The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) on Sunday urged the federal government to increase investment in engineering education to help tackle poverty and employment.

A fellow of NSE and the immediate past chairman of the London, UK branch of the society, Sunday Popoola, made the appeal at a business luncheon and induction of new members of Apapa branch in Lagos.

According to him, the competency of engineers plays a key role in the nation’s prosperity.

He said that a 21st-century engineering student would acquire skills to transform and meet future socio-economic needs in Nigeria.

“Twenty-first-century engineering education creates the ability to start your own business using skills acquired at the university.

“Also, it is a bridge between the education system and employment, creates competent and self-reliant graduates, great economic opportunity for the country, and reduces the poverty level,” he said.

Mr Popoola, who was guest speaker, said that 21st-century engineering education would encourage innovation and technological advancement.

Another NSE fellow, Garba Maikasuwa, stressed that there was a need for Nigeria to raise competent graduates that were ready to create jobs.

Mr Maikasuwa said it would require synergy, funding and commitment on the part of government institutions and industries.

In her remarks, the national vice chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Funmilade Akingbagbohun, said that the country’s educational system in terms of engineering had a lot of flaws.

“One of the key things that need to be done is to change the system from the base, not only from the tertiary education but from the secondary,” she said.

Mrs Akingbagbohun also advocated the training of teachers using STEM and putting teachers through to train the students in ways that would make sciences and mathematics interesting.

She said that with these, “the students will understand the rudiments and foundation of mathematics and sciences that will lead them into engineering.”

(NAN)