Council Cracks Down on Unqualified Engineers, Forged Credentials

The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria has introduced a series of measures to combat engineering quackery and prevent building collapse, including the establishment of a 90-Day Engineering Regulation Monitoring and Enforcement Rapid Response Task Force to intensify project monitoring and enforce engineering standards.

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This task force will serve as an emergency intervention mechanism to strengthen oversight of engineering activities nationwide and reduce the risks associated with poor engineering practices, according to the Council.

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The decisions were reached at the 189th Ordinary Council Meeting of COREN, as outlined in a statement signed by the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Okorie Austine Uche, on Wednesday.

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The initiative forms part of broader efforts to safeguard lives and property, particularly amid recurring incidents of building collapse, infrastructure failures, and concerns over the activities of unregistered practitioners, according to COREN.

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The statement announced that the Council has approved the establishment of a 90-Day Engineering Regulation Monitoring and Enforcement Rapid Response Task Force to intensify the fight against quackery and strengthen project monitoring.

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The task force will focus on enhancing compliance with engineering regulations, identifying illegal practitioners, monitoring critical engineering projects, and supporting enforcement actions where necessary, as stated in the statement.

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This intervention reflects the Council's determination to ensure that engineering works are carried out only by qualified and duly registered professionals in accordance with established standards and regulations.

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In a significant regulatory move, COREN also approved the activation of the Engineering Disciplinary Tribunal to address cases of professional misconduct and enforce ethical standards within the profession.

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The tribunal will provide a formal mechanism for investigating complaints against practitioners and imposing sanctions where violations are established, aimed at strengthening accountability and restoring public confidence in engineering practice.

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According to the statement, 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.

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The objective is to ensure that practitioners remain accountable for their actions and that professional standards are upheld at all times, as stated by COREN.

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The Council also approved a nationwide public enlightenment campaign to educate Nigerians on the dangers of engaging unregistered engineering practitioners, noting that many engineering failures occur due to project owners employing unqualified individuals.

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The campaign will sensitise members of the public, developers, contractors, and government agencies on the importance of engaging qualified professionals for engineering projects, according to the Council.

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Additionally, the campaign aims 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.

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COREN disclosed that it had uncovered nine cases involving the submission of fraudulent academic certificates by individuals seeking registration, and directed that the cases be referred to relevant anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies for investigation and possible prosecution.

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Reaffirming its zero-tolerance stance against fraud, the Council said professional regulation must be built on integrity and credibility, and will continue to collaborate with relevant authorities to ensure that offenders are brought to justice.

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As part of efforts to strengthen regulation and improve service delivery, COREN approved the registration of 3,328 engineering practitioners across various categories and 107 engineering firms.

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The Council also directed a review of existing registration guidelines to align them with emerging technologies, industry trends, and international best practices, necessary to ensure that Nigeria's engineering regulatory framework remains responsive to evolving global realities.

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To improve engineering education and quality assurance, the Council approved the gazetting of the Engineering and Technology Accreditation Bureau, reiterating its statutory responsibility for accrediting engineering programmes offered by tertiary institutions across the country.

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According to COREN, the move is expected to strengthen quality control in engineering education and ensure that graduates possess the competencies required by industry.

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The Council further approved a national stakeholders' engagement on the Draft Harmonised National Construction Safety Guidelines for the Nigerian Construction Industry, to develop a stronger framework for promoting safety within the construction sector.

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The engagement will bring together regulators, construction firms, professional bodies, government agencies, and other stakeholders to facilitate collaboration and support the development of a comprehensive safety framework, according to the statement.

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The Council directed the completion and deployment of an upgraded digital portal as part of its digital transformation agenda, which will improve operational efficiency, streamline registration processes, and enhance service delivery to engineering practitioners and stakeholders.

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The latest measures come amid increasing calls for stricter enforcement of engineering standards following several cases of building collapse and infrastructure failures recorded in different parts of the country in recent years.

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Stakeholders have repeatedly blamed many of the incidents on poor supervision, substandard materials, non-compliance with engineering specifications, and the activities of unqualified practitioners, prompting COREN to take action.

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With the activation of the disciplinary tribunal, the establishment of the enforcement task force, and the planned nationwide awareness campaign, COREN said it is determined to strengthen engineering governance, promote professionalism, and ensure that engineering works contribute positively to national development.

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The Council stressed that safeguarding lives, protecting public infrastructure, and restoring confidence in engineering practice remain central to its mandate as Nigeria's engineering regulatory authority.