Why are young engineers so few in Nigeria

This article is not to discourage young aspiring engineers but to simply prepare them for the civil engineering sector of the country. Engineering sector is a notable one in Nigeria but young civil engineers are constantly not showing interest in the sector due to the challenge in relating school learning and labour market.

I had a conversation with some of my civil engineering friends and they are not really happy about the sector. Some of them feel that the sector is not favourable for the young. They feel that lack of motivation from the leaders especially to constantly challenge the younger engineers has reduced.

During the 2017 Nigeria Society of Engineers, National Engineering conference and Annual general meeting that held in November at Chida event centre, Utako, Abuja with the theme ”Diversification of Nigeria Economy: Engineering Perspective” there was no objective that focused on how to develop and grow the sector to benefit the young aspiring engineers.

In my undergraduate days, as a young excited civil engineer, i had the passion to learn something new especially when it comes to structural design. I still remember how i will wake up in the early hours of the morning and start picturing a structural design that will stand the test of time, but all that dream started diminishing when on the first day of structural design class, the lecturer only stayed in the room for under 45 minutes for a 2 hours lecture. I got home feeling very sad but still had hope that things will change.

The next day had been even worse because instead of the lecturer facing us while teaching, he only read what Engineer in society is from his lecture note which was very bad.

During my National Youth service Corp (NYSC) program in Lagos, my Primary Place of Assignment (PPA) had been a school. The experience further distanced me from my original field of studies which was a bit frustrating. The annoying part had been me spending the whole year doing something different from what i studied while in school.

After spending the year doing an educationist job, the passion for the field drops which now makes young engineers start looking for any job that can meet their needs and their families.

REASON FOR FEW YOUNG ENGINEERS

1. Desirable salaries from different sector

2. Reduced motivation after the mandatory National Youth Service Corp

3. Lack of passion for the industry

4. Lack of training for new engineers

5. Lack of quality engineers

In summary, a system is expected to be developed by the government to help the young engineers. The engineering bodies (COREN and NSE) should have a plan in their next general meeting to focus on young engineers that still have passion for the sector.