Federal Ministry of Works

Jul

2026

LATEST PRESS

PRESIDENT TINUBU REITERATES COMMITMENT TO QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE DELIVERY AT THE 34TH COREN ENGINEERING ASSEMBLY

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has reaffirmed the Federal Government's unwavering commitment to strengthening engineering regulations, promoting quality infrastructure, and safeguarding public safety across Nigeria.

Represented by the Honourable Minister of Works, *Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE *, while declaring open the 34th COREN Engineering Assembly, the President described the Assembly’s theme, *"Advancing Public Safety in Nigeria through Strategic Engineering Regulatory Enforcement and a Tiered Sanctioning Regime,"* as timely and relevant to the nation’s developmental aspirations.

The President stated that engineering remains the backbone of national development and that effective regulatory enforcement is essential for protecting lives, ensuring quality infrastructure, and restoring public confidence in the engineering profession.

He stressed that regulations are not intended to punish professionals but to protect public interest, noting that *” no road, bridge, or building is more valuable than human life.”*

President Tinubu assured participants that his administration remains fully committed to completing the four (4) Legacy Road Projects across the six geopolitical zones, under the Renewed Hope Agenda. He described them as strategic investments that will transform the nation’s economy, improve connectivity, and stimulate sustainable development.

The Honourable Minister of Works commended the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) for choosing an apt theme that aligns with the Federal Government’s vision for quality infrastructure delivery and adherence to public safety.

He noted that engineering is a profession where mistakes can cost human lives, emphasising that, unlike many other professions, there is often no opportunity for appeal after a structural failure. He, therefore, called for stronger regulations, strict enforcement, and effective sanctions against unqualified practitioners and professionals, who compromise ethics and standards.

Engr. Umahi stressed that site engineers must discharge their responsibilities professionally and should never allow contractors to dictate engineering decisions. He urged Council to strengthen its disciplinary mechanisms, similar to other professional regulatory bodies, to ensure that only qualified engineers are allowed to practice.

The Minister highlighted the achievements of President Tinubu’s administration, especially the ongoing Legacy Road Projects spread across all the geopolitical zones, designed to improve economic integration, enhance national security, create employment opportunities, and stimulate investment.

He expressed confidence that with continued discipline, transparency, and adherence to engineering ethos, Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit would be significantly reduced within the coming years.

Presenting the *Keynote Address* on behalf of the Honourable Minister, the *Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. Rafiu Adeladan,* stated that the Renewed Hope Agenda places infrastructure development at the centre of Nigeria’s economic transformation. He explained that the Ministry is implementing four major Legacy Projects across the geopolitical zones to connect communities, promote commerce, improve national integration, and encourage investment.

The Permanent Secretary emphasised that quality assurance, competence, professionalism, and independence amongst stakeholders remain fundamental requirements for sustainable infrastructure development. He urged engineers to uphold ethical standards, comply strictly with engineering regulations and best practices, and strengthen resilience through adherence to due process

The Chairman of the occasion, *Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON,* represented by *Prof. Hassan Umaru* described the Assembly as timely and significant, noting that engineering excellence remains the foundation of public trust, industrial competitiveness, and national development.

He observed that every infrastructure project must be executed according to approved standards and maintained throughout its lifespan. Drawing from the experience of the *Dangote Refinery* project, he explained that rigorous engineering design, quality control, technical discipline, and strict compliance with standards were critical to its successful delivery.

The Chairman called for sustained excellence within the engineering profession and urged COREN to continue strengthening regulatory frameworks, while enforcing disciplinary measures against erring practitioners, in order to safeguard lives and property.

In his *Welcome Address,* the *President of COREN, Engr. Prof. Sadiq Zubair Abubakar, FNSE,* outlined the Council’s statutory responsibility of regulating engineering education and practice in Nigeria, in line with international standards and recommended practices.

He explained that engineering graduates are expected to undergo mandatory industrial training before participating in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), describing practical exposure as critical to professional competence.

