As part of efforts to deepen town and gown relationship, doctorate and master’s students of Urban Logistics and Transport Management programme of the University of Lagos, has commenced its annual study field trips.

The exercise is an attempt to complement theoretical learning with practicals in order to reinforce lessons and strengthen participants’ understanding through exposing them to real logistical operations.

The participants have kicked off the visits with a stopover at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Breweries, where they learned the nitty-gritty of logistics within the two bodies daily operations.

The students were also at Chevron, Dangote and NIMASA to understudy the organisations’ daily logistics operations.

The facilitator, Dr Olayinka Agunloye, an Associate Professor of Transportation Planning and Logistics, stated that the field trip was more than just an excursion. He said that it was an opportunity for participants to listen to industry experts who can show them the relevance of what is learnt in class.

Agunloye explained that industry and academic experts facilitated classes with the participants initially, adding that the field trips offer an opportunity to update the lessons by listening to experts who currently work in the industry.

Speaking on the lessons learned during the exercise at the Nigerian Breweries, Aguloye said: “We have heard a lot of things about their 3PL operation for their outbound. We have heard about their inbound logistics.

We have heard about their production logistics, even up to the quality assurance content. In fact, they took us through, making us see what we have been doing in the classroom, as it also relates to the seven rights of logistics. We had enough examples in the right condition and the right quality that we have studied, and we had the practical examples as we have come to the Nigerian Breweries.”

He revealed that the programme is held annually and that in previous years, the exercise had taken place in places like Shell, Free Trade Zone, and Nigerian Railway.

“But this year, we have chosen the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, the Nigerian Breweries, Chevron, Dangote Refinery, and NIMASA. It has been overwhelming. We have really learnt a lot,” he said.

One of the students, Mr. Mubarak Gbajabiamila, explained that he and his colleagues have been able to get practical insight is relevant to their course of study.

Another participant, Mrs. Stella Inyiama, said the exercise has been impactful, adding that she learnt a lot from the explanation provided by Nigerian Breweries about its logistics operation.