The call was made by COREN President, Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, at the 33rd COREN Engineering Assembly held in Abuja on Tuesday. The 2025 Assembly focused on the theme, “Advancing Quality Engineering Services and Businesses in Nigeria – Professional Compliance and Remuneration.”

Prof. Abubakar emphasized that the theme reflects pressing concerns within Nigeria’s engineering sector, particularly around professionalism, regulatory compliance, and fair remuneration, all of which are critical to delivering safe and high-quality infrastructure.

He reiterated COREN’s commitment to its regulatory mandate, which includes overseeing engineering education, ensuring proper training, and maintaining ethical standards across the profession.

“As a regulatory body, COREN is positioned to ensure that engineering practice in Nigeria meets global benchmarks. However, achieving this requires effective partnership with government institutions like the FCT Administration to ensure stricter enforcement of compliance in all engineering activities,” Abubakar said.

He further stated that collaboration with the FCT and other relevant authorities will help eliminate quackery, improve safety in engineering projects, and reduce the frequency of structural failures that have plagued several Nigerian cities in recent years.

The annual assembly brought together key stakeholders from academia, industry, and government to review developments in the engineering sector and chart strategies for enhanced professional integrity and improved service delivery.

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Dr. Samson Opaluwah, Chairman of CORBON, described the partnership as a pivotal step toward maximizing human capacity and advancing the built environment. He highlighted the initiative as a united front to address persistent challenges in construction and infrastructure delivery.

“This is a transformative moment. It reflects our joint resolve to elevate professional standards and improve outcomes in building and engineering practices,” Opaluwah said.

COREN President, Professor Sadiq Abubakar, echoed the sentiment, calling for cooperation between regulatory bodies to safeguard national interests. He warned that disunity and overlapping functions could undermine efforts to tackle infrastructure deficits and slow economic progress.

“When regulatory agencies treat each other as rivals, the country pays the price. Collaboration is our path to national development,” Abubakar stated.

A key focus of the partnership is tackling the issue of building collapses, which have plagued various parts of the country. Professor Abubakar noted that a significant number of these incidents stem from gaps in existing laws that fail to hold developers adequately accountable.

“Many of the current legal provisions don’t address the main culprits. This memorandum of understanding is a strategic step toward more effective regulation,” he said.

To that end, COREN is working on updating its legal framework to broaden its enforcement capabilities. CORBON will contribute to the drafting of the proposed legislative changes, which COREN aims to submit to the National Assembly before year’s end.

As part of the agreement, CORBON experts will now play an active role in COREN’s Enforcement and Regulatory Monitoring (ERM) activities across Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory. This joint approach is expected to boost public trust in the country’s construction industry by weeding out unqualified personnel and enforcing compliance.

“We’ll be working as a single team in the field. It’s not about whose logo is on the jacket, it’s about ensuring safety and excellence for Nigerians,” Opaluwah affirmed.

The partnership was formally sealed with an exchange of symbolic gifts between the two councils, underscoring a shared commitment to improving infrastructure delivery and promoting best practices in Nigeria’s built environment.

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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.

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His appointment takes effect from March 2025, following approval at the 183rd Ordinary Council Meeting held in January 2025.

He succeeds Engr. Adisa Bello, whose tenure as Registrar has successfully ended after years of dedicated professional service.

Prof. Uche previously served as a Professor of Civil/Structural Engineering at Bayero University, Kano, with over three decades of experience.

He has significantly contributed to engineering education, research, and administration across Nigeria through various professional and academic engagements.

Academic and Professional Journey

Born August 1, 1965, in Amuda-Isuochi, Abia State, Prof. Uche attended Development Primary School, Owerri, and later Isuochi Secondary School for his early education.

He obtained an HND Distinction in Agricultural Engineering from Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, where he emerged as the valedictorian.

He later earned a B.Eng. in Civil Engineering from Bayero University, Kano, graduating as the best student in his class.

He pursued further education, obtaining an M.Sc. in Civil Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 2000. In 2008, he completed a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at the same prestigious university.

Contributions to Engineering

Since joining Bayero University in 2001, Prof. Uche has trained over 1,000 undergraduate and 300 postgraduate students across various engineering disciplines. His research portfolio includes over 90 publications in internationally recognized engineering journals and conferences worldwide.

He is a COREN-registered engineer and a Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (FNICE), demonstrating professional commitment. His affiliations also include American Concrete Institute (ACI) and Materials Society of Nigeria, strengthening his global engineering network.

Prof. Uche has held several leadership roles, including serving as Chairman of NSE Kano and Kabuga Branches, showcasing his administrative expertise. Since 2014, he has actively participated in COREN Council committees, influencing engineering policies across Nigeria.

Faith and Community Involvement
Beyond engineering, Prof. Uche serves as Diocesan Technical Adviser and Lay President of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Kano Diocese. He holds the title of Worthy Knight of John Wesley (KJW), demonstrating his strong religious commitment.

Prof. Uche is married to Lady Ngozi Uche, and they are blessed with four children, maintaining a balanced family life.

Seamless Leadership Transition
To ensure smooth leadership transition, COREN organized an Orientation Workshop for incoming and outgoing Registrars, management, and regional officers. The event introduced the new Registrar to COREN’s vision, objectives, and regulatory roadmap.

COREN believes Prof. Uche’s experience, leadership, and expertise will strengthen engineering regulation and professional development across Nigeria’s engineering sector. His appointment underscores COREN’s commitment to excellence, integrity, and innovation.

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In response to the growing crisis of building collapses in Nigeria, leading organizations and professionals across the construction industry have joined forces to implement robust measures for safety.

At a national conference held in Abuja, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade, and Investment, John Eno, emphasized the urgent need for heightened safety standards, stating that adherence to such standards is the “bedrock of sustainable development” in Nigeria’s building sector.

The conference, themed “Adherence to Standard Practices: Bedrock of Sustainable Development in the Building/Construction Sector,” was organized by the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) and brought together key stakeholders, including the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN), the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), and other professionals from across the industry.

Highlighting the scale of the problem, Eno noted that Lagos State has recorded over 351 building collapses in the past 50 years, making up more than half of the nation’s 635 incidents. He stressed the government’s commitment to ensuring public safety, stating, “The security of lives and property is a priority, and addressing the ongoing issue of building collapses is paramount.”

COREN President Prof. Sadiq Zubair Abubakar underscored the necessity of enforcing codes and standards that are specifically tailored to Nigeria’s environmental and structural needs. “While foreign standards like Eurocodes are sometimes adopted, Nigeria must have its own codes to address local conditions and prevent future incidents,” Abubakar said.

Adding to the conversation, SON Director-General Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke pointed out the need for greater industry-wide awareness and education on safety standards. “Many builders, suppliers, and professionals are still unaware of crucial standards for safe construction,” he remarked, calling for comprehensive training initiatives to align the workforce with international safety practices. Okeke also highlighted the challenge of meeting Nigeria’s rapidly growing demand for affordable housing while ensuring quality and safety are not compromised.

With a shared resolve to enhance regulatory frameworks, improve public awareness, and adopt innovative building materials, SON, COREN, HDAN, CORBON, and other allied bodies reaffirmed their commitment to tackling the building collapse crisis. This unified approach marks a significant step toward creating safer, more resilient cities across Nigeria.

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