COREN rolls out reforms to strengthen engineering regulation, public safety

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has unveiled a series of far-reaching reforms aimed at strengthening engineering regulation, enhancing public safety, improving professional standards, and advancing institutional efficiency across the country.
The resolutions was contained in a statement signed by the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of COREN, Engr. O.A.U. Uche.
He said the resolutions were adopted at the council’s 189th Ordinary council meeting and are designed to reinforce professionalism, combat quackery, and ensure greater accountability within the engineering sector.
ajor highlight 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 unqualified practitioners, strengthen project monitoring, and support efforts to prevent building collapses and other engineering-related failures.
COREN also approved a nationwide public awareness campaign to educate Nigerians on the dangers of engaging unregistered engineering practitioners and the importance of adhering to engineering standards and regulations.
In a significant move to strengthen professional discipline and ethical conduct, the Council approved the activation of the Engineering Disciplinary Tribunal, providing a formal mechanism for addressing professional misconduct and enforcing accountability within the engineering profession.
As part of efforts to deepen regulation and improve service delivery, COREN approved the registration of 3,328 engineering practitioners across various categories and 107 engineering firms.
The Council also directed a review of existing registration guidelines to align them with emerging industry realities and global best practices.
Reaffirming its commitment to protecting the integrity of the profession, the Council directed that nine cases involving fraudulent academic certificates submitted for registration be referred to the appropriate anti-corruption agencies for investigation and possible prosecution.
He stated that to strengthen engineering education and quality assurance, Council approved the gazetting of the Engineering and Technology Accreditation Bureau (ETAB) and reaffirmed COREN’s statutory responsibility for accrediting engineering programmes in Nigeria.
In furtherance of efforts to improve safety in the construction sector, Council approved a national stakeholders’ engagement on the Draft Harmonised National Construction Safety Guidelines for the Nigerian Construction Industry.
The engagement is expected to bring together key stakeholders to develop a more robust framework for promoting safe construction practices nationwide.
The Council also directed the completion and deployment of the upgraded COREN digital portal as part of its ongoing digital transformation agenda aimed at improving operational efficiency and service delivery to practitioners and stakeholders.
Reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, COREN emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among government institutions, industry stakeholders, and professional bodies to ensure that engineering projects across Nigeria are executed only by qualified and duly registered practitioners.
The Council noted that the resolutions reflect COREN’s unwavering commitment to strengthening engineering governance, promoting professionalism, combating quackery, improving construction safety, and supporting national development through effective regulation of engineering practice in Nigeria.