Institute Urges Crackdown On Quacks

President of the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (NIEEE), Felix Ota, has called for a nationwide crackdown on quack electrical engineers, warning that unqualified practitioners threaten public safety and economic growth.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting and oath-taking ceremony of the Chartered Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering of Nigeria (CIEEEN) Council in Abuja, Ota said the launch marked the end of a 20-year push to professionalise the sector through legislation.

“For too long, Nigeria has suffered the consequences of substandard service delivery by unqualified hands. Everyone knew professionalism was the solution, but the journey to achieving it through legislation took nearly two decades,” he said.

The CIEEEN council, now fully constituted, includes 23 members from 13 key organisations such as COREN, NIEEE, SON, NCC, NITDA, NUC and NERC.

Ota tasked the new council with enforcing standards, registering qualified professionals and confronting the rising tide of engineering failures.

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“This is not a political appointment but a professional one. You must be courageous and resolute. Opposition will come, but we must stand firm,” he told the members.

He also announced a competition to design the institute’s official logo, unveiled the motto “Regulating for Optimum Professionalism,” and stressed the need for public awareness to drive compliance.

Deputy General Manager at NEMSA, Engr. Usman Omozua Momoh, echoed the call, urging engineers to reclaim the profession from untrained hands.

“If we fail to restore professionalism, we will wake up one day to find that even the person selling bread is wiring houses. We must take charge of NEMSA, hold it accountable, and ensure it delivers on its mandate,” he warned.

Momoh also called for stricter import regulations to combat the spread of substandard electrical materials, advocating for engineers’ involvement in every aspect of electrical equipment sales and installation.

Former NIEEE president, Engr. John Funjo Adebayo, described the launch of CIEEEN as a historic achievement, noting: “This initiative goes beyond electric cars—it encompasses the entire technology and regulatory ecosystem. We must collaborate across agencies to uphold industry-wide standards.”