President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed the Federal Government's commitment to strengthening engineering regulation, promoting quality infrastructure delivery and safeguarding public safety, saying no infrastructure project is worth more than human life.
The President, represented by the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, made the declaration while opening the 34th Engineering Assembly of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) in Abuja.
Speaking on the theme, "Advancing Public Safety in Nigeria through Strategic Engineering Regulatory Enforcement and a Tiered Sanctioning Regime," Tinubu described engineering as the backbone of national development and stressed that effective regulatory enforcement is critical to protecting lives, ensuring quality infrastructure and restoring public confidence in the profession.
He said regulations are designed not to punish professionals but to protect the public interest, insisting that "no road, bridge or building is more valuable than human life."
The President also reiterated his administration's commitment to completing the four Legacy Road Projects spread across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones under the Renewed Hope Agenda, describing them as strategic investments that will enhance connectivity, stimulate economic growth and drive sustainable national development.
Umahi commended COREN for choosing a theme that aligns with the Federal Government's vision of delivering quality infrastructure through strict adherence to engineering standards.
He warned that engineering failures often result in irreversible consequences, urging stronger regulation, effective enforcement and tougher sanctions against unqualified practitioners and professionals who compromise ethical and technical standards.
The minister also advised site engineers to maintain professional independence and resist pressure from contractors, while calling on COREN to strengthen its disciplinary processes to ensure that only qualified engineers are allowed to practice.
He expressed confidence that ongoing infrastructure investments and adherence to engineering best practices would significantly reduce Nigeria's infrastructure deficit in the coming years.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the minister, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. Rafiu Adeladan, said infrastructure development remains central to the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He noted that the ministry's four Legacy Road Projects are designed to improve national integration, facilitate commerce, connect communities and attract investment, while emphasizing that quality assurance, professionalism and strict compliance with engineering regulations are essential for sustainable infrastructure development.
Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, represented by Prof. Hassan Umaru, described engineering excellence as the foundation of public trust, industrial competitiveness and national development.
Drawing from the experience of the Dangote Refinery project, he said strict engineering standards, quality control and technical discipline were key to its successful delivery and urged COREN to sustain robust regulatory enforcement against erring practitioners.
Earlier, COREN President, Engr. Prof. Sadiq Zubair Abubakar, outlined the council's statutory mandate to regulate engineering education and practice in line with international standards.
He disclosed that COREN has introduced digital verification and enforcement systems to improve transparency, eliminate fraudulent practices and strengthen regulatory compliance.
Abubakar also advocated mandatory industrial training for engineering graduates before their participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), describing practical experience as essential to professional competence.
Other speakers at the assembly also stressed the importance of collaboration among government, academia, industry and professional bodies to advance engineering excellence and improve public safety.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Bosun Tijjani, pledged continued collaboration with engineering regulatory agencies, while Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, representing the Nigeria Governors' Forum, called for an enabling environment that allows engineers to thrive.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, commended COREN for strengthening engineering regulation and praised the Ministry of Works for the progress recorded on the ongoing Legacy Road Projects across the country.
The 34th COREN Engineering Assembly concluded with renewed calls for stronger regulatory enforcement, ethical engineering practice and sustained commitment to delivering safe, durable and high-quality infrastructure nationwide.