The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has endorsed the ongoing reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), describing the initiative as a significant step toward producing skilled, industry-ready graduates equipped to meet global professional standards.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday ahead of COREN’s 34th Assembly scheduled for July 13–15, the council’s President, Sadiq Abubakar, said the revamped NYSC programme aligns with the council’s long-standing advocacy for practical training, structured mentorship and stronger industry exposure for young professionals.
According to him, the reforms address concerns COREN has consistently raised over the past two decades regarding the need to bridge the gap between classroom learning and workplace realities.
“I am happy to note that the NYSC scheme has been repackaged and it has responded to some of our calls for the last 20 years,” he said.
Abubakar noted that the revamped scheme would provide engineering graduates with hands-on mentoring and practical experience needed to prepare them for future leadership and management responsibilities.
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He said COREN fully supports aspects of the reforms that strengthen industrial attachment, residency programmes and structured NYSC engagements for graduates of universities and polytechnics.
The COREN president also disclosed that the council has secured the endorsement of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and approval from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to enforce admission quotas for engineering programmes.
He explained that the policy places engineering alongside regulated professions such as medicine, law and pharmacy, where student admissions are controlled to maintain training quality.
According to him, the measure will improve practical competencies, strengthen engineering education and produce graduates capable of competing both within Nigeria and internationally.
Abubakar described the policy as a major milestone that would enhance the global recognition and mobility of Nigerian engineers, technologists and technicians.
He further announced the reintroduction of graduate indexing, oath-taking ceremonies and a mandatory one-year engineering residency programme before NYSC deployment, alongside new partnerships aimed at expanding industry-based residency opportunities.
The COREN president added that the council has developed a harmonised continuing professional development framework and trained 868 programme implementers as well as 839 evaluators as part of efforts to strengthen professional standards.
He reaffirmed COREN’s commitment to producing globally competitive engineering professionals capable of contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s development.
