President Bola Tinubu, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to strengthening engineering regulations, promoting quality infrastructure, and safeguarding public safety across Nigeria.
Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Works, Mohamed Ahmed disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
Represented by the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, while declaring open the 34th COREN Engineering Assembly, the President described the Assembly’s theme, “Advancing Public Safety in Nigeria through Strategic Engineering Regulatory Enforcement and a Tiered Sanctioning Regime,” as timely and relevant to the nation’s developmental aspirations.
The President stated that engineering remained the backbone of national development and that effective regulatory enforcement was essential for protecting lives, ensuring quality infrastructure, and restoring public confidence in the engineering profession.
He stressed that regulations were not intended to punish professionals but to protect public interest, noting that “no road, bridge, or building is more valuable than human life.”
President Tinubu assured participants that his administration remains fully committed to completing the four (4) Legacy Road Projects across the six geopolitical zones, under the Renewed Hope Agenda. He described them as strategic investments that will transform the nation’s economy, improve connectivity, and stimulate sustainable development.
On his part, “the Minister of Works commended the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) for choosing an apt theme that aligned with the Federal Government’s vision for quality infrastructure delivery and adherence to public safety.
He noted that engineering was a profession where mistakes could cost human lives, emphasising that, unlike many other professions, there was often no opportunity for appeal after a structural failure. He, therefore, called for stronger regulations, strict enforcement, and effective sanctions against unqualified practitioners and professionals, who compromise ethics and standards.
Engr. Umahi stressed that site engineers must discharge their responsibilities professionally and should never allow contractors to dictate engineering decisions. He urged Council to strengthen its disciplinary mechanisms, similar to other professional regulatory bodies, to ensure that only qualified engineers are allowed to practice.
The Minister highlighted the achievements of President Tinubu’s administration, especially the ongoing Legacy Road Projects spread across all the geopolitical zones, designed to improve economic integration, enhance national security, create employment opportunities, and stimulate investment.
He expressed confidence that with continued discipline, transparency, and adherence to engineering ethos, Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit would be significantly reduced within the coming years.
Presenting the Keynote Address on behalf of the Minister, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. Rafiu Adeladan, stated that the Renewed Hope Agenda places infrastructure development at the centre of Nigeria’s economic transformation. He explained that the Ministry was implementing four major Legacy Projects across the geopolitical zones to connect communities, promote commerce, improve national integration, and encourage investment.
He therefore urged the engineers to uphold ethical standards, comply strictly with engineering regulations and best practices, and strengthen resilience through adherence to due process
Earlier, the President of COREN, Engr. Sadiq Abubakar, outlined the Council’s statutory responsibility of regulating engineering education and practice in Nigeria, in line with international standards and recommended practices.
Abubakar disclosed that COREN had successfully introduced digital verification and enforcement systems to improve transparency, eliminate fraudulent practices, and strengthen regulatory compliance.
He assured members that the Council would continue to uphold integrity, professionalism, and accountability, while addressing attempts by some practitioners to circumvent established standards. According to him, engineering regulation must remain transparent, sustainable, and effective in preventing infrastructure failures across the country.
