The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) yesterday said its 33rd Engineering Assembly is scheduled for 14th to 16th July 2025, at the Velodrome, Construction Avenue, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
President of COREN, Prof. Sadiq Abubakar who announced the schedule at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, said various activities are lined up for the Engineering Assembly.
He said, “COREN Engineering Assembly, which is held annually, is designed to provide a forum that enables practitioners and stakeholders to evaluate matters of mutual interest relating to the Engineering Profession and share ideas on emerging issues relating to the Engineering Profession.”
“The Assembly will serve as a platform where stakeholders will discuss the dynamics in relationships between the different Engineering Cadres, Operators, Regulators, and the larger Nigerian Society across the economic sectors of Nigeria,” he said.
According to Engr. Sadiq, the 33rd Engineering Assembly to be convened by COREN will also help to educate Engineering Practitioners on various developments within the Engineering Profession for effective regulation and safety for lives, properties, and investments, as well as to promote shared prosperity for all in Nigeria.
The President stated: “The Assembly will serve as a platform to interrogate the remuneration and fee structure for engineering professionals vis-à-vis the quality of services rendered and the motivation of the practitioners.”
While saying that the aim is to ensure that remuneration is not exploitative but fair and motivating, he encouraged professionals, stakeholders, and engineering enthusiasts to take advantage of the various opportunities for development offered by the upcoming Engineering Assembly.
Discussing the background of COREN, Engr. Sadiq Abubakar stated: “COREN was established by Decree 55 of 1970 and amended by Decree 27 of 1992, now ‘Engineers (Registration, etc.) Act, CAP E11 of 2004’ in the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He explained that the establishment Act was further amended by the Engineers (Registration, etc.) (Amendment) Act No. 3, 2018.
He stated: “The Act established COREN as a statutory body of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with the mandate to regulate and control the engineering education, training, and practice of engineering in all its aspects and ramifications.”
“COREN carries out this mandate by ensuring quality assurance of Training Institutions offering Engineering and technology programmes. This is carried out through the Accreditation of Engineering and Technology Programmes in Nigerian Universities, Polytechnics, Mono-technics, and Technical Colleges.”
It is pertinent to note that COREN became a provisional signatory of the Washington Accord (WA) under the International Engineering Alliance (IEA) in 2023, making Nigeria the 2nd African Country after South Africa. To consolidate on this achievement, NUC and COREN have agreed to commence joint accreditation of Engineering Programmes in Universities similar to the existing practice between NBTE and COREN for the Polytechnics and Mono-technics.
The COREN President said it is also gratifying to note that JAMB agreed to commence the regulation of admission into Engineering and Technology Programmes in the Nigerian University system to align with the global benchmarks and promote MRA and global mobility of graduates across IEA member states.
Engr. Sadiq Abubakar stated: “In line with the aspiration of COREN to meet the global standards of the Sydney Accord (SA) and Dublin Accord (DA) under the IEA, I am also happy to inform you that NBTE and COREN are finalizing modalities to commence accreditation of Technical Colleges in Nigeria this coming academic session.”
He said in response to the goals of the current FGN Administration, the Council approved the resuscitation of the Supervised Industrial Training Scheme in Engineering (SITSIE) under a new name of Engineering Residency Programme (ERP) and planned to engage the National Assembly to seek legislative backing for its sustainable funding in line with the existing COREN law.
“The Council constituted a Task Force on ERP, which will be inaugurated on Wednesday, 16th July, during the Engineering Family Forum.”
“Relevant organizations like NUC, NBTE, ITF, MAN, NSE, NATE, etc, were contacted and are ready to participate and support the laudable initiative.”
“In its bid to advance professionalism, COREN has concluded arrangements with the professional bodies (NSE, NATE, NiSET, NAEC) under EFEC to commence the implementation of enforcing the renewal of practicing licenses for all cadres of engineering practitioners on the attainment/earning of CPDU.”
“Aligning with the current FGN administration’s renewed hope agenda, I am happy to report that COREN has commenced the implementation of the assessment, certification, registration and licensing of the artisans involved in engineering practice across Nigeria.”
He said as part of efforts to decentralize the operations of COREN and ensure effective engagement at the grassroots and promote sanity in the practice of engineering for more positive impacts in Nigeria, seven (7) regional offices established in Lagos, Enugu, P/Harcourt, Kano, Ibadan, FCT, and Gombe, respectively, are now functional.
He also said that committees on Codes and Standards and for EREM for the 11 different sectors of the nation’s economy were inaugurated and carrying out their functions with the participation of the key sectoral regulators like NCC, NERC, NEMSA, NISAMA, NCDMB, NCAM, COMEG, NCAA, NAFDAC, CORBON, and ARCON, among others.
He stated: “In response to the call on COREN to rise to the occasion to check the incessant failures of engineering infrastructure, especially building collapse across the country, specialized training and licensing of Engineering Infrastructure Failure and Forensic Investigators is commencing under the tripartite collaboration of COREN, NBRRI, and CIFCFIN. Other similar training and certification are also underway for EP evaluators, PEI Examiners, ERM&E Inspectors, C&S Developers, and whistleblowers,” he added.
He disclosed that, in line with the resolve to foster synergy and collaboration in regulatory activities across the economic sectors, COREN has signed several MOUs with a number of regulators in different sectors, adding that the move will allow COREN to expand its regulatory activities to cover the sectors of Oil and Gas, Power, Mining, Communication, Construction, Maritime, Aviation and aerospace, Agro-Allied, manufacturing, and transportation sectors.
SOURCE : IN HOUSE
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