President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that ongoing federal road projects across the country are being constructed to last between 50 and 100 years.
The President made the remark on Wednesday in Abuja while declaring open the 34th Engineering Assembly of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), themed “Shaping Solutions: Building a Greater Future.” He was represented at the event by the Minister of Works, David Umahi.
Tinubu described COREN as a vital institution responsible for regulating engineering practice in Nigeria, stressing that public safety must remain the foundation of every infrastructure project. He said roads, bridges, buildings and other public facilities should be designed and built to safeguard lives while promoting sustainable national development.
According to him, the current administration has adopted a new approach to road construction, ensuring that federal highways are built to serve for decades, unlike previous projects that often deteriorated within a few years.
The President also called for a shift from reactive engineering regulation to a preventive and data-driven system. He emphasized that every stage of infrastructure development—from planning and design to construction, supervision and maintenance—must comply with professional engineering standards and be driven by competence and integrity.
He warned that engineering failures often lead to loss of lives, wasted public resources, reduced public confidence and setbacks in national development.
Speaking at the event, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said Nigeria’s economic transformation and long-term development would depend on prioritising engineering, innovation and technology. He noted that countries that achieved significant industrial growth did so by empowering engineers, scientists and innovators to develop homegrown solutions.
COREN President, Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, said the assembly focused on strengthening engineering regulation to improve public safety and restore confidence in the country’s infrastructure. He highlighted recent achievements by the council, including reforms in engineering education, improved regulatory oversight, digital licensing services, stronger enforcement efforts and expanded international partnerships.
He also revealed that the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) had approved the enforcement of admission quotas for engineering programmes in Nigerian universities, similar to those already applicable to Medicine, Law and Pharmacy.
Also addressing participants, the Dangote Group, represented by its Chief Economist, Prof. Hassan Mahmoud, described engineering excellence as essential to Nigeria’s economic growth. He stressed that public safety begins with proper design, quality materials, effective supervision and strict quality assurance throughout infrastructure development.
