COREN launches 90-day task force to crush quack engineers, fake certificates

The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has declared war on quack engineers. At its 189th Ordinary Council Meeting, the regulator approved a 90-day rapid response task force to monitor projects, enforce standards, and identify people practising without proper qualifications.

The decision came after the council uncovered nine cases of fake certificate submissions. The statement, signed by Registrar and Chief Executive Officer Okorie Austine Uche, didn't name the individuals involved or say what action would be taken against them.

"The task force will focus on enhancing compliance with engineering regulations, identifying illegal practitioners, monitoring critical engineering projects and supporting enforcement actions where necessary," the statement read.

The task force is an emergency intervention. Its job is to strengthen oversight across the country and reduce the risks that come with poor engineering — risks that have shown up repeatedly in building collapses and infrastructure failures.

COREN also activated its Engineering Disciplinary Tribunal. The tribunal will investigate complaints against practitioners and hand down sanctions where violations are proven. The council said the tribunal is meant to enforce ethical standards and restore public confidence in the profession.

"In a major step towards strengthening professional discipline and ethical conduct, Council approved the activation of the Engineering Disciplinary Tribunal," COREN said. "The tribunal will provide a framework for addressing cases of professional misconduct, breaches of professional ethics and other violations that undermine the integrity of the engineering profession."

The council didn't say when the tribunal last sat or how many cases are pending.

On top of enforcement, COREN approved a nationwide public awareness campaign. The campaign will teach Nigerians — especially developers, contractors, and government agencies — about the dangers of hiring unregistered engineers. The council noted that many engineering failures happen because project owners employ people without the right qualifications or registration.

COREN's moves come amid recurring building collapses across Nigeria. In Lagos, a building collapse in March 2026 killed several people and sparked calls for a probe. In Gombe, a collapsed bridge recently cut off a community from healthcare, leaving pregnant women stranded.

The council's decisions signal a shift toward more aggressive regulation. Whether the 90-day task force and the tribunal will actually reduce quackery remains uncertain — but for now, COREN has put unregistered practitioners on notice.