ICPC, COREN Join Forces to Curb Corruption and Building Collapses

The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) have entered into a strategic partnership to fight corruption, poor project execution, and the recurring problem of building collapses across the country.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Thursday at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja by COREN President, Engr. Prof. Sadiq Zubair Abubakar, and ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN. The agreement signals a united front to enforce strict professional standards and hold violators accountable.

Dr. Aliyu stressed that the collaboration would ensure Nigerians get full value for public funds.

“No more certificates for ghost projects or shoddy work,” he declared. “Where engineers compromise standards, we will refer them to COREN for sanctions and prosecute them in court. Nigerians deserve quality infrastructure and accountability.”

He explained that COREN’s technical expertise will strengthen the ICPC’s Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Initiative (CEPTI), ensuring government-funded projects adhere to approved designs and safety regulations.

Dr. Aliyu condemned the rising incidents of building collapses, calling for urgent preventive measures.

“We must stop this cycle before more lives are lost,” he said. “Together, we will investigate root causes, block loopholes, and ensure only qualified professionals handle public projects. COREN must alert us to any red flags in the field.”

Acknowledging ICPC’s limited reach, Aliyu urged COREN to act as the commission’s “eyes on the ground” to detect and report malpractice early.

Prof. Abubakar reaffirmed COREN’s readiness to work with ICPC to uphold safety, discipline, and trust in the engineering sector.

“This MoU is not just a document; it is a renewed commitment to uphold professional excellence, public safety, and national development,” he said.

Key Goals of the ICPC–COREN Partnership:

• Enforce compliance with approved designs and safety standards.

• Penalize negligent or corrupt engineering professionals.

• Strengthen public trust in Nigeria’s engineering projects.

• Track and verify constituency and executive projects.

• Prevent building collapses through proactive oversight.

Through this partnership, both agencies are making it clear: Nigerian engineering projects can no longer afford shortcuts that endanger lives and waste public funds.