Engineering Council COREN Unveils Robust Plan to Combat Quackery, Fake Certificates

The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has announced comprehensive strategies to address engineering misconduct, curb building collapses, and enhance professional responsibility throughout the nation. Among the significant resolutions from the Council is the formation of a 90-Day Engineering Regulation Monitoring and Enforcement Rapid Response Task Force. This task force is mandated to intensify oversight of engineering projects, uphold industry standards, and pinpoint individuals practicing engineering without proper qualifications.

These resolutions emerged from COREN's 189th Ordinary Council Meeting, as confirmed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Okorie Austine Uche. According to COREN, the newly established task force will function as an urgent intervention tool, reinforcing the supervision of engineering operations nationwide and mitigating the escalating hazards linked to substandard engineering practices. COREN stated that this initiative is integral to wider endeavors aimed at protecting lives and assets, especially in light of frequent building collapses, infrastructure breakdowns, and worries concerning individuals operating without official registration.

The official statement elaborated, stating: “The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria has announced a number of strategic resolutions arising from its 189th Ordinary Council Meeting, aimed at strengthening engineering regulation, enhancing public safety, improving professional standards, and advancing key institutional reforms across the country. Council approved the establishment of a 90-Day Engineering Regulation Monitoring and Enforcement Rapid Response Task Force to intensify the fight against quackery, strengthen project monitoring and support efforts aimed at preventing building collapse and other engineering-related failures. The task force will focus on enhancing compliance with engineering regulations, identifying illegal practitioners, monitoring critical engineering projects and supporting enforcement actions where necessary. This intervention reflects the Council’s determination to ensure that engineering works across the country are carried out only by qualified and duly registered professionals in accordance with established standards and regulations,” the statement concluded.

What many observers consider a significant regulatory move in recent times, COREN also sanctioned the operationalization of the Engineering Disciplinary Tribunal. This body is intended to handle instances of professional misbehavior and uphold ethical guidelines within the engineering field. The Council clarified that this tribunal will offer a formal channel for probing grievances against practitioners and applying penalties when infractions are confirmed. As per the statement, this measure seeks to bolster accountability and rebuild public trust in engineering services. COREN further articulated: “In a major step towards strengthening professional discipline and ethical conduct, Council approved the activation of the Engineering Disciplinary Tribunal. The tribunal will provide a framework for addressing cases of professional misconduct, breaches of professional ethics and other violations that undermine the integrity of the engineering profession. The objective is to ensure that practitioners remain accountable for their actions and that professional standards are upheld at all times.”

Furthermore, the Council endorsed a nationwide public awareness initiative aimed at informing Nigerians about the hazards of hiring unregistered engineering professionals. It highlighted that numerous engineering failures stem from project owners frequently engaging individuals who do not possess the requisite qualifications, registration, or expertise to carry out engineering tasks. The Council stated: “Council approved the launch of a nationwide public awareness campaign to educate Nigerians on the dangers of engaging unregistered engineering practitioners and to promote compliance with engineering regulations and standards. The campaign will sensitise members of the public, developers, contractors and government agencies on the importance of engaging qualified professionals for engineering projects. It is also intended to deepen public understanding of the risks associated with quackery and the devastating consequences that often arise when engineering works are handled by unqualified individuals.”

In a separate significant development, COREN revealed the discovery of nine instances where fraudulent academic certificates were submitted by individuals applying for registration. The Council has mandated that these cases be forwarded to appropriate anti-corruption and law enforcement bodies for thorough investigation and potential legal action. Reiterating its firm opposition to fraud, the Council emphasized that professional regulation must be founded on principles of integrity and credibility. The statement further noted: “Council further reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the engineering profession by directing the reporting of nine cases involving fraudulent academic certificates submitted for registration to the appropriate anti-corruption authorities for investigation and possible prosecution. The Council remains committed to protecting the profession from individuals who attempt to gain entry through fraudulent means and will continue to collaborate with relevant authorities to ensure that offenders are brought to justice.”

To bolster regulation and enhance service provision, COREN sanctioned the registration of 3,328 engineering professionals across diverse specializations and 107 engineering companies. Additionally, the Council ordered a review of current registration guidelines to ensure their alignment with new technologies, industry developments, and global best practices. The statement indicated that this review is crucial for ensuring Nigeria's engineering regulatory framework adapts effectively to changing international landscapes. For the advancement of engineering education and quality assurance, the Council approved the official publication (gazetting) of the Engineering and Technology Accreditation Bureau. It also reaffirmed its legal duty to accredit engineering programs offered by tertiary institutions nationwide. COREN anticipates that this action will enhance quality control in engineering education, thereby ensuring that graduates are equipped with the skills demanded by the industry.

Furthermore, the Council greenlit a national stakeholders’ dialogue regarding the Draft Harmonised National Construction Safety Guidelines for the Nigerian Construction Industry. It clarified that this engagement aims to convene regulators, construction companies, professional associations, government bodies, and other relevant parties to forge a more robust framework for promoting safety within the construction sector. The statement outlined: “Council approved a national stakeholders’ engagement on the Draft Harmonised National Construction Safety Guidelines for the Nigerian Construction Industry. The engagement is expected to facilitate collaboration among stakeholders and support the development of a comprehensive safety framework capable of reducing accidents, improving compliance and enhancing safety performance across construction sites nationwide.”

The Council also mandated the finalization and launch of an enhanced digital portal, aligning with its digital transformation objectives. COREN believes this initiative will boost operational efficiency, simplify registration procedures, and improve service delivery for engineering professionals and other stakeholders. These recent measures are being implemented amidst growing demands for more rigorous enforcement of engineering standards, spurred by numerous incidents of building collapses and infrastructure failures reported across various regions of the country in recent years.