By Grace Onah

The Management of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) has reiterated the agency’s commitment to a strategic partnership with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) aimed at strengthening and advancing the Nigerian power sector for the benefit of all citizens.

Making this declaration in Abuja was the Managing Director NEMSA, Engr. Aliyu Tukur Tahir, FNSE, at the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NEMSA and COREN, held at COREN Headquarters in Abuja on Monday
He described the MoU as a significant step toward fostering a robust and mutually beneficial relationship between both institutions, emphasizing that the collaboration will enhance the effective delivery of their respective mandates, particularly in ensuring the safety of lives and property within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

“This partnership will enable us to consolidate efforts in promoting professionalism, accountability, and competence in the power sector,” Engr. Aliyu stated. “By reinforcing COREN registration requirements for all individuals and firms applying for NEMSA certification, we are creating a framework that prioritizes regulatory compliance and quality service delivery.”

Engr Aliyu who doubles as the Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation ( CEIF) further noted that the agreement will facilitate efficient information sharing between both agencies, particularly on disciplinary actions and sanctions involving NEMSA-certified personnel and firms also registered with COREN. This, he said, would help improve transparency, enforcement, and adherence to industry standards.

Engr. Aliyu said the collaboration will promote skilled manpower development, address sector-specific engineering challenges, and uphold quality standards in certification and practices.

He also disclosed that COREN will be actively represented in NEMSA’s Competency Certification Panels, reinforcing fairness and shared responsibility in the certification process.

In his welcome address, the Registrar of COREN, Engr. Okorie Austine Uche, FNSE, FNICE, assured stakeholders that the MoU would ensure that engineering regulations within the power sector are aligned with COREN’s statutory framework. He noted that the partnership represents a step forward in harmonizing regulatory efforts to achieve a more structured and effective engineering ecosystem in Nigeria.
Also, speaking at the event, the President of COREN, Engr. Prof. Sadiq Zubair Abubakar, FNSE, FAEng, FNIAE, described the MoU as a milestone in COREN’s strategic realignment. “COREN recognizes the enormity of its mandate and views collaboration as a critical strategy in addressing regulatory and operational gaps,” he said.
Engr. Abubakar further revealed that COREN is already set to commence the implementation of this partnership and has invited NEMSA to participate in several of its key committees. These include the Codes and Standards Committee, Engineering Regulation Monitoring (ERM) Committee, the Engineering Investigative Panel, and the Disciplinary Tribunal—which would address cases involving practitioners in the power sector. He emphasized that NEMSA is expected to take a lead role in this tribunal.
The NEMSA-COREN partnership is poised to enhance service delivery and ensure the realization of NEMSA’s mandate of providing stable, safe, reliable, and efficient electricity networks and power systems across Nigeria.