A former academic staff member of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Engr. Felix Olufemi Ayodele, has charged young Nigerian engineers to look beyond academic certificates and acquire practical skills capable of advancing the country’s technological development.
Ayodele gave the charge during the presentation of prizes and awards to outstanding lecturers and students of the Department of Civil Engineering of the institution at its main campus in Ado-Ekiti.
He explained that the initiative was motivated by his desire to give back to his alma mater and the society that contributed to shaping his professional career, while urging beneficiaries to remain patient, dedicated and committed to professional growth and excellence.
The structural engineer urged students to prioritise practical competence and innovative thinking to prepare for emerging technological challenges, noting that academic qualifications alone were insufficient to drive national development without requisite technical expertise.
Citing China, Japan and Singapore as examples, Ayodele observed that their technological advancement was largely driven by sustained investment in practical skills, innovation and effective application of knowledge.
He argued that the difference was not necessarily in the intellectual capacity of Nigerian engineers compared with their counterparts in developed countries, but in the ingenuity, professionalism and practical expertise deployed on assignments.
Ayodele expressed concern over recurring incidents of building collapse across the country, attributing the trend in part to lapses in professionalism and inadequate supervision of construction projects.
He stressed the need for structural engineers to discharge their responsibilities diligently, particularly in monitoring construction processes and ensuring that approved, high-quality materials were used to guarantee structural integrity and protect lives.
According to him, strict adherence to professional standards and construction regulations remains essential to preventing avoidable disasters and restoring public confidence in the construction industry.
The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Dr. Temitope Alake, represented at the event, commended Ayodele for investing in the academic and professional development of younger generations.
Describing the gesture as a welcome departure from conventional practices, the Rector said such initiatives could inspire students to pursue excellence while reinforcing values of hard work, discipline and perseverance.
“A country does not become great because it has natural resources. Nigeria, with its petroleum and other natural resources, is still poor compared with countries like Japan, China and Singapore. We must use our brains. Education is not a scam, but something important, and that is why we talk about a knowledge economy. This is the way for us to go,” he said.
Other speakers at the event applauded Ayodele for remembering his alma mater and supporting academic advancement decades after leaving the institution.
As part of the initiative, Ayodele presented awards and cash prizes to four recipients in recognition of their contributions and outstanding performances.
The recipients were Dr. Ige Samuel Ayeni, who emerged Lecturer of the Year and received ₦500,000; Oladiran Olawale, Best HND Student in Structures and Related Courses, ₦100,000; Anonyo Ozioma Friday, Best ND Student in Workshop Technology, ₦50,000; and Kehinde Raymond, Outstanding Academic Performance, ₦50,000.
In an interview, Dr. Ayeni reinforced the need for young engineers to develop practical skills and technical expertise, emphasising that certificates alone could not provide solutions required to move Nigeria forward.
The event was attended by academic and non-academic staff, students of the Polytechnic and other guests from within and outside the institution.
