The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) have inducted 482 graduates of the Faculty of Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), into the engineering profession.

 

The induction and oath-taking ceremony, held on Friday, February 27, 2026, marked the maiden edition for the 2024/2025 graduands of the faculty. The event took place at the Zephaniah Madubuko Auditorium, Faculty of Social Sciences, under the theme, “Engineering Professionalism and Ethics.”

 

In his opening remarks, Chairman of the occasion, Prince Engr. Ejike Mgbemena, described engineering as a noble profession and urged the graduands to leverage the opportunity of their induction to positively impact society. He encouraged them to take pride in their achievements and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.

 

Declaring the event open, the Vice-Chancellor of UNIZIK, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie — represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Alex Asigbo — congratulated the Faculty of Engineering for what he described as an epoch-making event. He emphasized that the nation’s future would be shaped by engineers and charged the inductees to embrace innovation and serve as worthy ambassadors of their alma mater.

 

The President of COREN, Engr. Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, disclosed that about 114 universities in Nigeria currently offer engineering education, with over 500 accredited programmes. He noted that with diligent management of resources, the country could produce at least 10,000 engineering graduates across various fields annually.

 

Prof. Abubakar reassured the university community of COREN’s commitment to maintaining global best practices, including adherence to the Washington Accord benchmark within Nigeria’s university system.

 

In his address, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Engr. Prof. Ugochukwu Okonkwo, described the ceremony as a celebration of years of perseverance, innovation, and hard work by the graduands. He noted that engineering goes beyond technical knowledge, stressing its role in improving lives, building sustainable systems, advancing technology, and shaping the future.

 

Delivering a lecture titled “Engineering Professionalism and Ethics: Guiding Principles for the 2024/25 Graduands of UNIZIK,” Guest Speaker Engr. Emeka Okafor, founder of Orbital Creation Technology Ltd, highlighted the importance of ethical standards, professionalism, and courage in engineering practice. He urged the new engineers to uphold integrity and make meaningful societal impact through their training.

 

The highlight of the colourful ceremony was the administration of the oath on the graduands by the COREN Registrar, Engr. Prof. Okorie Uche.

 

Awards and cash prizes were also presented to outstanding students. Christabel Fumnanya Ndidi of the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering emerged as the Best Graduating Student of the Faculty, receiving a cash award of ₦100,000.

 

Departmental best graduating students honoured included Emmanuel Nonso Nwaju (Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering), Cynthia Chinwendu Muorah (Chemical Engineering), Paul Obinna Obagha (Civil Engineering), Christabel Fumnanya Ndidi (Electronic and Computer Engineering), Kosisochukwu Henry Ozodi (Electrical Engineering), Ifeanyichukwu Victor Ozurumba (Industrial Production Engineering), Princeton Onyedika Emenike (Mechanical Engineering), Cyril Chikwado Ikeweta (Metallurgical and Materials Engineering), and Chimaobi Gods’will Egbuebe (Polymer Engineering).

 

The ceremony concluded with notes of appreciation from Engr. Dr. Ifeyinwa Ogbodo, Chairman of the Organising Committee, and Comrade Ugonna Victor Anusionwu, the 32nd NUESA-NAU President, who both commended the faculty and regulatory bodies for organizing a successful and historic induction.