Engineering students and academics at Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, have called on the Federal Government and education stakeholders to invest aggressively in modern technology infrastructure, warning that Nigeria must close its practical learning gap to compete globally.

The appeal followed the return to Lagos of 37 ABUAD engineering students and two staff members from a 20 day advanced practical training programme at the Zhejiang Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering in Hangzhou, China. The pioneering exchange exposed participants to advanced technologies and international best practices, linking classroom theory with real world industrial application.

Provost of ABUAD's College of Engineering, Prof. Moses Onibonoje, described the practical phase as a transformative milestone for the institution, explaining that students had already completed the theoretical component of the three month programme in Nigeria, which allowed them to settle quickly into the ZIME environment. During the training, students worked with programmable logic control systems, digital twin laboratories, robotic arm design technologies, advanced Computer Numerical Control machines, 2D and 3D printers, coordinate milling machines, and metrology equipment.

"This is a pioneer programme for the College of Engineering, and the experience has been overwhelming," Prof. Onibonoje stated, adding that the students acquired advanced skills in intelligent manufacturing and control technology while gaining international exposure to world class facilities.

Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at ABUAD, Dr. Imhade Princess Okokpujie, praised the students' adaptability but noted that local infrastructure remains a major obstacle, stressing that matching China's technological advancement will require deliberate investment in laboratories and workshop facilities nationwide.

Adeniji Adam Opeyemi, a 500 level Mechanical Engineering student, remarked that the trip brought textbook concepts to life through direct work with CNC lathe machines, CNC milling machines, 3D printers, and digital twin systems, and urged Nigerian authorities to equip local Institutions accordingly.

Judith Obioha, a 500 level Mechatronics Engineering student, highlighted the scale of infrastructure at ZIME, noting there were enough machines for every student to gain individual hands on experience, and commended the clarity of the Chinese instructors.

The Provost also thanked the university's founder, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), noting that the partnership has opened pathways for further academic exchanges and postgraduate scholarships between both Institutions.