In what looks like a fervent call for a strategic overhaul of Nigeria’s engineering education, Ibukun Phillips, a US-trained systems engineer, has highlighted urgent need to address the glaring skills gap hindering the country’s manufacturing and production sectors.
Referencing a comprehensive study by the British Council on the perceived skills gap in Nigeria, Phillips observed what he described as the critical challenges facing sectors such as ICT, technology, engineering, and manufacturing.
He pointed out the need for collaborative approach involving the government, higher education institutions, and the manufacturing industry to tackle this pressing issue head-on.
In his words: “The theory-heavy curricula of our higher institutions do not align with the practical needs of modern manufacturing industries,” he asserted.
He advocates for concerted efforts to revamp educational programs and foster closer ties between academia and industry through public-private partnerships.
Drawing parallels with advanced economies like the United States, Phillips underscores the importance of government-led initiatives in driving workforce development, stressing the need for tailored strategies to address Nigeria’s unique manufacturing landscape.
Having contributed to a successful tripartite initiative in the US, Phillips shares his experiences working on a National Science Foundation project aimed at bridging the skills gap in manufacturing.
Through innovative competency-based courses, he has trained a significant number of students and professionals, highlighting the potential for similar endeavors in Nigeria.
Phillips also sheds light on the evolving complexities within the manufacturing sector, emphasizing the shift towards model-centric approaches such as model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and digital twins.
He underscores the importance of embracing these technological advancements to remain competitive on a global scale.
Phillips, however, underscored the urgency for Nigeria to prioritize workforce development to position itself as a key player in global manufacturing by 2040.
