers all had degrees ( B.Sc./B.Eng.) in Engineering. Some studied Agric engineering, civil I can still remember one who studied electrical. From FUNAAB

This got me thinking why do they end up like this, Are there no job market for graduate engineers anymore.
Mind you, I live in a highly industrialized area, where I stay, PZ Cussons, African Steel, Kimberly Clack, Dangote Flour, GB foods e.t.c all have their major facotories here..trust me there are many more but these are the highly ranked onced whom I believe many of you might be familiar with.

But when I interact with many of their engineers who work in these factories and live close to my house, I have never see any one of them who are graduates..not a single one..but they work as in engineers in these huge factories especially PZ cussons, African steel and GB foods.. they are not educated
The educated engineers with degrees, I mostly see them in private schools like mine and they earned nothing more than 28,000. They may be be extra from home teaching and the likes

While I was in SS 1, My geography teacher although didn’t study engineering but material science from FUTO (one of my dream school) and he was my teacher in his early 30s earning less than 30k..
The man who tutored me for my WAEC studied Mech.eng from UNIBEN. another tutor whom I wasn’t so close to but I got to know from colleagues that he also studied Mech.eng from Yabatech.
I know a friend whose father is a university dropout but works in Promasidor at Oshodi, they make Cowbell milk and Onga (I think).. and the father is an engineer there..I am confused, How?

I have passion for engineering but I don’t want to foolishly think that my case might be different.
Nairalanders who know a thing or two about the realities engineering in Nigeria
Please, what extra things do engineering students need to learn to ensure after graduation they are able to practice in their field or work in major manufacturing firms like I aspire.


I want to study Mechanical engineering or elect elect. I am still confused..Please I’ll really appreciate if y’all can help

Study software engineering... I think futo does it....

selmansee:
I have become skeptical about Engineering in Nigeria

Ever since I was in secondary school, All my teachers who taught me science and mathematics are grduates of engineering, my futher math, physics, Agric ,math and chemistry teachers all had degrees ( B.Sc./B.Eng.) in Engineering. Some studied Agric engineering, civil I can still remember one who studied electrical. From FUNAAB

This got me thinking why do they end up like this, Are there no job market for graduate engineers anymore.
Mind you, I live in a highly industrialized area, where I stay, PZ Cussons, African Steel, Kimberly Clack, Dangote Flour, GB foods e.t.c all have their major facotories here..trust me there are many more but these are the highly ranked onced whom I believe many of you might be familiar with.

But when I interact with many of their engineers who work in these factories and live close to my house, I have never see any one of them who are graduates..not a single one..but they work as in engineers in these huge factories especially PZ cussons, African steel and GB foods.. they are not educated
The educated engineers with degrees, I mostly see them in private schools like mine and they earned nothing more than 28,000. They may be be extra from home teaching and the likes

While I was in SS 1, My geography teacher although didn’t study engineering but material science from FUTO (one of my dream school) and he was my teacher in his early 30s earning less than 30k..
The man who tutored me for my WAEC studied Mech.eng from UNIBEN. another tutor whom I wasn’t so close to but I got to know from colleagues that he also studied Mech.eng from Yabatech.
I know a friend whose father is a university dropout but works in Promasidor at Oshodi, they make Cowbell milk and Onga (I think).. and the father is an engineer there..I am confused, How?

I have passion for engineering but I don’t want to foolishly think that my case might be different.
Nairalanders who know a thing or two about the realities engineering in Nigeria
Please, what extra things do engineering students need to learn to ensure after graduation they are able to practice in their field or work in major manufacturing firms like I aspire.


I want to study Mechanical engineering or elect elect. I am still confused..Please I’ll really appreciate if y’all can help

the only course that’s no longer a scam in Nigeria is medicine.or health related courses.

