By Isqil Najim
The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), has received endorsement of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for its proposal to regulate the admission and enrolment of students into engineering and technology programmes in Nigerian universities.
This was a crucial outcome of the meeting between COREN and JAMB when COREN President, Engr. Prof. Sadiq Zubair Abubakar led a courtesy visit to the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, on Wednesday, 18th June 2025
The visit was part of COREN’s strategic efforts to foster collaboration with JAMB in order to enhance the regulatory enrolment of Engineering and Technology programmes in Nigerian universities.
During the meeting, the COREN President emphasized the need to enforce the Admission Quota System for accredited Engineering and Technology programmes within the Nigerian University System.
Engr. Prof. Abubakar highlighted the critical role of regulated enrolment in safeguarding the quality and integrity of Engineering education, reiterating COREN’s commitment to upholding global best practices in the training of engineers and technologists across the country.
Responding, Prof. Oloyede applauded COREN’s efforts, stating, “I commend the desire of COREN to intervene and improve the quality of engineering education and enhance the skills, competencies and competitiveness of graduates of both universities and polytechnics.”
He added, “I endorse the request of COREN to regulate the admission/enrolment of young Nigerians into various engineering and technology programmes, similar to the current practice extended to the regulators in the health sector.”
Oloyede, however, warned against the excessive burden placed on universities by multiple accreditation exercises. “The proliferation of assessment and accreditation visits by numerous regulators is a huge burden. There is a need for a harmonised approach where regulators like COREN can carry out joint accreditation with the National Universities Commission (NUC),” he said.
In a statement on Thursday, the JAMB Registrar also congratulated COREN on being recognised by the Federal Government in the recent NUC policy shift. He advised the council to build on this development by addressing existing gaps in engineering education.
According to him, this alignment will position COREN “among the league of regulators with specific authority on admissions into engineering programmes”, as is currently the case with COREN and the NBTE for HND and ND programmes in polytechnics.
He praised COREN’s foresight, noting that this kind of regulatory framework “ought to have been in place at the same time as the regulators in the health sector.”
The engagement marks a significant step toward harmonising efforts between both agencies to improve standards and accountability in the Nigerian university system.
Earlier this year in Lagos,Professor A. Z Abubakar, COREN President, disclosed during the Stakeholder Summit and inauguration of the Lagos Regional Steering Committee (LRSC) that, COREN has developed 12 new regulations, including a crucial admission portal for engineering programs in Nigerian universities. He highlighted the persistent issue of overpopulated engineering faculties, which often necessitates federal intervention. The new admission portal, he explained, will be based on institutional carrying capacity.
The council is advocating for JAMB (Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board) to treat engineering admissions with the same rigor as medicine and pharmacy.