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.

Jun

2017

FG Welcomes Private Sector Initiatives In The Delivery Of Affordable Housing The Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has reiterated the efforts of the present administration to provide affordable housing delivery to the teeming Nigerian population. The Minister in his keynote address delivered at the opening ceremony of the 2nd Abuja Housing and Investment Expo, noted that the theme of this year’s event "Housing and Investment for Economic Recovery’’ is most tropical and apt, considering the present government’s position for the provision of affordable housing, investment and promotion, job creation are all efforts targeted toward ensuring economic recovery. Fashola stated that the ministry is willing to collaborate with private sectors ready to invest in housing and urban development, adding that this will invariably create enabling environment for the citizens to purchase affordable houses of their choices based on their income. The Minister added that the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing will always welcome and continue to encourage new concept of decent and affordable mass housing for the people towards the full realization of government's ultimate goal as contained in the National Housing Policy. He commended the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and Shelter Aid Limited, organizers of the event for their consistency and commitment in ensuring that adequate and affordable housing provision through massive investment in the sector is actualised. The Chairman of the occasion and the Chairman Senate Committee of Federal Capital Territory, Senator Dino Melaye, regretted that corruption is an impeding factor that has hindered the development and growth in the housing sector and therefore urged stakeholders to have a change of heart and put the interest of the people first. Melaye stated that his committee is already working on ‘Rent Edit’ in Abuja that will protect tenants and landlords and help checkmate incessant increase of rents in Abuja. He added that while "not everybody can own a house", the rent edit will help to tele-guide and curb excessive rent in the Federal Capital City and the nation at large’’. He however promised that the committee will ensure that the rent edit will be passed into law before the end of the 8th Senate. Earlier in his remarks, the President of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Tony Ejinkeonye welcomed participants and invited guests to the occasion. He urged everyone to take advantage of the technical and plenary sessions and also interact with the exhibitors so that the economic recovery plan of the government is given a face-lift by private sectors’ participation. ...

Jun

2017

FEC Approves $186.6m for Completion of AFAM Power Plant, N500million for Baro Port The Federal Executive Council presided over by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday approved 186.6million dollars for the completion of the AFAM Power plant. The Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola stated this while briefing State House correspondents alongside the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, on the outcome of the Council’s meeting in Abuja.He said that the AFAM project was part of the ministry’s roadmap for incremental power to the grid. ``Council ratified the earlier approval given for GE to undertake that project so that we can complete 240MW of emergency power through 830MW turbines this year.’’ Fashola also revealed that the Council also approved ``2.2million dollars for the construction and rehabilitation of the sub-station to enable the evacuation of the power, once the turbines are installed’’. In his contribution, Amaechi revealed that the Council approved N500million for the completion of Baro River Port in Niger state. ``We hope that in the next four to six months we should be able to complete the Baro River Port. He said the Council directed the Minister of works, Power and Housing to look into possibility of reconstructing the roads leading to the River Port while the Ministry of Transportation would look at the revival of the narrow gauge to the Port. The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, disclosed that the Council granted permission to the ministry to sign a multilateral convention to implement tax treaty related matters to ``prevent tax erosion and profit shifting’’. She said: ``The benefits are the convention will swiftly modify existing bilateral tax treaties to implement tax treaty related matters in a cost efficient manner instead of individual negotiation and amendment of the treaty. ``It will address tax treaty abuse, promote transparency and drastically curtail illicit financial flows and ultimately it will increase the tax revenue of the government.’’ ...

Jun

2017

Fashola Charges Quantity Surveyors To Educate The Public On Cost And Quality Of Infrastructural Delivery The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, has charged the governing board of Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN) to educate the public on the importance of cost and quality in the delivery of infrastructures across the nation. He stated this at the inauguration ceremony of the newly constituted board of Quantity Surveyors in Abuja. The Minister said it is imperative for the board to embark on the process of enlightening the public using more of simple and regular words devoid of professional terminologies which might not be understood by a layman. Fashola noted that the elites, which include professionals in the built environment have significant role to play in terms of the aggregate quality of life in the society. He added that the assumption of the cost of project delivery are sometimes faulty but with Quantity Surveyors, who are the custodian of information on effective costing of projects delivery, can lead the debate by informing the society on the process and importance. The Minister also urged the board to develop and intensify relationship with institutions of higher learning where Quantity Survey is offered as a course and ensure that the next generations of Quantity Surveyors are professionally trained in order to be gainfully employed and self reliance. In his remarks, the president of the board of Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria, Mr. Murtala M. Aliyu, FNIQS appreciated the enormity of responsibility, task ahead and the associated challenges. He added that the immediate past board under the leadership of his predecessor, Hussaini Dikko PPNIQS had done very well to upscale the role of the relevance, growth and development of the profession but however noted that this present board will surpass their achievements. Mr. Aliyu stated that to deal with the enormity of challenge facing the country, Quantity Surveyors should be part of the pre-budget input preparation in order to have a prudent and efficient budgeting. He added that this will bring about correct cost effective template in Nigeria. He assured the Minister that the newly inaugurated board will do their best in ensuring that ethical code and lay down rules and regulation in the profession is upheld with dignity and in accordance to best practices around the world. ...