By Godswill Michael
The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has approved the registration of 3,328 engineering practitioners and 107 engineering firms, while unveiling a raft of measures aimed at tackling quackery and strengthening professional regulation across the country.
The resolutions were reached at the Council’s 189th Ordinary Council Meeting and announced in a statement signed by the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of COREN, Engr. Okorie Uche.
A key outcome of the meeting was the approval of a 90-day Engineering Regulation Monitoring and Enforcement (ERM&E) Rapid Response Task Force to intensify the fight against unregistered practitioners and improve compliance with engineering standards nationwide.
According to the statement, the initiative is expected to strengthen project monitoring and help reduce incidents such as building collapses and other engineering failures often linked to poor professional practices.
“Among the key decisions approved by Council is the establishment of a 90-Day Engineering Regulation Monitoring and Enforcement (ERM&E) Rapid Response Task Force to intensify the fight against quackery, strengthen project monitoring, and support efforts aimed at preventing building collapse and other engineering-related failures,” Uche stated.
In another significant decision, the Council approved the activation of the Engineering Disciplinary Tribunal to address cases of professional misconduct and enforce ethical standards within the profession.
“In a major step towards strengthening professional discipline and ethical conduct, Council approved the activation of the Engineering Disciplinary Tribunal, which will provide a framework for addressing cases of professional misconduct and enforcing accountability within the engineering profession,” the statement added.
COREN also disclosed that it had identified nine cases involving fraudulent academic certificates submitted by applicants seeking registration. The cases, according to the Council, will be referred to relevant anti-corruption agencies for investigation and possible prosecution.
“Council further reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the engineering profession by directing the reporting of nine cases involving fraudulent academic certificates submitted for registration to the appropriate anti-corruption authorities for investigation and possible prosecution,” the registrar said.
As part of efforts to protect the public from the dangers posed by unqualified practitioners, the Council approved a nationwide public awareness campaign to educate Nigerians on the risks of engaging unregistered engineers and the importance of complying with engineering regulations and standards.
The Council reiterated its commitment to ensuring that engineering projects across the country are handled only by qualified and duly registered professionals.
“Reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, Council emphasized the need for stronger collaboration with government institutions, industry stakeholders, and professional bodies to ensure that engineering works in Nigeria are undertaken only by qualified and duly registered practitioners,” the statement noted.
The Council also approved the gazetting of the Engineering and Technology Accreditation Bureau (ETAB), reaffirming its statutory responsibility for the accreditation of engineering programmes in Nigeria.
Additionally, COREN endorsed plans for a national stakeholders’ engagement on the Draft Harmonised National Construction Safety Guidelines for the Nigerian Construction Industry, a move aimed at improving safety standards across construction sites nationwide.
To enhance operational efficiency and service delivery, the Council directed the completion and deployment of an upgraded COREN digital portal for practitioners and other stakeholders.
Over the years, building collapses in major cities, fatal electrical fires caused by substandard installations, road failures and other infrastructure defects have frequently been linked to the activities of unqualified individuals undertaking engineering work without the required training, certification or regulatory oversight.
Industry experts have consistently warned that the growing presence of unregistered practitioners poses serious risks to public safety and national development, resulting in loss of lives, destruction of property and significant economic costs.
COREN said the latest resolutions are expected to strengthen regulatory enforcement, improve professional accountability and enhance safety standards across engineering and construction projects nationwide.
The Council added that the decisions reflect its commitment to “strengthening engineering governance, promoting professionalism, combating quackery, improving construction safety, and supporting national development through effective regulation of engineering practice in Nigeria.”