President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to delivering safe, durable and sustainable infrastructure across Nigeria, stressing that public safety must remain the cornerstone of engineering practice and regulation.
The President made the declaration in a keynote address delivered on his behalf by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, at the opening of the 34th Engineering Assembly of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) in Abuja.
Represented by Umahi, Tinubu said effective engineering regulation is essential to safeguarding lives and property while ensuring that infrastructure projects meet the highest standards of quality, safety and sustainability.
He noted that as the Federal Government continues to invest in roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure, strengthening engineering oversight has become increasingly important to guarantee value for money and protect the public.
The President’s remarks come amid growing concerns over recurring infrastructure failures and the activities of unregistered engineering practitioners operating across the country.
He maintained that robust regulatory frameworks and strict compliance with professional standards are necessary to reduce structural failures and improve public confidence in Nigeria’s engineering sector.
Also speaking at the assembly, the President of COREN, Professor Sadiq Abubakar, identified several challenges affecting engineering regulation in Nigeria.
According to him, weak enforcement of engineering laws, inadequate funding, shortages of qualified personnel and the failure to domesticate engineering standards continue to undermine the profession.
Abubakar also warned that rapid technological advancements, cybersecurity threats, climate-related risks and increasingly complex infrastructure projects demand stronger regulatory oversight and more effective enforcement mechanisms.
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He said enhancing engineering regulation would not only protect lives and property but also safeguard the environment while promoting sustainable national development.
Participants at the 34th Engineering Assembly are expected to deliberate on strategies for strengthening engineering regulation, improving compliance with professional standards and enhancing public safety in infrastructure development across the country.
The resolutions from the assembly are expected to contribute to reforms aimed at improving engineering practice and ensuring that infrastructure projects nationwide are executed in line with internationally accepted standards.
