ABUJA: The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has approved far-reaching resolutions aimed at strengthening engineering regulation, raising professional standards and securing global recognition for Nigerian engineering qualifications.
The Registrar of COREN, Prof. Okorie Uche, disclosed this on Tuesday at the end of the Council’s 188th Ordinary Meeting for the first quarter of 2026, held in Abuja.
Uche said the Council took strategic decisions to advance its statutory mandate of regulating and improving engineering education, training and professional practice nationwide.
He explained that, in line with COREN’s drive for international mobility and global acceptance of Nigerian engineering credentials, the Council approved a landmark international engagement strategy.
Under the initiative, COREN, in collaboration with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), will submit applications for Provisional Status under the Sydney and Dublin Accords, as well as an application for Full Signatory Status under the Washington Accord.
According to him, the applications will be pursued in strict compliance with the requirements of the International Engineering Alliance (IEA), marking a critical step towards global acceptance of Nigerian engineering qualifications.
To strengthen domestic capacity in support of these international aspirations, the Council approved the creation of specialised units within its Engineering Education and Accreditation Department.
Uche said the restructuring would ensure effective alignment with the Washington, Sydney and Dublin Accord frameworks, while enhancing regulatory oversight of engineering and technology education at all levels, with particular emphasis on Technical Colleges.
As part of broader reforms, the Council also endorsed a draft Amendment Bill to the COREN Act, aimed at improving professionalism, public safety and accountability within the engineering sector.
Key provisions of the proposed amendments include the expansion of Engineering Regulation and Monitoring Enforcement (ERME) to cover multiple sectors of the economy and the introduction of mandatory insurance for infrastructure projects, to guarantee compensation in cases of injury or death arising from infrastructure failure.
The registrar added that the ERME framework would also criminalise the use of substandard materials and unauthorised alterations to approved engineering designs during construction.
In further efforts to refine professional standards, COREN approved the draft report of the Technical Review Committee on the Engineers’ Code of Practice and Conditions of Engagement (ECOPACCE), alongside a revised ECOPACCE document.
Uche said the review would ensure that professional service fees and engagement conditions reflect contemporary best practices and prevailing economic realities.
He also disclosed that the Council approved the registration of 2,672 engineering practitioners across various cadres, as well as several engineering firms, including 30 consulting firms.
In addition, COREN accredited three National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) Engineering Skills Training Providers, bringing the total number of registered firms and providers to 118.
“These resolutions underscore COREN’s unwavering commitment to strengthening engineering regulation, enhancing education and professional practice, safeguarding public interest, and positioning Nigeria’s engineering profession competitively on the global stage,” Uche said.
