COREN Drags Two Engineers To Tribunal Over Building Collapses

The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has established prima facie cases against two engineers over separate building collapse incidents in Gombe State and Abuja, paving the way for further disciplinary proceedings before its Engineering Tribunal.

The Council said the investigation reports on the incidents were approved at its 191st Ordinary Council Meeting held on October 15, 2026, in Abuja, and subsequently submitted to the Engineering Tribunal for further proceedings.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Okorie Uche, COREN said the first case involved the collapse of a reinforced concrete cantilever entrance canopy at the Gombe State House of Assembly Complex on July 10, 2026.

Following investigations into the design, supervision and construction of the project, the investigative panel established a prima facie case against Engr. Rahman Adegboyega Shittu (R.38234) of Ramad Consultant Ltd.

The second case involved a three-storey building under construction at Plot No. 481, Cadastral Zone B13, Gaduwa District, Abuja, which collapsed on May 16, 2026.

The investigation followed a petition and referral from the Department of Development Control of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

COREN said its panel established a prima facie case against Engr. Mustapha Maikaba (R.68.844), the consultant engineer on the project.

It, however, clarified that establishing a prima facie case does not amount to a final determination of guilt or liability.

COREN added that the affected engineers would have the opportunity to respond in accordance with applicable laws and procedures.

It also approved the final draft of the Harmonised National Construction Safety Guidelines for the Nigerian Construction Industry for gazetting and distribution to relevant stakeholders for implementation and enforcement.

Also, COREN has endorsed collaboration with federal and state ministries of works and other relevant agencies to ensure that engineering contracts are awarded only to COREN-registered firms.

The collaboration is also expected to improve cooperation in project inspections and investigations.

The Council further endorsed collaboration with the Sector Skills Council for Engineering (SSC4E) and relevant agencies to vet and regulate artisans entering Nigeria to undertake engineering-related work.

It also constituted a committee to develop a sustainable funding framework for Engineering Regulations Monitoring and Enforcement (ERM&E) and State Technical Committee (STC) activities.

On professional registration, COREN approved 3,726 engineering practitioners across various categories.

The approvals comprised 2,510 engineers, 532 engineering technologists, nine engineering technicians and 675 engineering craftsmen.

The Council also approved the registration of 153 engineering firms, comprising 37 consulting firms and 116 other engineering firms operating across various areas of engineering practice.

COREN reiterated its commitment to impartial investigations, professional accountability and effective enforcement of engineering standards.

It urged engineers, developers, contractors and relevant government agencies to ensure that engineering projects are properly designed, supervised and executed in line with approved safety standards.