Engineering education in a developing country: Experiences from Africa

Engineers play an important role in the society in sectors such as building, transportation, water and power because they are vital to the development of a nation. In Nigeria, the education of engineers is carried out at the institutions of higher education (primarily the Universities). The paper presents an insight into the education of engineers in Nigeria highlighting the use of a multi-disciplinary approach alongside a hands-on practical training done in collaboration with local industry. These two initiatives play a major role in ensuring the continued relevance of engineering graduates. The paper introduces the benefits and opportunities for enhancing engineering education in a developing country from major drivers such as the use of the internet, open-source tools and e-learning.