From Lateef Taiwo

Former Minister of Power Professor Barth Nnaji has stated that adequate support for the engineering profession in Nigeria by ensuring adequate funding and capacity building opportunities for practitioners to bring them up to speed with knowledge in modern innovations that would enhance their role in nation-building.

Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja as the chairman of the opening ceremony of the 33rd COREN Engineering Assembly, Nnaji who is the founder and chairman of the indigenous power company, Geometric Power Limited (GPL) stressed the importance of engineers in driving inclusive growth and addressing Nigeria’s infrastructure and development challenges.

COREN as the regulatory body with the mandate to regulate and control the engineering education, training and practice of engineering in all its aspects and ramifications.

The theme for the 2025 Assembly is “Advancing Quality Engineering Services and Businesses in Nigeria-Professional Compliance and Remuneration.”

Prof Nnaji recommended the establishment of dedicated innovation funds, and technology parks where engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs can collaborate to build indigenous solutions tailored to Nigeria’s unique challenges by the federal government (FG).

He equally urged the federal government to enact and enforce forward-looking policies that promote innovation, incentivise research and development, and streamline regulatory processes to accelerate national development through engineering.

He said: “Establishing dedicated funds and technology parks where engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs collaborate will foster homegrown solutions.

“The government also has a vital role to play. It must enact and enforce clear, forward-looking policies that incentivise research and development, protect intellectual property, and streamline regulatory approvals.”

He called on the authorities to play their part by providing the enabling environment for engineering enterprises to thrive.

The professor also advocated a transparent public-private partnership (PPP) framework, which he said, is essential to leverage private sector expertise and financing in delivering large-scale infrastructure projects.

“Government can tap into private engineering expertise and capital, accelerating delivery while ensuring accountability,” he added.

While highlighting the critical role engineers play in national development from constructing roads and power plants to designing digital infrastructure, he stressed the importance of adapting academic curricula to include digital literacy, artificial intelligence, and interdisciplinary learning.

“Engineers are nation builders. When given the opportunity, we create solutions that are essential for inclusive development,” he said, noting that technological innovation must be underpinned by ethical standards and professional competence”, he said.

Referencing China as an example Engr Nnaji said China which is the fastest growing economy in the world has engineers occupying most of her top government offices as decision custodians.

Engr Nnaji balanced his call by tasking his fellow professionals to reaffirm commitment to upholding the highest standards of excellence in ethics and innovation.

“Let us mentor the next generation, sharing both our technical knowledge and our sense of civic responsibility. As we stand at the crossroads of possibility, let us chart a course guided by ingenuity collaboration and a shared vision of a prosperous, sustainable Nigeria.

Concluding his advice, Nnaji said, “To our government partners, I urge you to recognise that engineers are not merely service providers, but strategic allies in nation building, together we can harness technology rooted in our unique context to build resilient infrastructure, spur economic development and uplift every Nigerian community.”

Earlier in his welcome remarks, President and Chairman in Council of COREN, Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, who expressed concern over the recurring engineering failures, especially housing collapse, across the country in recent times sought collaboration of states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in addressing the challenge of non-compliance with standards, leading to engineering failures.

According to Abubakar, the theme of this year’s COREN Assembly is very apt, focusing on key issues of professionalism, compliance and remuneration while delivering quality engineering services and businesses.

“So, I call on captains of industry, state governments and the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, to join hands with COREN technical committees in the states, expatriate monitoring committees and other sectorial regulators.

This is to curb the dangerous trends of non-compliance with codes and standards leading to engineering failures occurring in the various sectors.

These trends have caused loss of lives, properties, investments and loss of confidence in the engineering profession,” he said.

The COREN President at the beginning of the event expressed on behalf of himself, his family and the entire COREN family expressed deep sorrow over the demise of immediate past president of Nigeria, General Muhammadu Buhari announced a week’s mourning period for the late former president, Muhammadu Buhari, adding that the event, since it had started before the sad news filtered in was allowed to hold low-keyed.

Declaring a one-minute silent for the repose of the soul of the Ex-President, Abubakar said the 33rd COREN Engineering Assembly would have been postponed to mourn him if not for the fact that the programme commenced earlier.

On his part, COREN Registrar, Prof. Okorie A. U. Uche expressed an unreserved gratitude to the dignitaries, professionals, and other invested guests who had come from far and near to grace the occasion, noting that it was a sign that they all wanted the best for the engineering profession in Nigeria.

“It speaks directly to the core of what we must continue to pursue: quality in engineering services that leads to local and global standard, professionalism that reflect ethical conduct, technical excellence and accountability, compliance with enhance competence that impacts the people socioeconomically,” he said.