Hh

selmansee:
I have become skeptical about Engineering in Nigeria

Ever since I was in secondary school, All my teachers who taught me science and mathematics are grduates of engineering, my futher math, physics, Agric ,math and chemistry teachers all had degrees ( B.Sc./B.Eng.) in Engineering. Some studied Agric engineering, civil I can still remember one who studied electrical. From FUNAAB

This got me thinking why do they end up like this, Are there no job market for graduate engineers anymore.
Mind you, I live in a highly industrialized area, where I stay, PZ Cussons, African Steel, Kimberly Clack, Dangote Flour, GB foods e.t.c all have their major facotories here..trust me there are many more but these are the highly ranked onced whom I believe many of you might be familiar with.

But when I interact with many of their engineers who work in these factories and live close to my house, I have never see any one of them who are graduates..not a single one..but they work as in engineers in these huge factories especially PZ cussons, African steel and GB foods.. they are not educated
The educated engineers with degrees, I mostly see them in private schools like mine and they earned nothing more than 28,000. They may be be extra from home teaching and the likes

While I was in SS 1, My geography teacher although didn’t study engineering but material science from FUTO (one of my dream school) and he was my teacher in his early 30s earning less than 30k..
The man who tutored me for my WAEC studied Mech.eng from UNIBEN. another tutor whom I wasn’t so close to but I got to know from colleagues that he also studied Mech.eng from Yabatech.
I know a friend whose father is a university dropout but works in Promasidor at Oshodi, they make Cowbell milk and Onga (I think).. and the father is an engineer there..I am confused, How?

I have passion for engineering but I don’t want to foolishly think that my case might be different.
Nairalanders who know a thing or two about the realities engineering in Nigeria
Please, what extra things do engineering students need to learn to ensure after graduation they are able to practice in their field or work in major manufacturing firms like I aspire.


I want to study Mechanical engineering or elect elect. I am still confused..Please I’ll really appreciate if y’all can help

Did you notice that Engineering graduates of some schools like UNILAG, UI etc are missing from your list.

The university that you attend equally matter, in fact, the most important. Top organizations love to associate with universities with top brands.

Employers know that to get into Engineering in UNILAG, for example, you must have a minimum of credit in Further Maths and those 5 other basic science subjects other universities accept .

One of the CEO of those companies you listed above who I know won't even hire 'engineers' from those schools you listed and I know another company on your list that its MD is an Engineer andvactually studied civil Engineering and finished from UNILAG.

Lorokan,leave nairaland and social media, go and study very hard to get into top schools for Engineering and see the difference.
Studying Engineering is not a scam.
check my signature for freebies!

Amodi470:
What of Accountants, FinTech is booming seriously

The basis and tools of FinTech are still embedded in 'STEM'

jesmond3945:
I think Engineering is a problem solving degree. We have need for Engineers and their services in Nigeria. However, the system is in a big mess. There is so much corruption. For example the 18 billion that was used to clear bush would have engaged at least 100k engineers for 6 months. Do you know how much government would have generated from the value chain? So thats the problem. Now as an engineer there are skills you have to build in order to break even. You need the theoretical know how which the University teaches. You need technical which you learn from internship, on the street, on your own and so on. You need marketing skills to sell yourself. You need political skills to engage government to take notice of your craft. However, most graduates stop at the first part thats why they end up as teachers. Those who reach the last part are the ones who are balling.
Finally, the engineering family in Nigeria is only on paper. If I am an Engineer and I get a billion naira contract, I am supposed to look for my fellow Engineers to do the job likewise you getting a contract and bringing me onboard. But what we see is sabotage. They prefer to bring foreigners and unqualified people.
The political class and the elite dont value our engineers, a good example is the Dangote refinery were indians ran the show. Imagine indians running the show in your country.
My advise Op is to go for Engineering but try and get IT skills especially programming.
With a programming skill you dont need a political and you need some marketing skill in order to monetize your craft.

Hello sir. I love your reply. I just want to ask a question and I would appreciate it if you answer. I wanted to study computer science but by fate,what was available for me was Computer Engineering, and I have always wanted to be a programmer who knows about software and also deals with hardware like making phones and creating the ROM and RAM myself, and also want to learn a bit about developing AI , please do you encourage I take up the computer engineering or wait till I can get computer science? I had made my researches and I could decipher the fact that computer engineering deals with both software and hardware (some universities call it computer science and engineering) but aggregating it finally to the Nigerian system is what baffles me...please any tangible suggestion would be welcomed. Thanks in advance

Having a passion for Engineering is not a reason to get a degree in the field.