Prof. Abubakar further disclosed that COREN has successfully introduced digital verification and enforcement systems to improve transparency, eliminate fraudulent practices, and strengthen regulatory compliance.

He assured members that the Council would continue to uphold integrity, professionalism, and accountability, while addressing attempts by some practitioners to circumvent established standards. According to him, engineering regulation must remain transparent, sustainable, and effective in preventing infrastructure failures across the country.

In his introductory remarks, *Prof. O. A. U. Uche* emphasised the importance of sustaining quality infrastructure development through continuous improvement in engineering practice. He described infrastructure development as a collective responsibility requiring collaboration among government, professional bodies, academia, industry, and private sector stakeholders. In this vein, he, therefore, called for stronger synergy in advancing engineering excellence and national development.

The *Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Bosun Tijjani*, stated that science, technology, and engineering remain critical drivers of economic growth, innovation, and public safety. He pledged continued collaboration between the Ministry and engineering regulatory agencies.

Representing the Nigeria Governors' Forum, the *Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang,* opined that engineering is one of the most respected professions globally and emphasised the need to create an enabling environment for engineers to thrive, while sustaining public safety and economic development.

The *National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda*, commended COREN for its achievements in regulating engineering practice. He described engineers as the backbone of national development and praised the Federal Ministry of Works, under the leadership of Engr. David Umahi for the remarkable progress recorded on the four Legacy Road Projects and others across the six geopolitical zones.

He congratulated the Ministry for its commitment to quality infrastructure and affirmed that Nigerian engineers continue to distinguish themselves through professionalism and excellence both nationally and internationally.

The 34th Engineering Assembly reaffirms
COREN’s commitment to strengthening engineering regulations, enforcement, and a tiered sanctioning regime to ensure public safety and sustainable infrastructure development in Nigeria.

Mar

2020

Find New Ways To Bridge The Road And Housing Gap In The Country - Fashola The Honourable Minster of Works and Housing Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has called on participants at the National Policy on Development, (N-PoD), summit to use the occasion to identify new ways to tackle the numerous problems responsible for road and housing infrastructure gap in the Country. The Minister who was represented by the Hon. Minister of State for Works and Housing Engr. Abubakar D Aliyu made this call while delivering the key note address at the second edition of the National Policy on Development summit in Abuja today. Fashola disclosed that as part of efforts to bridge the infrastructure gap the Ministry of Works and Housing had intervened in the construction of internal roads in 44 tertiary institutions. He added that the intervention forms part of the over 500 roads and bridge projects currently being undertaken by the Ministry. On the housing deficit in Nigeria the Minister said, “The Ministry is concerned about mitigating the deficit and ensuring that Nigerians wherever they reside have access to affordable, conducive and hygienic housing.” He further said “The National Housing Programm is ongoing across the country with over 2,500 units completed in 34 States of the Federation.” Fashola further revealed that the Federal Mortgage Bank and the Federal Housing Authority were increasing the housing stock to Nigerians through several programmes such as rent to own, mortgage finance ownership and so on. The Minster of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammed Bello, who was represented by Professor M.T Usman praised the organisers of the summit for bringing together stakeholders to brainstorm and galvanise ideas on how best to move the nation forward. He described the theme of the summit “Actualizing The Next Level Agenda, Strategies, Prospects And Anticipated Challenges” as apt saying that the FCT administration was working hard to ensure that Nigerians felt the impact of good governance. On his part, the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba stressed the need for the National Orientation Agency to work assiduously to encourage Nigerians to patronise made in Nigerian products. He said otherwise Nigerian oil will continue to create jobs and wealth for other nations because of the preference for foreign goods over made in Nigeria goods by Nigerians. The Minister also decried the attitude of Nigerians to work as some Nigerians consider certain jobs degrading even as income from such jobs could meet their needs. He said, “The only way we can take people out of poverty is if we can change them from mere population to working force.” He argued that Nigeria is blessed with everything that other developed nations have and would rise to greater height if the citizens change their attitude. The Summit was declared open by President Muhammadu Buhari who was represented by the Permanent Secretary at the Office of the Secretary to The Government of The Federation, Mr. Andrew David Adejoh. Also present at the occasion were the Minister of Defence, Representative of the Kano stat Governor, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Stakeholders from the organised Private Sector and Labour Union representatives. ...

