Okada: The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has inducted 61 engineering graduates of Igbinedion University into the engineering profession. This event marks the institution’s first-ever official induction and oath-taking ceremony since its establishment in 1999.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, President of COREN, addressed the ceremony and noted that the council currently regulates over 500 engineering programmes across 114 universities in Nigeria. He emphasized that competence, rather than mere graduation, defines a true engineer. Represented by Prof. Sunny Onohaebi, Abubakar highlighted COREN’s stringent checklist, which includes admission quotas, student indexing, internship requirements, and mandatory oath administration.
The president stated, “COREN developed a checklist in line with global best practices as witnessed here in Igbinedion University,” reaffirming the council’s commitment to maintaining international benchmarks. He reassured the university administration of COREN’s resolve to uphold the Washington Accord benchmark within the university system and commended Igbinedion University for adhering to global engineering education standards. Abubakar encouraged the inductees to approach the profession with excellence and discipline.
Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, Vice-Chancellor of the university, described the event as an induction of a new cadre of problem-solvers, innovators, and nation-builders into the esteemed fold of the engineering profession. The theme of the induction lecture was “The Strategic Roles of Engineers in Advancing National Development amid Insecurity and Economic Challenges,” which he stated was not an abstract academic topic but the very reality of the nation. He highlighted the indispensable role of engineers in addressing Nigeria’s most pressing challenges.
Ezemonye remarked, “Engineers are the master architects of tangible progress. While others analyse and debate, you build.” He urged the new inductees to be ethical, innovative, and solutions-oriented, encouraging them to create jobs and uphold integrity as a non-negotiable material in every project they undertake.
In his opening address, Prof. Rowland Azike, Dean of the College of Engineering, described the ceremony as “a defining moment” that transformed the graduates from students into professionals. He announced that the inductees emerged from six programmes: Chemical, Computer, Civil, Electrical/Electronic, Mechanical, and Petroleum Engineering. Among them, 16 achieved first class, including the best graduating student of the 2024/2025 set.
Prof. Azike noted that the maiden COREN induction represented a milestone for the institution, which has produced over 1,520 engineering graduates since it first admitted students in 2002/2003. He emphasized the precision, courage, and dedication required in the engineering discipline, stating, “You are the lucky set to kick start the induction of Engineering graduates in Igbinedion University by COREN.”