Engineering graduates in Nigeria may soon be required to complete a mandatory one-year residency programme before proceeding for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), following a raft of reforms unveiled by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).
The reforms, announced during the 34th COREN Engineering Assembly held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, are expected to reshape engineering education, professional licensing, and career development in the country.
Kristina Reports learnt that the proposed one-year residency programme is designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry practice by giving engineering graduates hands-on experience before they begin the mandatory national service.
If implemented, the policy would mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s engineering training system, drawing similarities with the residency programme required for newly qualified medical doctors.
Another major development announced at the assembly is the planned end to the posting of engineering graduates to non-engineering organisations during the NYSC scheme.
COREN said it has entered into partnership agreements with engineering firms across the country to ensure graduates gain practical experience in relevant industries during both the proposed residency programme and their service year.
The council also introduced a compulsory Continuous Professional Development Programme (CPDP) for engineers, engineering technologists, technicians, and craftsmen.
Under the new framework, registered professionals will be required to earn a minimum CPDP score annually before their practising licenses can be renewed, a move aimed at promoting continuous learning and ensuring professionals remain up to date with emerging technologies and global best practices.
In another significant development, COREN announced progress toward deeper international recognition of Nigerian engineering qualifications through global engineering agreements, a move expected to improve opportunities for Nigerian engineers seeking employment and professional mobility outside the country.
Speaking at the opening of the assembly, President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, called for stronger engineering regulation to improve public safety and ensure quality infrastructure delivery across the country.
COREN President, Prof. Sadiq Zubair Abubakar, said the reforms form part of the council’s efforts to strengthen engineering regulation, eliminate quackery, improve professional standards, and produce engineers capable of competing globally.
Industry stakeholders believe the proposed reforms could significantly improve the quality of engineering practice in Nigeria. However, they note that successful implementation will depend on adequate collaboration between COREN, universities, engineering firms, employers, and the National Youth Service Corps.
If fully implemented, the reforms are expected to redefine the career path of future engineering graduates while raising professional standards across Nigeria’s engineering sector.