Impact of Engineering in Nigeria’s Drive Towards Development
By Austine Archibong
Unlike the proverbial snail that leaves no trail, the sole contribution of the engineering discipline to the economy of Nigeria is overwhelming. Kofi Annan, former secretary to the United Nations (UN), once defined a developed country as a country that allows all its citizens to enjoy free and healthy life in a safe environment, while the International Monetary Fund (IMF) rates development of countries on most importantly per capita income, then export diversification, degree of integration into the global financial system amongst others.
Economically, all aforementioned benchmarks are inter-related and the engineering profession has been at the forefront of helping the Nigerian economy avoid a southward drive. From the annihilation of drudgery in the agricultural sector to sustainable development in industrial and manufacturing firms, engineering is arguably at the front of human capital development as these are labour intensive outlets. The foreign exchange earned overly leads to economic development.
Re-orientation of social values with regards to technical education is another gain of engineering in the country. A lot of young people have been trained and supervised by practicing engineers on technical skills in skills acquisition and vocational centers and through this avenue the overstretched labour market is made less hampered. Crime rate considerably is reduced and the youths engage in more productive programmes. A clear example is the local amnesty programme given to Niger Delta militants by the former president late Umaru Musa Yar’dua. I’m sure the tranquility being enjoyed now wouldn’t be traded for anything in the world. The tax eventually paid when graduates of this programme establish their entrepreneurial outfits helps in the re-distribution of income.
Obviously, for any burgeoning economy like that of Nigeria to thrive, even in harsh economic environment worsened by increased level of insecurity, the ambience has to be one that supports economic goals: good transport network, reliable energy, access to clean water supply and all other basic amenities. Engineering, which is the application of working knowledge of the physical sciences and technical know-how to solve the unending problems of man, has consistently kept on providing almost adequately all social amenities required as all aforementioned are requirements in ensuring an optimum working environment which invariably affects productivity. In addition, life expectancy is boosted, IMF ratings are up and there is increase in investors’ drive to the country leading to an overall economic development.
From the proliferation of Close Circuit Television {CCTV} to automatic security doors, substantial increase in development and deployment of security gadgets, engineers in Nigeria have been unrelenting in boosting the security level in the country. Internet security measures put in place supports the cashless economy proposition by the incumbent central bank governor Lamido Sanusi. This also helps the nations desire to be integrated into the global financial system as the IMF requires.
Any economist would agree that the primary aim of going into business is to make profit and try to continually increase the profit margin. Industries and firms generally involved in production usually produce wastes. Seamless waste disposals, efficient and eco-friendly waste management are all products of the foresight and managerial prowess of engineers. This has also helped in and conservation for economic ends.
When research institutions make advancement and come up with groundbreaking researches, engineering that has helped the economy to be production driven becomes the prime market for thee research institutions’ and even funds them. Engineering helps with quality control which ensures product reliability and enhances patronage boosts the standard of locally manufactured goods. This leads to export diversification and boosts Gross Domestic Product {GDP}.
Who else but network engineers improve continually information and communication? Proliferation of computer systems is another merit. Energy crisis which could be attributed to a lapse on the part of engineers is not that engineers in Nigeria are not ingenuous but are due to lack of political will to tackle the menace.
Facts from the National Bureau of Statistics show that taxes paid by engineers, engineering firms, oil companies and all other engineering related services supply more than sixty percent of revenue generated from tax.*
In conclusion, the massive impact of engineering cannot be over-emphasized. No deep level of cogitation is required to appreciate the relevance of engineering in Nigeria’s drive towards being a developed country.
Augustine is a 300 level Chemical Engineering student of the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. He can be reached via austine.archibong@gmail.com
*This fact is not referenced, and not the position of JarusHub – Editor
