by MyEngineers
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening engineering regulation, promoting quality infrastructure, and safeguarding public safety across Nigeria, as he called for stronger enforcement and proportionate sanctions to protect lives.
The President’s address was delivered on his behalf by the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, as he declared open the 34th COREN Engineering Assembly on Tuesday, part of a gathering holding from Monday, 13th to Wednesday, 15th July, 2026, at The Velodrome, Constitution Avenue, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The Assembly has as its theme, “Advancing Public Safety in Nigeria through Strategic Engineering Regulatory Enforcement and a Tiered Sanctioning Regime,”
“No road, bridge, or building is more valuable than human life,” Tinubu said, describing the theme as timely and relevant to the nation’s developmental aspirations, and stressing that regulations are not intended to punish professionals but to protect public interest.
Tinubu: Engineering Is About Protecting Lives, Not Just Building Roads
The President said engineering remains the backbone of national development and that effective regulatory enforcement is essential for protecting lives, ensuring quality infrastructure, and restoring public confidence in the engineering profession.
“It includes the safety of the child walking to school, the trader travelling to the market, the patient being rushed to hospital and every Nigerian who depends on public infrastructure,” he said.
“Engineering failures translate into loss of lives, destruction of property, wasted investments and diminished public confidence.”
He added that COREN is a public safety institution charged with protecting the public while ensuring professional accountability. “Engineering without regulation is risky. Regulation without enforcement is weak.
Enforcement without sanction is ineffective. Sanctions without fairness are unjust. What Nigeria needs is a balanced system,” he said, adding that regulation protects the public from incompetence, government from waste, good engineers from being undercut by quacks, and most importantly, lives.
Legacy Roads Now Built To Last 50 To 100 Years, Says Tinubu
Tinubu assured participants that his administration remains fully committed to completing the four Legacy Road Projects across the six geopolitical zones under the Renewed Hope Agenda, describing them as strategic investments that will transform the nation’s economy, improve connectivity and stimulate sustainable development.
He revealed that ongoing federal highway projects are now being designed with life spans of between 50 and 100 years.
“This is a complete departure from previous practices where many roads did not last up to five years,” he said. “Our administration remains committed to delivering quality infrastructure that will stand the test of time.”
Engr. Umahi speaking in his own capacity as Minister of Works, commending COREN for choosing an apt theme aligned with the Federal Government’s vision for quality infrastructure delivery. He noted that engineering is one profession where mistakes can cost human lives, emphasising that, unlike many other professions, there is often no opportunity for appeal after a structural failure.
“That is why we must enforce standards strictly and sanction those who cut corners,” he said.
Umahi stressed that site engineers must discharge their responsibilities professionally and should never allow contractors to dictate engineering decisions, and urged the Council to strengthen its disciplinary mechanisms, similar to other professional regulatory bodies, to ensure that only qualified engineers are allowed to practice.
He expressed confidence that with continued discipline, transparency and adherence to engineering ethos, Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit would be significantly reduced in the coming years.
Adeladan: Renewed Hope Agenda Places Infrastructure At The Centre
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, explaining that the Ministry is implementing four major Legacy Projects across the geopolitical zones to connect communities, promote commerce, improve national integration and encourage investment.
He emphasised that quality assurance, competence, professionalism and independence among stakeholders remain fundamental requirements for sustainable infrastructure development, and urged engineers to uphold ethical standards, comply strictly with engineering regulations and strengthen resilience through adherence to due process.
Dangote: Regulatory Enforcement Was Key To Refinery’s Success
Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, was represented by Prof. Hassan Umaru.
Dangote described the Assembly as timely and significant, noting that engineering excellence remains the foundation of public trust, industrial competitiveness and national development, and observing that every infrastructure project must be executed according to approved standards and maintained throughout its lifespan.
Drawing from the experience of constructing the Dangote Refinery, he explained that rigorous engineering design, quality control, technical discipline and strict compliance with standards were critical to its successful delivery, noting that safety driven decisions often raised project costs but ultimately protected lives and guaranteed long term sustainability.
He called for sustained excellence within the engineering profession and urged COREN to continue strengthening regulatory frameworks while enforcing disciplinary measures against erring practitioners, in order to safeguard lives and property.
Abubakar: COREN Deploys Digital Verification To Check Fraud
In his welcome address, COREN President, Engr. Prof. Sadiq Zubair Abubakar, outlined the Council’s statutory responsibility of regulating engineering education and practice in Nigeria, in line with international standards. He explained that engineering graduates are expected to undergo mandatory industrial training before participating in the National Youth Service Corps, describing practical exposure as critical to professional competence.
Abubakar disclosed that COREN has successfully introduced digital verification and enforcement systems to improve transparency, eliminate fraudulent practices and strengthen regulatory compliance. “Engineering regulation must not only ensure competence and professionalism but must also provide robust mechanisms for compliance monitoring, enforcement, accountability and sanctions where necessary. We must move from reactive regulation to predictive and preventive engineering governance,” he said, assuring members that the Council would continue to uphold integrity, professionalism and accountability while addressing attempts by some practitioners to circumvent established standards.
Uche: Infrastructure Development Is A Collective Responsibility
In his introductory remarks, Prof. O. A. U. Uche emphasised the importance of sustaining quality infrastructure development through continuous improvement in engineering practice. He described infrastructure development as a collective responsibility requiring collaboration among government, professional bodies, academia, industry and private sector stakeholders, and called for stronger synergy in advancing engineering excellence and national development.
Tijjani: Science, Technology And Engineering Are Critical Drivers Of Growth
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Bosun Tijjani, stated that science, technology and engineering remain critical drivers of economic growth, innovation and public safety, and pledged continued collaboration between his Ministry and engineering regulatory agencies to advance these goals.
Mutfwang: Engineering Is Among The Most Respected Professions Globally
Representing the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, described engineering as one of the most respected professions globally, and emphasised the need to create an enabling environment for engineers to thrive while sustaining public safety and economic development.
Yilwatda: Umahi’s Ministry Has Made Remarkable Progress On Legacy Roads
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, commended COREN for its achievements in regulating engineering practice, describing engineers as the backbone of national development. He praised the Federal Ministry of Works, under the leadership of Engr. David Umahi, for the remarkable progress recorded on the four Legacy Road Projects and others across the six geopolitical zones, congratulating the Ministry for its commitment to quality infrastructure and affirming that Nigerian engineers continue to distinguish themselves through professionalism and excellence both nationally and internationally.
The 34th COREN Engineering Assembly reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to strengthening engineering regulations, enforcement and a tiered sanctioning regime to ensure public safety and sustainable infrastructure development in Nigeria.