As someone said above, except for a few countries, Engineers salary tend to be on the low side. Many simply can't find a suitable job. The situation in Nigeria is even worse.

Mathematics or Physics may be a better option if you get good grades to proceed abroad for Masters in another field.

Otherwise, medicine, nursing, IT etc are better options for science students. You can take these skills abroad more easily.

Your geography teacher studied Material Science isn’t that a branch in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering? I know second year students of Engineering offer a course called Engr 201 - Materials Science. Depending on the university the course code maybe different.

selmansee:
I have become skeptical about Engineering in Nigeria

Ever since I was in secondary school, All my teachers who taught me science and mathematics are grduates of engineering, my futher math, physics, Agric ,math and chemistry teachers all had degrees ( B.Sc./B.Eng.) in Engineering. Some studied Agric engineering, civil I can still remember one who studied electrical. From FUNAAB

This got me thinking why do they end up like this, Are there no job market for graduate engineers anymore.
Mind you, I live in a highly industrialized area, where I stay, PZ Cussons, African Steel, Kimberly Clack, Dangote Flour, GB foods e.t.c all have their major facotories here..trust me there are many more but these are the highly ranked onced whom I believe many of you might be familiar with.

But when I interact with many of their engineers who work in these factories and live close to my house, I have never see any one of them who are graduates..not a single one..but they work as in engineers in these huge factories especially PZ cussons, African steel and GB foods.. they are not educated
The educated engineers with degrees, I mostly see them in private schools like mine and they earned nothing more than 28,000. They may be be extra from home teaching and the likes

While I was in SS 1, My geography teacher although didn’t study engineering but material science from FUTO (one of my dream school) and he was my teacher in his early 30s earning less than 30k..
The man who tutored me for my WAEC studied Mech.eng from UNIBEN. another tutor whom I wasn’t so close to but I got to know from colleagues that he also studied Mech.eng from Yabatech.
I know a friend whose father is a university dropout but works in Promasidor at Oshodi, they make Cowbell milk and Onga (I think).. and the father is an engineer there..I am confused, How?

I have passion for engineering but I don’t want to foolishly think that my case might be different.
Nairalanders who know a thing or two about the realities engineering in Nigeria
Please, what extra things do engineering students need to learn to ensure after graduation they are able to practice in their field or work in major manufacturing firms like I aspire.


I want to study Mechanical engineering or elect elect. I am still confused..Please I’ll really appreciate if y’all can help

The thing you need to understand is that a degree is not what it used to be all over the world but especially in Nigeria.

1) in Nigeria the standard of education has fallen, so a degree in most fields is no better than "0" levels 50 years ago plus every dick and harry has a degree. So if you get a degree in a Nigerian University, today it must be a targeted degree in a targeted institution. Back in the day such was the standard of education that you could get a bank job as a secondary school leaver and rise to become director, today you get a degree and are stuck as a contract bank teller.

2) Skill Certification is more valued in today's world. Increasingly Employers require employees who have expert knowledge in a particular product. For instance you have a computer science degree..thats your business, most employers needs someone who has a particular software certification...your degree is only an advantage, the guy who has no degree but certification will get the job over you with a computer science degree but no certification.

A degree does not guarantee you anything anymore, especially a Nigerian University degree, that is not to say it is worthless but you have to add to your degree to stand out and know the type of degree and the type of University. There are some universities and courses you go to in Nigeria and you are just wasting 4 years of your life....no employer rates your course or University. Thats why many graduates end up as sales reps or teachers on minimum wage jobs or even drivers. When you hear such stories ask which Universities they attended and which courses they did.

Chyma231:
Yes , it is because you won't get any job ....I studied mechanical engineering, grad since 2015 till now I never see job ....na based on hustle person take dey manage life

Can you design with Autocad MEP or Revit

Not just engineering, schooling in Nigeria is a scam, but SCHOOL no be SCAM.

