The Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has said that the Centre for Automotive Training, Transport and Logistics (CATTL) of the Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, as the first of such centres in the country to be licensed.
This was disclosed by the Registrar of COREN, Prof. O. A. U. Uche during the graduation ceremony of the second batch of trainees of the Centre for Automotive Training, Transport and Logistics, held on Friday, 25th September, 2026.
at the Conference Auditorium, Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, Mkpatenin Local Government Area, Prof. Uche who commended AKSU for sustaining the tempo of learning at the Centre also lauded the efforts of the Director of the Centre, Dr. Godwin Ekong in deligehtit grooming students for contributions to nation building.
The event had the theme: “The Role of Automotive Technology Transport and Logistics in the Economic Growth of Nigeria”, with the Executive Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS), Sir Okon Okon, as Keynote Speaker.
Congratulating the graduands, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Otoabasi Akpan, noted that the development of Nigeria depends essentially on applied technology and technical skills, competence, discipline and creativity of the people. The VC noted that a university fulfills the critical part of its purpose when the knowledge it generates and shares offers practical solutions to problems.
“The Centre for Automotive Training, Transport and Logistics of this great institution provides an important platform for advancing this responsibility. It focus brings attention to fields that the lives of citizens and the performance of businesses every day”.
Prof. Akpan who thanked the Akwa Ibom State Governor for the special attention he has shown AKSU however sought for partnership and colloboration from critical stakeholders, adding that the graduation of the second batch of trainees marks another milestone in the Centre’s commitment to add to nation building.
In his remarks, the CEO, Meteorological Centre, Jos, Prof. Linus Asukwo, in whose tenure as Commissioner for Science and Technology AKSU was founded, acknowledged the consistent growth of the school and impact made by Centre for Automotive Technology as well as the excellence in scholarship recorded over the years.
Exploring the theme of the event in his keynote address, the Executive of AKIRS, Sir Okon Okon, traced the inseparable relationship between technology, innovation and economic growth to Joseph Scumpeter’s theory of “Creative Destruction”. He challenged the graduands to translate theory into practical if their goal was to have contemporary relevance and impact in the discourse of growth in Nigeria.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director, Centre for Automotive Training, Transport and Logistics, Dr Godwin Ekong, who incidentally was a student under Prof. Asukwo, said the Centre which was established in the 2022/2023 academic session, had its maiden graduation on June 20, 2025.
He noted that a total number of 54 trainees were admitted for the second batch, with 30 Automotive Trainees; 8 Transport and Logistics Trainees (level 1); 10 Automotive Technology Trainees (levels 2); and 6 Transport and Logistics Trainees; while the Level 2 training programming is ongoing.
Further breakdown of performance of the graduands in the second batch indicated that 15 had Distinction and 15 had Merit in Automotive Technology; while Transport and Logistics recorded 1 Distinction and 7 Merit. Akpan, Nathaniel Moses emerged overall best trainee and best in Automotive; while Orungette, Sunday Okon was the best in Transport and Logistics.
Giving further highlights, Dr. Ekong said the Centre runs a 6-month programme leading to the award of Certificates that meet the requirements of the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).
“We’re setting standards. The Centre aims at serving as a reservoir for Compressed Natural Gas conversion systems in vehicles in the South/South, Nigeria, as arrangements were at advanced stage to partner with the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative”, Ekong added, seeking for more support for the Centre.
The Director further corroborated that the Centre got full accreditation by COREN in 2025 as the first licensed Engineering Skills Training Centre in the country, with license nos. STC 0001; and the Nigeria University Commission (NUC) has also approved a full Department of Automotive Engineering at AKSU. In addition, Dr. Godwin Ekong has also been appointed by COREN as a Council Member representing all Engineering Skills Training Centres in the Nigeria, as well as the pioneer Chapter Chairman of the Automotive and Locomotive Engineering Institute (AutoEI), following its establishment in Akwa Ibom State.
In his goodwill message, the Special Guest of Honour and President of Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria (AKISAN), USA, Dr. Mbong Ekiko, said to be one of the principal sponsors of students at the Centre; reiterated the continued commitment of the organization to the Centre, urging the graduands to fully utilize what they’ve learnt and contribute to the economic growth of the country.
Highpoint of the event was the presentation of certificates to the graduands as well as presentation of award of excellence to distinguished partners and personalities who have contributed to the growth of the Centre.
Present also were principal officers of the University, including co-host and Registrar, Dr. Ebi Eno-Ibanga; Deans, Directors and Heads of Departments; MD, Ibom Mortgage Bank, Pst. Ime Okon; captains of industries, parents and guardians.
