Academics and engineering students from Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), have urged the Federal Government and other education stakeholders to make significant investments in modern technology infrastructure, stressing that Nigeria must urgently bridge the practical skills gap in engineering education to remain globally competitive.
The appeal was made on Saturday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, following the return of 37 engineering students and two staff members from a 20-day intensive practical training programme at Zhejiang Polytechnic University of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (ZIME) in Hangzhou, China.
The pioneering student exchange programme exposed the participants to cutting-edge technologies and global best practices in engineering education, bridging the gap between classroom theory and real-world industrial application.
Speaking on arrival, the Provost of ABUAD’s College of Engineering, Prof. Moses Onibonoje, described the 20-day practical phase as a transformative milestone for the institution. He explained that the students had previously completed the theoretical component of the three-month programme in Nigeria, which allowed them to adapt seamlessly to ZIME’s advanced environment.
During the hands-on training, the students operated world-class facilities, including programmable logic control (PLC) systems, digital twin laboratories, robotic arm design technologies, advanced Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines, 2D and 3D printers, coordinate milling machines, and sophisticated metrology equipment.
“This is a pioneer programme for the College of Engineering, and the experience has been overwhelming,” Prof. Onibonoje stated. “Our students acquired advanced skills in intelligent manufacturing technology and intelligent control technology. They also gained international exposure and had the opportunity to work with world-class facilities.”
Beyond the technical skills, the Provost noted that the exchange broadened the participants’ professional horizons by exposing them to Chinese work discipline, culture, and rapid infrastructural development. He extended appreciation to the founder of the university, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), noting that the successful partnership has unlocked future academic exchanges and postgraduate scholarship pathways between both institutions.
Echoing the need for an urgent systemic overhaul in Nigeria’s engineering education, an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at ABUAD, Dr. Imhade Princess Okokpujie, lauded the students’ brilliance but noted that local infrastructure remains a major bottleneck.
“Our students demonstrated a high level of intelligence and adaptability throughout the programme. They were actively involved in programming, 3D printing, and advanced manufacturing exercises,” Dr. Okokpujie remarked.
She stressed that while Nigeria has made commendable strides in engineering education, matching China’s technological heights requires substantial, deliberate investments. She urged the government to prioritize upgrading laboratories and workshop facilities nationwide to foster true technological capacity.
The participating students described the trip as an eye-opening reality check regarding the differences in educational systems.
Adeniji Adam Opeyemi, a 500-level Mechanical Engineering student, described the experience as exceptional, noting that the trip brought textbook concepts to life.
“We worked with CNC lathe machines, CNC milling machines, 3D printers, and digital twin systems. These are things we have studied theoretically, but now we have practical knowledge and experience using them,” Opeyemi said.
He pointed out that students in China spend majority of their time in workshops and laboratories rather than conventional classrooms, urging Nigerian authorities to equip local institutions so Nigerian graduates can compete effectively in the global tech space.
Similarly, Judith Obioha, a 500-level Mechatronics Engineering student, expressed delight at the scale of infrastructure available at ZIME, highlighting that there were enough machines for every single student to gain direct, individual experience without crowding.
“We learnt some parts of the Chinese language and culture, visited museums, and experienced life in a technologically advanced country,” Obioha added, commending the clarity and expertise of the Chinese instructors.
The successful completion of the exchange programme underscores ABUAD’s ongoing commitment to forging international alliances and equipping its graduates with the specialized skills needed for emerging global industries in automation, robotics, and intelligent manufacturing systems.