By Our Correspondent
Benin City — A Nigerian engineer, Franklin Ehizama Okugbe, has provided a homegrown solution to a major structural challenge at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), successfully delivering a 34-metre roof span for a 1,000-capacity lecture theatre at the Faculty of Law, Ugbowo Campus.
The project, which was completed in October 2011, had initially faced serious technical constraints, with experts questioning the feasibility of executing such a wide roof span within Nigeria’s construction environment.
Industry assessments at the time cited the unavailability of suitable universal beams and columns locally, as well as a shortage of specialised manpower capable of handling large-span structural works.
These challenges led to delays in the construction of the lecture theatre, which was designed to serve the growing student population of the Faculty of Law.
Specially fabricated universal beams were initially proposed for the roof structure. However, further structural reviews raised concerns that the size and depth of the beams could overload the already constructed concrete columns, posing safety risks and increasing project costs.
Faced with the prospect of redesign, delay, or importation of foreign materials, the university sought a professional design review and engaged Engineer Okugbe.
Explaining his approach, Okugbe said the focus was on developing a solution that reflected local realities.
“The objective was to achieve structural safety and efficiency using materials and methods that were available within the country,” he said.
“Resorting to importation would have increased costs and delayed the project unnecessarily.”
Following a detailed assessment, he introduced a locally adaptable and cost-effective alternative design, which ensured load stability without compromising the integrity of the existing columns.
A university official familiar with the project said the intervention was critical to its completion.
“The alternative design provided by Engineer Okugbe saved the project from prolonged delays and additional costs. It demonstrated that local expertise can effectively handle complex engineering challenges,” the official said.
The successful completion of the lecture theatre roof on 8 October 2011 has since been cited as a practical example of indigenous engineering capacity and the value of relying on Nigerian professionals for public infrastructure delivery.
Observers say the project continues to serve as a reference point for large-span construction works, reinforcing calls for greater confidence in homegrown solutions within Nigeria’s engineering and construction sector.