EmmanuelBlaze04:
Hello sir. I love your reply. I just want to ask a question and I would appreciate it if you answer. I wanted to study computer science but by fate,what was available for me was Computer Engineering, and I have always wanted to be a programmer who knows about software and also deals with hardware like making phones and creating the ROM and RAM myself, and also want to learn a bit about developing AI , please do you encourage I take up the computer engineering or wait till I can get computer science? I had made my researches and I could decipher the fact that computer engineering deals with both software and hardware (some universities call it computer science and engineering) but aggregating it finally to the Nigerian system is what baffles me...please any tangible suggestion would be welcomed. Thanks in advance

Go for computer engineering

Op study Mechanical Engineering with at least 2.1 (If possible, First Class) if you consider the Aerospace Engineering for advanced degrees in the US (PhD to BSc without MSc).

Study electrical electronic engineering then major in Automation or programming. Also, consider advanved degree in abroad for MSc and PhD.

Pls don't study Mathematics or Physics. E get why.

selmansee:
I have become skeptical about Engineering in Nigeria

Ever since I was in secondary school, All my teachers who taught me science and mathematics are grduates of engineering, my futher math, physics, Agric ,math and chemistry teachers all had degrees ( B.Sc./B.Eng.) in Engineering. Some studied Agric engineering, civil I can still remember one who studied electrical. From FUNAAB

This got me thinking why do they end up like this, Are there no job market for graduate engineers anymore.
Mind you, I live in a highly industrialized area, where I stay, PZ Cussons, African Steel, Kimberly Clack, Dangote Flour, GB foods e.t.c all have their major facotories here..trust me there are many more but these are the highly ranked onced whom I believe many of you might be familiar with.

But when I interact with many of their engineers who work in these factories and live close to my house, I have never see any one of them who are graduates..not a single one..but they work as in engineers in these huge factories especially PZ cussons, African steel and GB foods.. they are not educated
The educated engineers with degrees, I mostly see them in private schools like mine and they earned nothing more than 28,000. They may be be extra from home teaching and the likes

While I was in SS 1, My geography teacher although didn’t study engineering but material science from FUTO (one of my dream school) and he was my teacher in his early 30s earning less than 30k..
The man who tutored me for my WAEC studied Mech.eng from UNIBEN. another tutor whom I wasn’t so close to but I got to know from colleagues that he also studied Mech.eng from Yabatech.
I know a friend whose father is a university dropout but works in Promasidor at Oshodi, they make Cowbell milk and Onga (I think).. and the father is an engineer there..I am confused, How?

I have passion for engineering but I don’t want to foolishly think that my case might be different.
Nairalanders who know a thing or two about the realities engineering in Nigeria
Please, what extra things do engineering students need to learn to ensure after graduation they are able to practice in their field or work in major manufacturing firms like I aspire.


I want to study Mechanical engineering or elect elect. I am still confused..Please I’ll really appreciate if y’all can help

As far as nigeria is concerned. The best choice for you, would be computer science. Put all your effort into it and get alot of certification with skills. Do not waste your time studying engineering in nigeria .

DeLaRue:
Having a passion for Engineering is not a reason to get a degree in the field.

As someone said above, except for a few countries, Engineers salary tend to be on the low side. Many simply can't find a suitable job. The situation in Nigeria is even worse.

Mathematics or Physics may be a better option if you get good grades to proceed abroad for Masters in another field.

Otherwise, medicine, nursing, IT etc are better options for science students. You can take these skills abroad more easily.

So, engineering is not a better option to proceed to abroad right?

This is not a fact. Do your research on LinkedIn. Many engineering graduates are taking the PhD route in the US.

othermen:
As a young fellow getting started in his career, you are doing great observing what may be prevalent.

I think young people should try to get some education about their chances- as you have or as you desire before going to the university to study any course.

You have to consider which is foremost to you- is it to have a successful career in whatever endeavour or to become a successful engineer; if it is the former, such that you are desiring a career for the success output, you may need to assess other courses aside Engineering that may provide readily available opportunities for you.

