Engineers, under the aegis of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, have advised the Federal Government and other tertiary institution administrators to improve funding and infrastructure facilities in schools.
The group made the call at the recent investiture of its new President, Prof. Azikiwe Onwualu, at a ceremony which was held at the University of Lagos, Yaba.
The investiture also featured the induction of 10 new fellows into the academy as well as the presentation of lifetime awards to some of its deserving fellows.
Speaking on the theme, “Engineering Education in Nigeria: Today, Yesterday and Tomorrow,” a former President of the Academy, Prof Rafiu Salawu, noted that the practical approach to engineering education that was obtainable during the early days had been eroded by the present teaching modules.
Salawu said, “As of 2019, Nigeria had 168 universities. Government-approved 10 about two months ago and we learnt that the national assembly says it has 100 still awaiting approval. We are establishing universities without funding them. Government and establishers must fund universities very properly and provide equipment for learning, and pay teachers.
“Nigerians are sending their children abroad, enriching other countries at our own expense. No one comes here because we don’t have facilities and Nigerian universities have been on strike for many months.”
