Academics and engineering students of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), have urged the Federal Government to invest more in technology infrastructure and practical engineering education to improve Nigeria's global competitiveness.

The call followed the return of 37 engineering students and two lecturers from a 20-day hands-on training programme at Zhejiang Polytechnic University of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering in Hangzhou, China. The participants received practical training in robotics, digital twin technology, programmable logic control systems, CNC machines, and 2D and 3D printing.

The university said the programme exposed students to advanced engineering technologies and industry practices not readily available in Nigeria. It also commended the institution's founder, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), for facilitating the partnership, describing it as a platform for future academic exchanges and postgraduate opportunities.