At the 126th Inaugural lecture, Engr. Prof. Ugochukwu Okonkwo pushes for industrial revival, local content development, and stronger engineering-driven economic transformation in Nigeria.
Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, on Thursday, June 11, 2026, hosted its 126th Inaugural Lecture, delivered by Professor Ugochukwu Chuka Okonkwo, a Professor of Mechanical Design and Materials Technology in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering.
The lecture, titled “The Engineer, Materials and Machines: Tributaries with Novelties,” was held at the Chief Zephaniah Madubuko Auditorium, Faculty of Social Sciences.
The event was chaired by the Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Professor Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Hilda N. Osisioma.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor welcomed guests, congratulated the inaugural lecturer and the Faculty of Engineering, and noted that the lecture topic was not only relevant but in tune with the existential realities in the country today.
Describing the inaugural lecture as a significant academic milestone, the Vice Chancellor noted that every professor looks forward to such an occasion.
Delivering the lecture, Professor Okonkwo highlighted the pivotal role of engineers in societal development.
He explained that the word engineer originated from the Latin root ingenium, meaning “cleverness,” emphasising that engineers occupy a unique position where scientific principles and mathematics meet societal needs. According to him, engineers apply scientific knowledge, creativity, and ingenuity to develop products and processes that improve human life and contribute to national growth.
He noted that engineers stand between “what is” and “what could be,” navigating challenges and constraints to provide practical solutions that serve humanity.
Professor Okonkwo also examined the personality traits that distinguish successful engineers. He explained that engineering achievements are often driven by qualities such as analytical thinking, cost consciousness, problem-solving ability, attention to detail, functionality, continuous learning, foresight, passion, inquisitiveness, and focus.
According to him, these traits collectively define the character of a typical engineer and enable them to succeed in solving complex problems.
The inaugural lecturer further explored the importance of materials science and technology in engineering innovation, emphasising that advances in material development directly influence machine performance, industrial productivity, and national development.
He described Materials as the first language of innovation noting that materials are not merely substances but are languages of possibility. He disclosed that each era of material advancement expanded the engineer’s vocabulary while every engineering breakthrough has been anchored in the dominant material available.
“Stone gave way to bronze, bronze to iron, iron to steel. Today is not the age of one material, it is the age of an immense range of materials. We stand in an era where smart materials, composites, biomaterials meta-materials and nano-structured substances are rewriting the limits of what we can create” he stated.
On the contributions of machines to knowledge, the inaugural lecturer who is the current Dean, Faculty of Engineering, NAU, noted that machines extend the capability of human intent. He recalled that from the earliest wheel to today’s autonomous robots, machines amplify force, multiply efficiency, increase speed and deepen precision.
“Machines today no longer merely obey commands-they interpret, adapt and collaborate. Ethical concerns should also be taken seriously, especially now that machines are acquiring autonomy and are becoming intellectual entities”
He disclosed that in the course of his work, they have worked on several machines including mechanising agricultural processes, energy conversion machines, transport machines, processing machines etc.
He listed his contributions to knowledge in the field of engineering systems including works on maintenance workshops, spare parts inventory systems, job –floors scheduling, production mix in factories etc including the development of a spare parts inventory control package called U-SPIC and the development of a robust multipurpose computer queuing model simulator in a maintenance workshop named Ugoo MC QMS.
In conclusion, the inaugural lecturer noted that the lecture has invoked major tributaries where human imagination converges with natural laws, where materials are persuaded into purpose and where machines become extensions of human capability.
“These three elements-the engineer, materials and machines are not isolated domains. Rather, they are tributaries flowing into a single river of novelty and progress that drives industrialisation forward.
“I wish to say that engineers have a privilege. They have the duty to clothe the bare bones of science with life, comfort and hope. No doubt as years go by, people will forget the name of the Engineer behind the work-if they ever knew it at all. Yet that does not diminish us. Our satisfaction lies not in applause but in knowing that our work makes life better, safer and more hopeful for generations to come” he stated.
On recommendations, Prof. Okonkwo called on the Federal Government to ring-fence 20% of every project on laboratory equipment procurement for maintenance, consumables and technician training with feedback reports. “We cannot study materials and machines with chalk” he stated.
He also proposed that by 2035, at least 30% of machine components in the agriculture, oil, and construction sectors should be locally designed and produced by Nigerian engineers.
He called on the FG to revive the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, noting that with clear timelines, the FG can set a 5-year roadmap to produce at least one million tons of liquid steel.
He also urged that 20% of every capital project on laboratory equipment procurement be dedicated to maintenance, consumables, and technician training to strengthen engineering education.
He explained the need for a stronger university–industry–research collaboration, noting that engineering innovations must move from laboratories to real-world commercial use.
Okonkwo further called for greater involvement of university engineering staff in maintaining institutional infrastructure to improve functionality and sustainability.
In his concluding remarks, which he described as a “Final Call,” Professor Okonkwo delivered a thought-provoking message:
“The more we study materials, the more we understand their structure. The more we understand their structure, the more we control their properties.
The more we control their properties, the more we design their performance. The more we design their performance, the more we build reliable machines.
The more we build reliable machines, the more we strengthen industry. The more we strengthen the industry, the more we advance national development.”
“What nature crafts through time, the Engineer accelerates through innovation “he stated.
The lecture attracted academics, researchers, students, industry professionals, and distinguished visitors from within and outside the university community.
Among the notable personalities in attendance were the Vice-Chancellor of Paul University, Awka, Reverend Professor Obiora Nwosu; the Provost, College of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Emmanuel Obidimma; the Provost, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Professor J.K.C. Emejulu, and University Council Member, Engr Professor Paul Okolie, among other dignitaries.
The event provided a platform for intellectual discourse on the vital relationship between engineering, materials technology, machine development, and national advancement, further underscoring UNIZIK’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and research-driven development.