Increasingly, renowned courses like Law and Engineering needs to be re-assessed by those aspiring for a career in either. Most people are rather desiring for paid employment, when the fields actually has several opportunities to be self-employed, becoming a consulting professional or getting into some start-up.

Engineering is a wonderful course- however the formal labour market in Nigeria may not be so much great or wonderful for the discipline.

While there seem to be far limited formal opportunities for engineers than there are engineers, for those that persevere, and got opportunity to practice in their field- they often have the best outcomes in terms of prosperity when compared with other disciplines. (Check Aerospace Engineering).

There are some engineering courses that gives you significant edge in the informal labour market. Such that you can start your own enterprise right away and become an employer of labour as well. Now, the difficulty with this is the cost of start up and the competence we have instilled which is not geared towards self sufficiency or entrepreneurial spirit. Engineering, accounting or finance, medicine among others are all professional courses that don't require additional post-graduate degrees to maximise the opportunities they may afford. You just have to have right mindset of problem identification and solving to being a structural analyst.

Most engineers that went through Nigeria universities have had little exposure to practical training in Engineering. The universities have focused more on theoretical engineering- when engineering is mostly a practical course. The faculties could have been innovative in building massive workshop that can help instill the requisite skills that would propel a desirable career in most of their alumni; however they are frustrated by the nonchalance of the FG which has crushed what should be the faculty imagination.

What then is the option left to the engineer who can’t get a chance in the formal engineering labour market or who don’t have the resource for a start up?

So a civil engineer for instance could personally take on the supervision of construction or re-construction of housing units or other building structures- massive ones and the small residential ones. In many residential areas in Lagos, you have civil engineers approach owners of old building structures with great plans to pull down and reconstruct the buildings at their own cost, while such arrangement gives them some form of leasehold on the newly constructed building say a two flats now devolved into a six flats. They could have a long term leasehold on 2 of those flats. Now you don’t have to be a civil engineer to do such, you just need to have the requisite skills. However the Engineering discipline gives a confidence in such prospective customers that non-engineers approaching can offer them. Some civil engineers have made more money more than those working in Shell BP by exploring such.

Mechanical engineers on the other hand, also just need a little support to get started in the informal labour market; in sane schools- they are taught the competence to be able to design about anything. As at today, the universities may not offer as much technical skills as you may see in a polytechnic or some technical schools. The mechanical engineer must be humble enough to realize this. After getting around such, the issue then may be the cost of designing whatsoever they desire designing which may be highly demanding and in a nation that don’t support innovation, you have to look elsewhere. I know mechanical engineers that specialize in plumbing for very big building construction firms - designing and supervising the plumbing. Now, some ignorant mechanical engineers sees plumbing as a mere apprenticeship exercise, but with one’s credentials- you become even more feasible for opportunities. This is aside those, that are probably into constructions or repairs of factory machines and intensive trucks such as drilling machines.

I think ultimately in addition to what you may acquire from this thread - you have to understand that becoming successful as an engineer is a function of your own mindset. And for some people with the right mindset, it is in a place like Nigeria where several things don’t seem to work- that there are opportunities. There is no electricity / then there is a market for affordable power plans such that an electrical engineer who is innovative and adaptable can provide affordable solar energy technology to people. Get on LinkedIn, take a look at the profiles of engineers working in great firms, look at the unique skills they have, look at the career choices they have made. It could help you create your own template.

Don’t make costly assumptions based on what you may find in your immediate environment. Many of those people are products of a dysfunctional mindset or of a mindset compelled by the tragic realities of Nigeria. However if you have incorporated such reality in your methodological mindset, you should excel well in engineering or in any discipline you so choose. Those working in the manufacturing that you have interacted with are mostly products of technical education, and they provide supports and take instructions from the engineers, while those who attended universities that you interact with have little to no technical expertise. Again, if you build a methodological mindset towards your career, engineering can give you so much.

You are so knowledgeable.
I love Ur composure in this write up.
Well-done

The reality is that a lot of Engineering guys are moving to finance