Industrial Tour: Students Gain Hands-on Insight as APWEN  Bridges Gap Between Theory, Practice

Funmi Ogundare

The Association of Professional Women Engineers in Nigeria (APWEN), Lagos Chapter, recently organised an industrial tour of the reconstruction of Old Ojo Road in Agboju for engineering students from the University of Lagos, Lagos State University, and Yaba College of Technology.

The visit aimed to equip and encourage students to stay up to date with modern technology, particularly in road infrastructure.

The Assistant Technical Secretary (ATS) of the APWEN Lagos chapter, Omolola Ogungbile, said the primary objective of the tour was to expose students and young professionals to emerging technologies in road infrastructure, particularly reinforced concrete pavements designed to significantly extend road lifespan.

She noted that the reinforced concrete pavement technology demonstrated during the visit could last 35 to 40 years, compared to the conventional asphalt method, which typically lasts 20 to 25 years.

She stated that the introduction of the new construction method represents a major development in Nigeria’s road infrastructure sector and has broadened participants’ understanding of what is achievable in modern engineering.

Ogungbile described the exercise as an eye-opener, as participants witnessed actual road construction processes, understood technical terminology, and observed how modern equipment enhances productivity.

“We have also secured another opportunity for them to return and see the laboratory work, especially for civil engineering students,” she said.

The ATS stressed that continued exposure to practical learning would strengthen professionalism and better prepare students for future roles in the industry.

Ogungbile advised the students not to take the opportunity for granted, but to consolidate what they had learned and apply it in their studies and future careers.

The Chief Resident Engineer of the project, Bakare Adeniyi, described the tour as a welcome development aimed at encouraging young professionals and exposing them to the integrity and practical realities of the engineering profession.

He said the participants demonstrated enthusiasm during the briefing and asked relevant questions, indicating their readiness to contribute meaningfully to the growth of engineering in Nigeria.

According to him, the project, which commenced in April 2025, has a 24-month duration and has already reached about 60 per cent completion within one year of execution.

He explained that the industrial visit would help bridge the gap between theoretical classroom learning and practical engineering applications, noting that students would observe structural design elements, reinforced concrete pavements, and load-transfer mechanisms used in modern road construction.

He added that the exposure would improve students’ understanding of academic material, as they would be able to relate classroom calculations to real-life construction processes.

The engineer also stated that the road project is designed to be highly durable, noting that the reinforced concrete pavement could last for decades if properly maintained and not abused by road users.

He warned against practices such as blocking drainage channels, dumping refuse, and pouring harmful substances on road surfaces, stressing that proper drainage functionality is critical to pavement stability and longevity.

“If the drainage is not blocked and the road is properly maintained, this pavement is designed to last at least 40 years,” he added.

He urged the students to remain dedicated to their studies and avoid distractions that could derail their academic and professional goals. He emphasised that discipline and focus would enable them to take advantage of opportunities and prepare for future leadership roles in the engineering sector.

A 200-level Computer Engineering student at the University of Lagos, Blessing Esabu, said exposure to practical insights into modern road construction techniques has strengthened her commitment to innovation and efficiency in engineering practice.

She noted that she gained valuable knowledge on how roads are constructed, the materials involved, and the integration of mechanical power to reduce manual labour and improve productivity.

She added that the key takeaway from the session was the importance of innovation in simplifying complex engineering processes and improving outcomes.

According to her, the exposure demonstrated how technological advancements and modern equipment have made engineering work more efficient, a lesson she intends to apply in her academic and future professional pursuits.

Esabu thanked APWEN for the opportunity, saying that such engagements help bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical application for students.