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Professor of Mechanical Engineering and member of the Governing Council of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Professor Ayodele Samuel Onawumi, of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, has charged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the importation of used and obsolete items such as furniture, machines, cars, and consumer products, especially those over ten years old.
He argued that that prohibition on such imports should be promoted and enacted into law to protect Nigerian industries, ensure safety, and support economic growth.
The don, while delivering the 59th Inaugural Lecture of the University at the weekend, lamented that the alarming rate of imported goods, including used vehicles and consumer products, was a major concern.
Professor Onawumi’s lecture, titled “Wonderfully and Fearfully Made: A Perspective of Man-Made Machine Systems Complexes and Opportunities for Sustainable Engineering Technolog”, was delivered under the distinguished chairmanship of Professor Rasak Olatunde Kalilu, the Vice Chancellor of the University.
He explained that the ergonomic evaluations of such imported machines reveal a significant mismatch with the anthropometric variables of Nigerians, highlighting the need for drastic action.
The professor of mechanical engineering (with specialization in human factor and ergonomics) said, “It is evident that the interaction between two complex systems – man and machine – can lead to an intricate and challenging relationship.
He pointed out that Man-machine system requires careful attention from systems engineers and managers to ensure a harmonious and productive interaction.
“To achieve this, continuous efforts are necessary to optimize the technological system and create a supportive environmental condition. By doing so, we can create a safer, more comfortable, and accident-free world. The industrial situation in Nigeria has reached catastrophic levels, with numerous companies shutting down due to the harsh socio-economic environment and the government’s import-driven economy policy.
“The alarming rate of imported goods, including used vehicles and consumer products, is a major concern. Ergonomic evaluations of these imported machines reveal a significant mismatch with the anthropometric variables of Nigerians, highlighting the need for urgent action. Therefore,
According to him, government should declare a state of emergency on the importation of used and obsolete items, such as furniture, machines, and cars, especially those over ten years old. A prohibition on such imports should be promoted and enacted into law to protect Nigerian industries, ensure safety, and support economic growth.”
He added that local manufacturers should prioritize improving the quality, reliability, and ergonomics of their products and services, noting that such would enhance the competitiveness and user acceptance of locally fabricated products as well as foster user confidence and patronage.
“To drive this initiative, the government should create an enabling environment that promotes and supports locally made products as well as establish a monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance with ergonomic principles during the design, fabrication, and installation stages of product development.
“By implementing these measures, user trust and loyalty to local products will be boosted, reliance on imported good will be reduced, and the overall quality of life will obviously be enhanced,” Onawumi said.
He decried that despite significant advancements in mechanization and computerization, the prioritization of profit over human safety and comfort remains a pressing concern in developing African nations, saying “the absence of anthropometric databases and lack of research in human factors perpetuate this problem. As the self-proclaimed “Giant of Africa,” Nigeria has a critical responsibility to its citizens to address this issue.
“The government and industries must shift their focus towards prioritizing human-centered design and safety. Nigeria government through her relevant parastatals should as a matter of duty develop a comprehensive anthropometric database to inform product design and development.”
The scholar also recommended that government should fund and support research in the areas of human factors and ergonomics to ensure products meet the ergonomic requirement of Nigerian users and encourage industries to adopt human-centered design principles, prioritizing safety, comfort, and usability.
He added that the crucial role of educational institutions in driving sustainable development in local industries cannot be overstated.
While maintaining that the curricula in engineering and applied science programs in Nigerian universities are outdated, Onawumi said such hinder the country in keeping pace with technological advancements in developed countries.
“So, to address this, the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) must spearhead a comprehensive overhaul of the curricula in all science and engineering programs. This will ensure that they align with current technological trends and global standards.
“While Nigerian education has excelled in imparting strong theoretical foundations, it has neglected the practical applications and technological innovations necessary to compete globally. Therefore, institutions must regularly review and update their curricula to incorporate cutting-edge technologies and industry needs. Also foster collaborations with industries and international partners to enhance experiential learning and knowledge transfer. Likewise, the appropriate arm of the Nigerian educational system should focus more effort on hands-on training, research, and development to equip students with innovative problem-solving skills.
“This is the era when Nigerian universities should be able to produce industry-ready graduates with relevant skills and knowledge to drive innovation and entrepreneurship in local industries and enhance Nigeria’s global competitiveness and economic growth.
He also noted that humans, as the most complex component in man-machine-environment, must not be ignored considering their capabilities and limitations, saying
“Ignoring human capabilities and limitations, as informed by anthropometric data and physical structure, can lead to unsafe acts and accidents. It is therefore suggested that research and development units of various organizations should respect and give optimum recognition to human capabilities and limitations and hold their comfort, safety, and health in high esteem.”
He, therefore, recommended that the government should establish a dedicated commission whose mandate will include the collection and collating of anthropometric data (body dimensions); benchmarking and standardizing biometric data; and creating a comprehensive database of all Nigerian residents.
According to him, the initiative will yield numerous benefits, including informed product design and development, enhanced user experience and safety, reduced waste and hazards associated with ill-fitting products, and enhanced cost savings from avoided imports of mismatched items.
