The Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAE), yesterday, emphasised that the proposed mandatory Engineering Residency Programme by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) will enhance skill competence and make engineers more attractive to industry and employable.
 
The Engineering Residency Programme (ERP) in Nigeria is a mandatory, structured one-year post-graduation training initiative to be established by COREN, designed for fresh engineering graduates to build practical, industry-aligned skills and complete professional requirements before proceeding to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
 
President of the Academy, Prof. Rahamon Bello, said this while speaking to journalists ahead of its apex event, which includes investiture of past Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, as the 14th President of the NAE, its 2026 NAE yearly lecture, presentation of Lifetime Achievement Awards to 10 fellows and induction of 12 new honorary fellows, which will be held in Lagos.

He said the residency programme, supported by the NAE, National Universities Commission (NUC) and other stakeholders, is the right way to deepen the competence of budding engineers in the country.
 
Bello explained that the new curriculum the NUC just came up with has allowed universities to include elements for engaging external stakeholders to add value to the theoretical aspects of what engineering students are learning.
 
“I think the new curriculum will formalise internships for engineers. It hasn’t come up yet, but I believe that’s the way we have to go. So, as doctors go on internship, medical doctors, pharmacists go on internship, engineers will not be left out,” he said.
 
Bello, who is also the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, said the Academy has officially submitted critical advocacy papers to the Federal Government, offering actionable engineering solutions to deep-seated national crises. According to him, the NAE has also been active in fulfilling its mandate as a think-tank for the engineering sector by organising strategic policy dialogues on engineering solutions for energy, efficient and profitable operation of the nation’s refineries, transportation, wastewater management, environmental stability and climate change, among others.