The President of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Professor Sadiq Zubair Abubakar, has expressed reservations about the federal government’s recent directive restricting the accreditation powers of professional regulatory bodies in Nigerian universities.
Speaking during the 5th Engr. U.G. Jibrin Distinguished Annual Public Lecture held in Abuja, Prof. Abubakar emphasized the importance of maintaining global standards in professional education. The theme of the event was “Effective Engineering Administration as a Panacea for Building and Infrastructure Collapse.”
Last week, the Federal Ministry of Education directed universities to suspend multiple accreditation processes by external professional bodies, stating that only the National Universities Commission (NUC) would oversee such activities going forward. The decision, communicated via a letter dated May 20, 2025, from the NUC to vice-chancellors nationwide, cited concerns over overlapping mandates and administrative inefficiencies.
Despite the ban, the government granted continued joint accreditation privileges to seven professional bodies, including COREN, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, the Council of Legal Education, and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
While acknowledging COREN’s exemption, Prof. Abubakar warned that limiting independent oversight could affect the integrity and global recognition of Nigerian degrees.
“Accreditation by professional bodies is an international standard that ensures professional mobility and educational credibility. Restricting these functions without addressing systemic underfunding may hinder our competitiveness,” he said.
He added that Nigeria’s higher education sector relies on more than 30 regulatory bodies to uphold academic and professional benchmarks. However, many of these bodies lack adequate financial support to effectively carry out their roles.
Echoing these sentiments, former COREN President Engr. Kashim Ali criticized the directive, calling it “ill-advised.” He argued that professional accreditation plays a critical role in safeguarding public safety and maintaining industry standards.
“Without independent accreditation, our graduates risk being unrecognized globally. Engineering and other technical fields cannot afford to compromise on quality assurance,” Ali said.
He also cited recent infrastructure challenges, such as the ongoing issues at the Port Harcourt Refinery, as examples of what can go wrong when technical standards are not rigorously upheld.
“We must prioritize engineering and act ahead of failures. Engineering societies should be proactive, alerting authorities before problems escalate,” he added.
Both speakers called for unity among professional organizations and urged policymakers to engage in constructive dialogue to develop sustainable accreditation frameworks that align with international practices.
