Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), in partnership with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and the Nigerian Institute of ICT Engineers (NIICTE), have commenced the training of 10, 000 engineering professionals on Data Protection in Abuja.
NSE president, Margaret Oguntala, in her opening remarks said the training was part of the Society’s drive to bridge knowledge and skills gaps among members, particularly in emerging areas like data governance, privacy, and regulatory compliance.
Oguntala represented by the Executive Committee member, Dayyabu Tijjani, noted that data protection had become a professional necessity, not a choice.
“As engineers, we are not just builders of systems and infrastructure, we are custodians of public trust. That trust increasingly depends on our ability to protect the privacy, security, and integrity of data,” Oguntala said.
She explained that the initiative was in line with NSE’s ISO 9001:2015 certification and commitment to international best practices, adding that the Society planned to train at least 10,000 members across different categories through structured professional development programmes.
“The enactment and enforcement of the Nigeria Data Protection Act means our members must align with both national legal requirements and global standards in data security,” he said.
Also speaking, the National Commissioner of the NDPC, Vincent Olatunji, urged engineers to integrate data protection into their work, describing it as a core aspect of professional responsibility in today’s digital economy.
“With great power comes great responsibility. Engineering solutions must not only be innovative but also secure and compliant with data protection laws,” he stated.
Olatunji, represented by Tolulope Pius-Fadipe recalled his long association with the engineering community, and commended the NSE for taking leadership in positioning its members for compliance in a fast-changing regulatory environment.
Meanwhile, Oguntala also reminded members of the upcoming 2025 International Engineering Conference and Annual General Meeting, scheduled for December 1–5 at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan. The theme of the conference is “Engineering Innovation for a Sustainable Blue Economy.”
She said the event, expected to attract more than 6,000 participants from across Nigeria and abroad, would focus on how engineering innovation could drive sustainable use of ocean and aquatic resources for economic growth and environmental preservation.
