COREN Proposes Tiered Sanctions to Strengthen Technology Regulation in Nigeria
The Council for the Regulation of Technology in Nigeria (COREN) has unveiled a proposal for a tiered sanctions regime aimed at imposing penalties based on the severity of professional misconduct. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance technology regulation, promote accountability, and bolster public safety across the nation.
Announcement Ahead of Engineering General Assembly
During a recent media briefing, COREN Chairman Professor Sadiku Abubakar shared the proposal in anticipation of the 34th COREN Engineering General Assembly, which is scheduled to take place from July 13 to 15, 2026, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome in Abuja.
Establishing a Balanced Sanctions Framework
Abubakar emphasized that one of the council’s foremost objectives is to create a sanctions framework that ensures fairness while enhancing accountability, ultimately restoring public trust in the engineering profession. The proposed system incorporates various responses ranging from corrective measures and mandatory professional development to the potential suspension or revocation of licenses, as well as legal prosecution when necessary. “This approach is intended to apply sanctions appropriately—not just to punish, but to deter misconduct and foster compliance,” he stated.
Legislative Reforms and Enhanced Regulatory Powers
The chairman also highlighted COREN’s commitment to pursuing legislative reforms that will fortify the Engineers (Registration etc.) Act. These changes aim to provide the council with expanded regulatory authority, aligning its practices with global standards and introducing a revised ECOPACCE.
Focus on Engineering Governance and Public Safety
Abubakar noted that this year’s general assembly theme, “Advancing Nigeria’s Public Safety through Strategic Engineering Regulation, Enforcement and Tiered Sanctions Regime,” underlines COREN’s dedication to safeguarding lives, protecting infrastructure, and enhancing governance in engineering. He pointed out that many engineering failures stem from poor compliance, asserting that “every engineering failure begins as a compliance failure before it escalates into an infrastructure failure.”
Strengthening Regulatory Oversight
COREN is undergoing a transformation towards what it describes as strategic engineering regulation, which extends beyond mere registration and licensing. The framework includes proactive planning, risk-based oversight, continuous professional development, stakeholder collaboration, as well as systematic monitoring and enforcement. The organization is intensifying regulatory efforts through nationwide inspections, specialized audits, and working closely with both governmental entities and industry regulators.
Challenges and Opportunities ahead for COREN
Despite recent advancements, Abubakar acknowledged significant challenges such as ongoing quackery, inadequate funding for enforcement, and a general lack of compliance with engineering standards. To address these issues, he stated that COREN plans to harness digital technologies like artificial intelligence and data analytics to enhance oversight and compliance. Partnerships with educational institutions and industry stakeholders are also set to be strengthened.
Collaborative Efforts and Public Advocacy
During the briefing, COREN Vice President Engineer Olaolu Ogunduire urged journalists to assist the council in identifying unqualified engineering professionals. He noted, “You may not be an engineer, but you can serve as a whistleblower if you spot incompetence.” Such vigilance is crucial for reducing incidents of building collapses and enhancing local content development in Nigeria’s engineering sector.
Groundwork for Future Developments
COREN Registrar Professor Uche Okorie highlighted the organization’s commitment to public advocacy, noting that effective engineering regulations are fundamentally linked to public safety. He acknowledged that funding constraints hinder the council’s ability to extend its regulatory reach across Nigeria’s 774 local governments, yet reiterated COREN’s openness to collaborate with universities and other regulatory bodies. Okorie expressed that developers who violate approved engineering designs will be held accountable, even if they try to evade responsibility.
