Our Story
In 1997, three students at the Federal University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State Nigeria, came together and created an organization, Environmental Watchtower, that will bridge the gap between the theory taught in the classroom and real-life experience of using what they are taught to solve real life challenges on campus. The organization was led by Oladimeji Olutimehin who later transformed it into Engineers Without Borders Nigeria after graduation.
In 2005, while going through The Bridge, a magazine by National Academy of Engineering, Dimeji came across a write up that resonated with him and aligned with what he wanted to do. He then wrote the author of the article and shared his vision. The author not only replied but asked him to start Engineers Without Borders Nigeria. The author of the article is no other person but Professor Bernard Amadei, the founder of Engineers Without Borders USA and co-founder Engineers Without Borders International.
EWB Nigeria partnered with Dr Adrian Sohr, a Canadian medical doctor who had lived among a certain people in Zamfara State, Northern Nigeria, to bring sustainable development to their community. Together, with fund raised by DR Adrian, we did water projects, started a primary school and a garden.
In 2010, EWB Nigeria through EWB-USA entered into partnership with Chevron and Schlumberger to be the implementors of the Appropriate Technology Enabled Development (ATED) projects in the Niger Delta. As part of the program, In 2011 EWB Nigeria organized an International conference funded by Chevron USA and Schlumberger which was attended by EWB-USA team, engineering students from various Universities in Nigeria and bodies and individuals interested in the development of the Niger Delta.
EWB Nigeria launched its Sustainable Campus project with the goal to reduce the use of fossil fuel in Nigeria universities by 30% via the introduction of renewable energy like solar, wind and biomas. To implement this project in 2013, EWB-Nigeria took 101 students from seven universities to Valley View University, Accra, Ghana to understudy biogas production and recycling of waste. The project was unable to scale for lack of funding.
To better achieve our vision to make engineering one of the exports of Nigeria, we got into STEM education. We started working with science teachers and students. We trained science teachers in Akure, Ondo State, Benin, Edo State and Nnewi, Anambra State. We facilitated a Girls in Engineering, Mathematics and Science (GEMS) funded by Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC) among secondary schools in Ondo State.
We designed, tested and validated our engineering education programs which are: Problem Solving For Engineers, Value-Added Engineering and Engineering Leadership. Moving forward, EWB Nigeria will be creating a platform where engineering students will gain experience while working on real-life projects and being mentored by professional engineers and also create value for organizations and earn from it.
We solve Nigeria’s most challenging social problems using design thinking.
Mission
Partner with organizations and communities to develop engineering leaders who solve problems and create value for organizations and communities
Vision
A Nigeria where every engineer is equipped to be a world-class leader and organizations where value is being created.
Values
- Integrity
- Collaboration
- Empathy
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
From working with secondary school science students to engineering students and nurses, your support makes fulfilling the Nigeria’s engineering needs a reality! Join us to make Nigeria Work!