The management of the University of Abuja has taken a firm stance against recent remarks made by the Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Engr Adisa Ademola Bello, concerning the status of certain engineering programs at the institution.
The management views these statements as misleading and a potential threat to the credibility of their engineering programs.
In a press release issued by the institution, the university clarified its position, emphasizing that its Chemical Engineering and Civil Engineering programmes had received full accreditation in 2015, following thorough reviews by both the National Universities Commission (NUC) and COREN.
Additionally, the Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering programmes had obtained interim accreditation during the same evaluation process.
Since then, the university has successfully graduated numerous cohorts of students who have made notable contributions to various fields, further enhancing the institution’s reputation.
The management expressed concern about what they perceived as a campaign to undermine their engineering programmes, particularly given Engr Adisa Ademola Bello’s previous role as an external examiner for one of the university’s engineering programs.
While acknowledging that COREN had requested visits for “Outcome Based Education (OBE) accreditation” of several engineering programs, the university pointed out the challenges it faced due to prolonged strikes and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their operations.
Furthermore, the university affirmed its commitment to transparency and cooperation with regulatory bodies, as evidenced by its recent approval of three engineering programmes—B Eng Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, B Eng Architecture, and B Eng Agricultural Engineering—by the National Universities Commission (NUC), a significant achievement that underscores their dedication to maintaining high educational standards.
The University of Abuja also urged COREN to develop more collaborative ways of working with universities rather than adopting an authoritarian approach to address concerns.
In conclusion, the university expressed gratitude for the unwavering support from students, staff, alumni, parents, and the wider community amid the recent comments by COREN.
They called on everyone to remain calm and trust in the integrity, professionalism, and high standards that the University of Abuja has upheld for years, pledging to continue delivering high-quality education and comprehensive support services.
