Nigerian Engineering Graduates Face New One-Year Residency Requirement

The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has announced the reintroduction of a mandatory one-year Engineering Residency Program for all engineering graduates from Nigerian universities and polytechnics. This program, previously known as the Supervised Industrial Training Scheme in Engineering, aims to provide practical experience to graduates before their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year.

COREN President, Sadiq Abubakar, stated that this two-year post-graduation pathway (residency plus NYSC) aligns with International Standards and is part of Nigeria's Mutual Recognition Agreement under the International Engineering Alliance. This move is consistent with practices in other regulated professions like law, medicine, and pharmacy. The goal is to ensure Nigerian engineers can compete and practice globally.

The council is working with the government to provide a monthly stipend of N75,000 for participants, with a task force established to secure sustainable funding.

In addition to the residency program, COREN will focus on Professional Compliance And Remuneration at its upcoming 33rd Engineering Assembly. The council has revised its Engineering Compensation and Professional Scale Structure (ECOPASS) to provide updated payment guidelines for engineers, technologists, and technicians in both public and private sectors, addressing issues like quackery and the payment of expatriates in foreign currency.

COREN also plans to enforce Annual Renewal Of Practicing Licenses, requiring professional development courses. They are collaborating with the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for joint accreditation of engineering programs, and with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to regulate admission and enrollment of engineering students.

Furthermore, COREN has established seven regional offices and is leading Nigeria's input in the National Skills Qualification Framework. These initiatives are designed to strengthen Nigeria's engineering workforce and enable them to excel internationally. Former Vice President, Prof. Oluyemi Osinbajo, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the

assembly.

The exact academic year from which this residency officially commences and applies to specific graduating sets has not been explicitly announced. It's expected that the implementation timelines and logistical details (including commencement dates and who it specifically applies to) will be formally launched and clarified at the 33rd Engineering Assembly, scheduled to hold between July 15 and 17, 2025, in Abuja.

Posted on: Tue Jul 15 2025 Back to posts