President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening engineering regulations, promoting quality infrastructure and safeguarding public safety across the country.
According to an official statement signed by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Works, Mohamed A. Ahmed, the President gave the assurance while declaring open the 34th COREN Engineering Assembly in Abuja through the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi.
The Assembly, themed “Advancing Public Safety in Nigeria through Strategic Engineering Regulatory Enforcement and a Tiered Sanctioning Regime,” focused on improving engineering standards and strengthening regulatory compliance to ensure safer infrastructure nationwide.
President Tinubu described engineering as the backbone of national development, stressing that effective regulatory enforcement is essential to protecting lives, guaranteeing quality infrastructure and restoring public confidence in the profession.
He emphasised that regulations are designed to protect the public rather than punish professionals, maintaining that no road, bridge or building is more valuable than human life.
The President also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to completing the four Legacy Road Projects across the six geopolitical zones under the Renewed Hope Agenda, describing them as strategic investments that would enhance connectivity, stimulate economic growth and drive sustainable national development.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Works Engr. David Umahi commended the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) for selecting a theme that aligns with the Federal Government’s vision for quality infrastructure delivery and public safety.
He warned against professional negligence, noting that engineering errors could have fatal consequences, and called for stricter regulation, stronger enforcement and tougher sanctions against quacks and professionals who compromise engineering ethics and standards.
Umahi urged site engineers to maintain professional independence and resist undue influence from contractors, while encouraging COREN to strengthen its disciplinary processes to ensure that only qualified engineers are allowed to practise.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Minister, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. Rafiu Adeladan, said the Renewed Hope Agenda places infrastructure development at the centre of Nigeria’s economic transformation.
He explained that the ongoing Legacy Road Projects are designed to improve connectivity, promote commerce, strengthen national integration and attract investment, while stressing that professionalism, competence and adherence to engineering standards remain critical to sustainable infrastructure development.
Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON, represented by Prof. Hassan Umaru, described engineering excellence as fundamental to public trust, industrial competitiveness and national development.
Drawing from the experience of the Dangote Refinery project, he said strict compliance with engineering standards, quality control and technical discipline were essential to the successful delivery of major infrastructure projects.
COREN President, Engr. Prof. Sadiq Zubair Abubakar, FNSE, said the Council would continue to strengthen engineering regulation in line with international best practices through improved enforcement, digital verification systems and greater transparency.
He disclosed that COREN had introduced digital verification and enforcement mechanisms to eliminate fraudulent practices, enhance regulatory compliance and prevent infrastructure failures.
Other speakers, including the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Bosun Tijjani, Plateau State Governor Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, represented at the event, and APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, underscored the importance of engineering in driving economic growth, innovation, public safety and national development.
The Assembly concluded with renewed commitment by COREN and stakeholders to strengthen engineering regulation, enforce professional standards and promote sustainable infrastructure development across Nigeria.