Mar

2020

FUTA VC Applauds FG For Rehabilitation Of Internal Roads Intervention The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure Ondo State, Prof. Joseph Adeola Fuwape has applauded the Federal Government for the initiative of intervention in the internal roads construction in the institution. The VC made the commendation while officially taking over 1.80 kilometers internal roads rehabilitated by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. He appreciated the Honourable Minister Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN and the entire Ministry for the internal roads intervention project at the institution. Prof. Fuwape solicited for the Honourable Minster, for the engagement of the students of Civil and Engineering Department of the institution in the Ministry's highway and housing projects in the state for practical experiences, adding that such partnership would help the students acquire the nitty gritty of roads and housing construction before graduation He however pleaded that more internal roads of the institution should be included in the second intervention phase of the project to increase it to 2.8 kilometer from the present one. He said," We are excited about this, we want more like Oliver Twist." In his remarks at the handing over ceremony, the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN who was represented by the Acting Controller of Works Ondo State, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Engr. Olajide Hussein said that the gap of Nigeria's infrastructure needs is steadily being bridged by a gradual process of repairs, renewal and construction on major highways and it has reached the schools. Mr. Fashola said that the internal road project at the Federal University of Technology Akure is an investment in education by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. The Deputy Vice President of the Federal University of Technology Akure Students Union, Caroline Felix said that she was impressed by the internal road intervention project at the institution, adding that with this development, students would be able to attend lectures with ease. ...

Feb

2020

VC Commends Fashola For Internal Road Intervention Project In University The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Gashua, Yobe State, Professor Andrew Haruna has commended the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SANfor the internal road intervention project he executed in his University. The highly excited Vice Chancellor said, " I am excited, excitement is the summary here. In fact any other adjective I use now will water down my joy." The Minister was represented at the handover ceremony by the Federal Controller of Works Yobe State, Engr. Akinmade Babalola. Fashola, in his address at the handover ceremony, said, "Thee gap of our infrastructure needs is steadily being bridged by a gradual process of repairs, renewal and construction on major highways and it has reached the schools." Fashola said that the quality of education would no doubt be impacted by the quality of infrastructure and the learning environment, pointing out that the feedback from students in the institutions that benefited from such intervention attested to that, "The intervention by Federal Government will improve the ambience and environment of Federal Tertiary Institutions to enhance academic activities,"he said. Federal University Gashua is among the 18 Federal Tertiary Institutions that benefited from the Federal Government Road Intervention Project executed by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing under phase I and ll. Professor Haruna also said, "If one must say the truth, without any embellishment, one can say, if all agencies of the Government will take the steps taken by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in investing a little here and a little there, this University will, within the next few years, have it's share of massive infrastructural development. It is for this reason that I stand here to appreciate the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing for their initiative and intervention." Accordingly, the Vice Chancellor appreciated the kind gesture of the Federal Government for the concern and committment shown to towards the development of the citadel of learning under the prevailing austere times in the country. Representative of the Students Union Government (SUG), Comrade Mahammad Haruna, who is also the Financial Secretary Zone C of the Union, commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola,SAN for such projects in tertiary institutions. Comrade Haruna said, the projects are not only dear to the Federal University of Gashua but to the entire national body of students union because of the positive impacts they would have on education in the country. The completed internal road project in the Federal University of Gashua comprised of rehabilitation and asphalt overlay, construction of reinforced concrete drainage and patching of potholes of 300 meters. So far eighteen (18) out of the forty-three (43) road intervention projects procured under phase I (2017) and phase ii (2018) appropriations had been completed across tertiary institutions nationwide. ...