The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has recommended a one-year post-graduation training program for engineers and urged the federal government to reinstate funding for the council's operations.

During the 32nd Engineering Assembly held in Abuja, COREN President Engr. Prof. Sadiq Abubakar made this appeal, emphasizing the theme: “Regulating Engineering Profession for Shared Prosperity in Nigeria.”

Prof. Abubakar also announced that COREN, in collaboration with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), will begin the accreditation process for technical colleges across Nigeria in the upcoming academic year.

He stated, “In alignment with the objectives of the current Federal Government Administration, the Council has approved the revival of the Supervised Industrial Training Scheme in Engineering (SITSIE), now rebranded as the Engineering Residency Programme (EREP), and intends to engage the National Assembly for legislative support.

“This initiative is a one-year post-graduation training program aimed at all engineering graduates from accredited universities or polytechnics, designed to fulfill the practical experience requirements necessary for registration with COREN as a professional engineer or engineering technologist, akin to the practices in the medical and pharmaceutical fields.”

Prof. Abubakar mentioned that various relevant organizations, including NUC, NBTE, ITF, MAN, NSE, and NATE, have been approached and have shown their willingness to support and participate in this initiative.

Additionally, he indicated that the Council has sanctioned the establishment of a new register for Engineering Artisans, in accordance with its mandate.

“The new NSQ levels 1-2 under the NSQF, which the Federal Government has incorporated into the Scheme of Services of Nigeria, has provided the necessary recognition and support for this commendable policy.”

He further noted that significant progress has been made in collaboration with NBTE and other pertinent organizations for the inauguration of the SSC4E.

This marks the beginning of the training, certification, and licensing processes for artisans in Nigeria's Engineering Sector. The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) will serve as the awarding body, while the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) will act as the regulatory authority. The Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAE) will lead the Sector Skills Council for Engineering (SSC4E), which will include various stakeholders from the engineering field, such as employers, professional organizations, academia, and the private sector, in accordance with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) manual approved by the National Skills Council (NSC), he stated.

He further explained that COREN has established a National Technical Committee to address the persistent issues of engineering infrastructure failures, particularly building collapses throughout the country. This committee will implement the Engineering Regulation and Monitoring Enforcement (ERME) at the national level, mirroring existing efforts at regional and state levels.

Additionally, he mentioned that ERME inspectors will receive support from the Engineering Intelligence & Surveillance (EIS) Task Force and EIS Whistle Blowers, who will operate at national, regional, and state levels.

“COREN is committed to enhancing its effectiveness in regulating engineering education, training practitioners, and overseeing their practices in alignment with global ethics and standards. This is essential for preventing engineering infrastructure failures and protecting the lives and property of citizens. 

The Council urges the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to continue funding COREN, similar to the support provided to other sectors, particularly health. We hope that the FGN will reconsider its stance and reinstate funding for the Council for the nation's benefit,” he remarked.

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, emphasized that the standards set by COREN and the professional ethics it upholds are vital for ensuring the quality, safety, and durability of housing and infrastructure projects nationwide.

Dangiwa praised the ongoing reforms and restructuring within COREN aimed at effectively implementing the provisions of the amended COREN Act to monitor and enforce compliance in engineering practices.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development stated, "I want to emphasize that effective regulation of the construction and built environment is a top priority for my ministry, particularly in addressing the troubling trend of frequent building and infrastructure collapses." 

He praised COREN for taking initiative and leading among the regulators in the built sector. Additionally, he expressed gratitude to COREN for creating a checklist that ensures comprehensive documentation of the construction process, enabling the tracking of actions or omissions that could lead to accountability in cases of building collapses in Nigeria. 

"This initiative is aimed at finding a sustainable solution to the issue of building collapses in Nigeria," he concluded