The Federal Government has revealed that more than 420 federal roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects have been completed or significantly progressed under President Bola Tinubu’s administration within its first two years.

This was disclosed by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Barinada Mpigi, in a message delivered by his representative, Ashley Emenike, at the opening of the 33rd Engineering Assembly of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

Themed “Advancing Quality Engineering Services and Businesses in Nigeria: Professionalism, Compliance and Remunerations,” the annual gathering brought together engineering professionals nationwide to discuss industry ethics, infrastructure standards, and national development.

Mpigi commended engineers as key drivers of Nigeria’s economic growth and industrial progress, stressing that their contributions are central to building the nation. He described Nigerian engineers as not just technical experts, but strategic players who deserve a prominent place in national policy development.

“As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, I must reaffirm that engineering remains a cornerstone of national development,” Mpigi said. “Based on implementation reports and oversight missions, we estimate that over 420 federal roads, bridges, and other projects have been either completed or significantly advanced under this administration.”

He specifically praised the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, describing it as a catalyst for transformative infrastructure development, citing the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway and nationwide investments in road, housing, energy, and bridges.

However, Mpigi expressed concern over a rising trend of engineering-related failures such as collapsed buildings and deteriorating roads—blaming poor compliance with professional standards, lack of supervision, and the presence of unqualified practitioners.

“We must confront the persistent failure of infrastructure in Nigeria. It’s a national alarm,” Mpigi warned. “Buildings still collapse under rainfall, and bridges cave in under minimal pressure. This reflects gaps in regulation and must be urgently addressed.”

He pledged the committee’s full support to COREN in strengthening enforcement and ensuring compliance with engineering standards, including support for mandatory implementation of building codes across states and increased public awareness.

He also commended COREN for linking participation in the annual assembly to licence renewal, calling it a crucial step towards professional accountability and public safety.

“This approach ensures that practitioners remain current, preserves the profession’s integrity, and protects Nigerians from the consequences of incompetence,” he added.

Nnaji urges innovation, local engineering solutions

In his keynote address, former Minister of Power and Chairman of Geometric Power Group, Professor Barth Nnaji, called on the government to create innovation funds and establish technology parks to promote indigenous engineering solutions to Nigeria’s unique development challenges.

Nnaji stressed the importance of empowering engineers through sound policy and investment in innovation. “We need hubs where engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs can collaborate to build solutions suited to our environment,” he said.

He highlighted areas such as off-grid solar power, smart irrigation, and climate-resilient housing as fields where local engineers could lead the charge.

“Engineers are the builders of every economy. From roads and bridges to digital networks and healthcare systems, our work is foundational,” Nnaji said. He cited China’s rise as an example of engineers in leadership driving national transformation, noting that the country’s last three presidents had engineering backgrounds.

Nnaji urged Nigerian engineers to step beyond technical roles and become policy influencers, innovators, and strategic thinkers equipped to interpret global trends and create localized solutions.

COREN, NSE call for reforms

COREN Registrar, Engr. Okorie Uche, in his welcome remarks, emphasized the need for professionalism and a commitment to quality service delivery. He said the assembly offers a platform to address under-regulation, push systemic reforms, and advocate for improved remuneration.

He reaffirmed COREN’s commitment to fighting quackery, non-compliance, and poor service delivery, while urging support for policy reforms that elevate engineering practice in Nigeria.

Also speaking, President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Margaret Oguntala, called for improvements in education and fair compensation, noting that these are essential to restoring the profession’s prestige. She pledged continued collaboration with COREN to promote integrity and excellence in engineering across the country.