Experts have called for a redesign of Nigeria’s engineering education system to equip graduates with skills that match the demands of modern technology and national development.

They stressed the need for universities and training institutions to incorporate emerging technologies into engineering curricula while adopting new teaching and assessment approaches that strengthen problem-solving and innovation.

A lecturer at the School of Computing, Engineering and Technology (SOCET) at Robert Gordon University, United Kingdom, Dr Chinedu Ezenkwu, said engineering training must evolve beyond traditional teaching methods to remain relevant in a rapidly changing technological landscape.

Ezenkwu spoke at the World Engineering Day programme organised by the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE), themed “Smart engineering for a sustainable future through innovation and digitalisation.”

He emphasised the need to rethink the assessment process used in training young engineers and recommended modern learning approaches such as flipped classrooms, which encourage interactive learning and improve analytical skills.

According to him, engineering schools must shift focus from conventional memorisation-based learning to the development of metacognitive abilities, including critical thinking, communication, collaboration, leadership, creativity, self-awareness and lifelong learning. He also stressed the importance of integrating artificial intelligence and digital literacy into Nigeria’s education system.

Ezenkwu observed that the ongoing industrial revolution has transformed several sectors, including engineering, where the concept of smart engineering is becoming central to the development of smart cities, smart healthcare systems and smart agricultural solutions.

He explained that smart engineering thrives on the interaction between people, processes and technology to produce data-driven strategies that improve planning and decision-making. “Data provides foresight, insight and hindsight. It enables engineers to predict challenges, optimise systems and design solutions that improve efficiency and sustainability,” he said.

However, he noted that smart engineering cannot flourish in isolation. According to him, it requires supportive government policies, investment in infrastructure, regulatory reforms and stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors. Ezenkwu added that sustainability must be viewed broadly, encompassing environmental, economic and social dimensions.

He further stressed the need for continuous professional development for engineers, deeper collaboration between universities and industry, and greater investment in research and development to strengthen Nigeria’s engineering capacity.

Former National Chairman of NIMechE, Funmi Akingbagbohun, also called for efforts to bridge the capacity gap in the engineering industry through skills development and digital training. She said the global shift towards sustainability is increasingly being driven by digitalisation, which is transforming engineering practice across the world.

According to her, engineers must learn to adapt quickly to technological changes, collaborate across disciplines and move beyond traditional professional boundaries. “Engineering is no longer just about machines and structures. It is about intelligent systems, automation, data-driven decisions and sustainable solutions,” she said.

Akingbagbohun explained that smart engineering integrates technologies such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, digital twins, data analytics and renewable energy systems.

These tools, she said, enable engineers to optimise energy use, reduce waste and emissions, improve system efficiency, enhance predictive maintenance and build more resilient infrastructure.

“As mechanical engineers, we must move beyond conventional practices and embrace digital transformation in our profession,” she said. She noted that Nigeria faces several engineering challenges, including energy inefficiency, ageing infrastructure, industrial capacity gaps and environmental pressures. However, she said these challenges also present opportunities for innovation.

According to her, smart engineering could help improve electricity generation and distribution, digitise manufacturing processes, strengthen local production capacity and support the development of climate-resilient technologies.

She stressed the importance of localising innovation by developing solutions that respond to Nigeria’s socio-economic realities rather than simply adopting foreign models. “If we are to achieve sustainability through digitalisation, our engineers must be trained not only in thermodynamics and mechanics but also in coding, data science, systems integration and cybersecurity,” she said.

She added that smart engineering should promote job creation, support local manufacturing, encourage ethical deployment of technology and ensure inclusiveness in technological advancement.
Another speaker, Mohammed Umaru, stressed the need for developing countries to prioritise access to affordable and sustainable energy, agricultural development and education to maximise the benefits of smart engineering.

Earlier, the National Chairman of NIMechE, Alhassan Mohammed, warned that while digitalisation offers enormous opportunities, it must not deepen inequality. He urged engineers to ensure that innovation and technological advancement are used as tools for national development. “Let us innovate with purpose, digitise responsibly, design sustainably and lead boldly,” he said.