Outrage as Nigerian Man Questions Engineering Faculty’s Competence After Professors Allegedly Fail to Fix Faulty Generator

A Nigerian student’s viral video criticizing engineering professors for being unable to fix a faulty generator has sparked widespread debate about the practical relevance of academic knowledge and the quality of technical education in Nigerian universities.

A Nigerian student has ignited widespread debate online after sharing a surprising and thought-provoking encounter at his university’s Faculty of Engineering. The incident, which has quickly gone viral on social media, has left many questioning the real-world capabilities of academic professionals in technical fields.

In the video, the student narrates how he visited the engineering faculty when the department’s diesel generator broke down. To his astonishment, none of the engineering professors present were able to repair the faulty equipment. According to him, the university had to seek external help to resolve the issue, despite having a faculty full of individuals who are supposedly experts in engineering.

The student, visibly frustrated by the situation, raised a critical concern about the relevance of academic qualifications that seemingly do not translate into practical problem-solving skills. He remarked:

“I was in this faculty some time ago when the generator had issues. None of the professors of engineering could fix it. They had to call for help. My question is—what’s the point of having an engineering faculty if no one can fix a diesel generator?”

His remarks struck a chord with many Nigerians, particularly students and graduates who feel the country’s education system often emphasizes theory over hands-on experience. The incident has opened up a broader discussion about the gap between academic training and real-world application in Nigeria’s higher institutions.

Social Media Reactions:

The video has drawn mixed responses, with some defending the professors, while others used the moment to highlight deeper issues plaguing the country’s educational sector.

@FestusBrave: “Is it the job of professors to fix generators? Aren’t there technicians for that? Professors are there to teach, not to play mechanic.”
@MarvellousIsra3: “The billion-dollar question is—how did they become professors in the first place if they can’t solve basic mechanical problems?”
@mozypellyXP: “I teach over 15 final-year cybersecurity students at a well-known university—and honestly, most of them are clueless. I had to start from scratch. This is a school that runs Python programs on paper!”
@Ministerlight1: “My brother, they’re still teaching our children ‘A is for Apple’ from primary school to university level. They’re also repeating ‘36 states and their capitals’ every day. What kind of education system is this?”

While some argue that repairing a generator isn’t necessarily the responsibility of academic staff, others view the situation as symbolic of a larger dysfunction within Nigerian universities—where graduates often lack practical skills despite years of classroom instruction.

The video has continued to trend, prompting more users to share their experiences and frustrations with the state of higher education in the country.

Watch video here:

"I was in the faculty of Engineering a while ago. When the faculty generator had issues, none of the professors could fix it.”

~ Nigerian youth complains

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— Nigeria Stories (@NigeriaStories) July 1, 2025