The Federal Government has disclosed that over 420 federal roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects have either been completed or significantly advanced under the administration of President Bola Tinubu within the two years already spent in office.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Barinada Mpigi, made this known in a goodwill message delivered by his representative, Ashley Emenike, at the opening ceremony of the 33rd Engineering Assembly organised by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja.

Themed “Advancing Quality Engineering Services and Businesses in Nigeria: Professionalism, Compliance and Remunerations”, the annual event drew professionals from across the country to deliberate on engineering ethics, infrastructure standards, and national development.

Mpigi hailed engineers as indispensable drivers of Nigeria’s development, noting that their work forms the backbone of the country’s economic growth, infrastructure expansion, and industrial advancement. It was also declared that Nigerian engineers are not merely technical experts, but strategic nation builders who deserve a central role in policy making.

Speaking in his address, the senator said, “As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, I must reaffirm that engineering remains a cornerstone of national development,” he said. “Based on implementation reports and oversight missions by my committee, we estimate that over 420 federal roads, bridges, and projects have either been completed or advanced significantly within this administration.”

He specifically praised President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda”, describing it as a catalyst for ongoing reforms and infrastructural ambition across the country. “From the visionary Lagos-Calabar coastal highway to investments in road, housing, energy, and bridges nationwide, Mr President has demonstrated unwavering commitment to making Nigeria work,” he said.

However, the senator raised concern over the rise in engineering-related failures, including collapsed buildings and deteriorating road infrastructure, attributing many of the incidents to poor compliance with professional standards.

“We must also squarely confront the growing concern over engineering failures. This persistent failure of infrastructure is a national alarm bell,” Mpigi warned. “It reflects lapses in compliance, poor supervision and, in some cases, outright quackery, a demonstration of a breakdown in the regulatory environment. It is unacceptable that in the 21st century, buildings are still collapsing under rain and bridges are caving in under minimal pressure.”

He stressed that such failures not only cost lives and public funds but also tarnish the image of the engineering profession. To address the situation, the lawmaker pledged the committee’s full support to COREN in strengthening enforcement and compliance measures across the country.

“I commit today that the Senate Committee on Works stands ready to partner with COREN and other allied professional bodies to confront these problems head-on,” he said. “We will assist in strengthening legislative frameworks that will enforce mandatory compliance in engineering standards, advocate full implementation of Nigerian building codes across all states, and support public enlightenment.”

Mpigi also commended COREN for linking participation in the engineering assembly to licence renewal, describing the initiative as a necessary step in ensuring professional accountability and public safety.

“This not only ensures that our practitioners are up-to-date, but it also preserves the integrity of the profession and protects the Nigerian public from the dangers of incompetence,” he added.

He concluded by calling for stronger collaboration among regulators, legislators, private sector players, and professional bodies to ensure durable infrastructure and uphold engineering excellence.

Participants at the summit further called on the government at all levels to integrate engineers into national development planning, warning that the future of Nigeria depends on the synergy between engineering expertise and enlightened public policy.

In his address, the former Minister of Power and Chairman of Geometric Power Group, Barth Nnaji, urged the government to establish dedicated innovation funds and technology parks to foster the development of homegrown engineering solutions to Nigeria’s unique challenges.

Nnaji said the country’s long-term progress depends on integrating indigenous talent, sound policy, and a commitment to innovation. “The government should establish dedicated funds and build technology parks where engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs can collaborate. These hubs will drive homegrown solutions tailored to our unique environment,” he said.

According to him, Nigeria’s engineering professionals are already well-positioned to design solutions in areas like off-grid solar energy, smart irrigation, climate-resilient housing, and other context-sensitive infrastructure.

“We like to say lawyers are the learned, but we are the builders, the creators of society. Engineers lay the foundation of every economy. From roads, bridges and dams to energy systems, digital networks, and healthcare access, our work enables nations to grow and prosper,” he said.

Citing the example of China, noting that the country’s extraordinary development over the past few decades was no accident, but the result of engineers holding key leadership positions.

“The last three leaders of China were engineers. The overwhelming majority of people in public office in China have engineering backgrounds. That’s not fortuitous, it is deliberate, and the results speak for themselves,” he said.

Nnaji urged Nigerian engineers to become more than just technical operatives, but strategic thinkers, policy advocates and innovators who understand global trends and can localize solutions for the country’s unique challenges.

In his opening remarks, COREN Registrar, Okorie Uche, called for a renewed commitment to professionalism and quality service delivery, describing the assembly as a platform to challenge assumptions, confront under-regulation, and push for systemic change.

COREN, he said, remains committed to addressing quackery, non-compliance, and poor service delivery, while advocating for policy reforms and better compensation frameworks for engineers across the country.

The President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Margaret Oguntala, echoed the call for reforms, noting that quality education and fair remuneration are crucial to restoring professionalism.

She assured COREN of NSE’s continued collaboration in championing engineering integrity and excellence.