Abuja: The Council for the Regulation of Engineering (COREN) has announced that its upcoming 33rd Assembly aims to enhance professional compliance and tackle engineering challenges. Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, the President of COREN, revealed that the assembly is expected to attract over five million engineers during a news conference in Abuja. The event, themed ‘Advancing Quality Engineering Service and Businesses in Nigeria-Professional Compliance and Remuneration’, will serve as a platform for local and international professionals to engage in discussions about the evolving demands of the industry.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the COREN Assembly is an annual gathering that brings together all Cadres of Engineering Practitioners to address issues elevating the engineering profession. Prof. Abubakar emphasized the importance of the quality of engineering practitioners and infrastructure in the development and global respect of a nation. The assembly is designed to assess and educate engineering practitioners on various developments within the field, promoting effective regulation and safety for lives, properties, and investments.
The assembly will also examine the remuneration and fee structure for engineering professionals, ensuring that compensation is fair and motivating, rather than exploitative. Attendance at the assembly is mandatory for all registered practitioners and is a prerequisite for renewing practicing licenses for both individuals and firms. This measure aims to reduce quackery that contributes to frequent engineering infrastructural failures.
Prof. Abubakar elaborated on COREN’s role as a statutory body regulating and controlling engineering education, training, and practice. COREN is working with stakeholders to finalize the accreditation of Technical Colleges in Nigeria to align with global standards like the Sydney Accord and Dublin Accord. In line with the goals of the current administration, COREN has approved the revival of the Supervised Industrial Training Scheme in Engineering (SITSIE), now known as the Engineering Residency Programme (ERP).
COREN plans to engage the National Assembly to secure legislative backing for sustainable funding, in accordance with existing COREN law. A Task Force on ERP will be inaugurated during the assembly to oversee the initiative. COREN is also collaborating with other engineering bodies to enforce the renewal of practicing licenses for all cadres, aiming to advance professionalism in the sector.
The council has commenced the assessment, certification, registration, and licensing of artisans involved in engineering practice across Nigeria, aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda. This initiative seeks to decentralize COREN operations, ensure effective grassroots engagement, and promote order in engineering practices. Seven regional offices have been established in Lagos, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Kano, Ibadan, FCT, and Gombe.
The COREN president highlighted the council’s efforts in specialized training and licensing of Engineering Infrastructure Failure and Forensic Investigators to address frequent infrastructure failures, particularly building collapses. COREN is currently overseeing 11 sectors and plans to expand its regulatory activities across other economic sectors.
COREN intends to submit a legislative request for amending the Engineers (Registration, etc.) (Amendment) Act No. 3, 2018, to enhance enforcement capabilities and sustain its leadership in national engineering assignments. The implementation of ERP, admission quotas, building insurance, compensation for victims of infrastructure failure, and accountability for culpable parties are key focus areas. Prof. Abubakar called on the Federal Government to support COREN strategically to enable it to fulfill its mandate effectively, advocating for a return to a supportive funding regime.