In a major reform poised to reshape engineering education and professional practice in Nigeria, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has officially reintroduced a mandatory one-year internship programme for all engineering graduates before they proceed to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The initiative, known as the Engineering Residency Programme (ERP), is designed to bridge the persistent gap between academic knowledge and real-world engineering practice in the country.
This announcement was made at COREN’s 33rd Engineering Assembly held in Abuja in July 2025 and has since triggered massive conversations across tertiary institutions and the Nigerian engineering community.
What Is the Engineering Residency Programme?
The Engineering Residency Programme (ERP) is an industrial-based training model that requires every engineering graduate in Nigeria to undergo a compulsory one-year professional placement under the supervision of COREN-certified engineers before they can qualify for:
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NYSC mobilisation,
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Professional licensing by COREN, and
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Recognised practice in any public or private sector engineering-related job.
The ERP is a modern adaptation of COREN’s earlier Supervised Industrial Training Scheme in Engineering (SITSIE), now upgraded to meet international standards and modeled after internship systems seen in the U.S., UK, and signatories to the Washington Accord.
Why This Policy Now?
According to COREN President Engr. Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, the ERP aims to solve the chronic issue of “unemployable engineering graduates” being produced from some Nigerian tertiary institutions. Many young engineers, despite graduating with strong academic records, lack exposure to field tools, safety protocols, and collaborative engineering processes.
“You cannot build bridges, power systems, or production lines with theory alone,” Prof. Abubakar stated. “This policy is not just about employment. It is about producing capable, world-class engineers with practical skills, ready to contribute to Nigeria’s infrastructural, energy, and industrial transformation.”
What About Stipends?
The Federal Government, through COREN, has proposed a minimum monthly stipend of ₦75,000 for engineering interns. Discussions are ongoing with the National Assembly, the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), and other stakeholders to provide consistent funding and legal backing to institutionalize the ERP across all universities and polytechnics.
While funding challenges are expected during the rollout phase, the ₦75,000 stipend is meant to encourage participation and ensure that engineering graduates are not financially burdened during their training year.
♂️ How Will It Work?
Here’s a breakdown of how the ERP will function:
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Placement: Engineering students will be assigned or allowed to secure placements at verified engineering firms, government agencies, construction companies, energy firms, or manufacturing plants.
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Supervision: The interns will work under the direct supervision of licensed engineers registered with COREN.
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Duration: The residency will last 12 months and must be completed before the NYSC call-up letter is issued.
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Certification: At the end of the programme, participants will receive a COREN Residency Completion Certificate, which becomes a prerequisite for:
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NYSC mobilisation,
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COREN registration,
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and any government or regulated engineering job in Nigeria.
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Digital Monitoring: A central online portal is being developed to track the performance, reports, and supervision of interns across the country.
️ What Are Universities and Polytechnics Saying?
Universities and polytechnics have been directed to adjust their curriculum timelines and collaborate with COREN for implementation. Some institutions, like Ahmadu Bello University, FUTMINNA, and UNILAG, have already set up ERP liaison offices to assist graduating students with placement and documentation.
Lecturers and faculty deans generally support the move, noting that it adds seriousness and credibility to the engineering profession, much like the law and medicine professions with their own pre-practice training systems.
How This Benefits Nigerian Engineering Graduates
This policy presents major long-term benefits:
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Improved employability and readiness for global engineering jobs.
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Hands-on experience with live projects, machinery, and industrial systems.
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Enhanced qualification to compete for international graduate internships and master’s programs.
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Faster eligibility for international engineering bodies and graduate visas abroad.
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Greater entrepreneurial confidence for engineers who wish to start their own practices after NYSC.
️ When Will It Begin?
While the ERP has been launched, full-scale implementation is expected to begin with the 2024/2025 graduating class across Nigerian tertiary institutions.
A dedicated task force comprising members from COREN, ITF, NUC, NBTE, and TETFund has been inaugurated to work out the finer details and ensure a smooth rollout across the country.