The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has secured approval for admission quotas into engineering programmes across Nigerian universities.
The approval was jointly granted by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
The new policy will regulate the number of students admitted into engineering and technology courses.
Admissions will now depend on the available facilities, laboratories and academic staff in each institution.
COREN President, Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, announced the development during a media briefing in Abuja.
He described the approval as a major breakthrough after years of advocacy.
According to him, unrestricted admissions had overstretched facilities and weakened practical training.
He said the new system would improve the quality of engineering education.
Engineering programmes will now operate under the same admission controls as medicine, law and pharmacy.
Prof. Abubakar said the policy would ensure students receive adequate practical exposure.
He added that discussions are ongoing with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to introduce similar quotas in polytechnics.
COREN has also restored the indexing and oath-taking of engineering graduates.
The council has made the one-year Engineering Residency Programme compulsory for degree and HND graduates.
The residency programme must be completed before participants proceed for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The initiative is aimed at strengthening practical skills and industry experience.
Prof. Abubakar also revealed that 239 engineering forensic investigators have been trained.
The investigators will handle cases involving building collapses, bridge failures and industrial accidents.
He added that 839 programme evaluators have also been trained to improve accreditation and quality assurance.
COREN has intensified compliance inspections, expanded regional offices and digitised its registration process.
The council believes the reforms will improve engineering education, enhance public safety and produce globally competitive Nigerian engineers.
