The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has officially relaunched a mandatory one-year post-graduation engineering residency scheme, aimed at strengthening the hands-on competence of engineering graduates nationwide.
At a press briefing ahead of the 33rd Engineering Assembly (scheduled for July 15–17, 2025 in Abuja), COREN President, Prof. Sadiq Zubair Abubakar, announced the revival of what was once called the Supervised Industrial Training Scheme in Engineering (SITSIE). The programme is now branded as the Engineering Residency Programme (EREP) and will precede the NYSC mobilisation for engineering graduates
“After graduation, our engineering graduates will now have to undergo mandatory one‑year residency in their area of specialisation … to develop proficiency and hands‑on experience … before NYSC deployment,” Prof. Abubakar said
Bridging Theory and Practice
The goal of EREP is to bridge the longstanding gap between theoretical engineering education and practical skills—a move designed to enhance employability and align Nigeria with global engineering standards. The programme directly responds to Nigeria’s 2023 provisional accession to the Washington Accord under the Mutual Recognition Agreement, highlighting a push towards international mobility for Nigerian engineers
The training will involve placements in engineering firms or relevant industry settings, with categories for graduates of both universities and polytechnics. COREN’s Registrar, Prof. Ademola Adisa, emphasized that the initiative includes:
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Indexed tracking of engineering students in all institutions;
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Mandatory oath-taking for graduates;
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Joint accreditation efforts with the National Universities Commission (NUC) for university programmes, and continued collaboration with NBTE for those from polytechnics
Funding & Incentives
Recognizing the financial burden on participants, COREN is exploring funding models involving the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and support from the National Assembly. A task force chaired by former APC National Secretary Senator Iyiola Omisore has been constituted to drive this effort
Prof. Abubakar also proposed a monthly stipend of ₦75,000 for each residency participant. This amount, still pending approval, aims to mitigate economic challenges and encourage full participation
A Two-Year Road to Full Certification
With the EREP in place, Nigerian engineers will undergo a structured two-year certification path before being eligible to register with COREN:
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One-year engineering residency (hands-on, supervised training);
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One-year participation in NYSC within engineering placements.
Only after both periods and successful completion of professional development requirements will they qualify for COREN registration as engineers or technologists, making them eligible for global practice under the Washington Accord framework
Beyond Residency: Reforms in Regulation
Other key initiatives include:
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Annual renewal of practicing licences tied to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits, overseen by a newly formed Engineering Professional Examination Committee (involving NSE, NATE, NiSET, and NAEC)
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Updated fee and remuneration structure—ECOPASS—aimed at standardising compensation modes (hourly, daily, monthly) and reducing quackery in the profession
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Expansion of COREN’s presence with seven regional offices (including Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Ibadan, Gombe) to oversee quality across key sectors like oil & gas, telecommunications, construction, and agriculture.
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Strengthened accreditation with JAMB support to regulate engineering admissions and align entry criteria with global standards
Spotlight: 33rd Engineering Assembly
Under the theme “Advancing Quality Engineering Services and Businesses in Nigeria, Professional Compliance and Remuneration,” the upcoming assembly will feature:
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Stakeholder dialogues and technical sessions;
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An “engineering family forum” with professional associations;
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A review of ECOPASS;
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A keynote address by former Vice President Prof. Oluyemi Osinbajo
What’s Next?
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Immediate: Launch of a national advocacy campaign for funding and institutional backing.
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Medium-term: Rollout of EREP nationwide and deployment of engineer-residents.
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Long-term: Full operationalisation of the two-year certification pathway, professional licencing reforms, and enhanced alignment with global engineering best practices.