From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
A former deputy governor of Osun State and former senator, Iyiola Omisore, has identified the reasons for the erosion of engineering standards, brain drain, ethical breaches, and substandard infrastructure in Nigeria.
According to Omisore, low fees and inadequate innovation are contributors to the erosion of qualified engineers and engineering practices in the country.
In his presentation at the 33rd Engineering Assembly, organised by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Omisore observed that each field of engineering experiences unique challenges stemming from this under-valuation.
“Adverse effects of low fees and remuneration across engineering disciplines in Nigeria. Low fees and inadequate innovation for engineers in Nigeria have contributed to the erosion of engineering standards, brain drain, ethical breaches, and substandard infrastructure. Each field of engineering experiences unique challenges stemming from this under-valuation,” he said.
Omisore observed that over 60 per cent of highly qualified engineers do not want to practise in the country. They migrate to other countries where the profession is respected and valued.
“Over 60 per cent of top-performing engineering graduates have migrated abroad within the last five years due to poor remuneration and lack of respect. Engineering decisions are frequently overridden by non-professionals due to poorly perceived value, leading to ethical erosion. Engineers are pressured to compromise standards in order to meet unrealistic budgets, unstructured innovation, and lack of research funding. Commercial incentives discourage engineer creativity,” he noted.
The former deputy governor also explained that the systemic under-valuation of engineering services in Nigeria is not merely a financial issue; it’s a developmental crisis, exacerbated by over 250 per cent due to inflation and devaluation.
“Even with the capacity differences between, say, analytical and empirical budgets, many government agencies and developers ignore the fee structures,” he stated, adding that over-reliance on foreign consultants due to the loss of local experts, and Niger Delta incidents, are factors contributing to poor engineering standards in Nigeria.
