NSE Launches Mobile App to Tackle Engineering Quackery and Boost Digital Coordination in Nigeria
The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has officially launched the “NSE Members App,” a new mobile platform designed to combat the growing issue of engineering quackery in Nigeria and streamline operations among registered professionals. The app, available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, marks a significant step toward improving professional verification and enhancing digital transformation in Nigeria’s engineering sector.
App Launched in Abuja with Government Backing
The app was unveiled in Abuja by Malam Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), represented by Mr. Salisu Kaka, Director of E-Government and Digital Economy at the agency.
“This innovation aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s digital public infrastructure agenda, aimed at unifying digital service delivery across institutions,” said Inuwa. “What NSE has created is a digital public good that can be adapted across sectors.”
Key Features of the NSE Members App
The app provides a wide range of functions to support professional engineers and the general public:
- Engineer verification system to confirm registered NSE members
- Project registration and tracking
- Access to social impact and community development initiatives
- Direct communication with the national body and local branches
- Training and professional development access
- Digital membership management for easier coordination
Combating Quackery in Engineering Practice
NSE President, Mrs. Margaret Oguntala, emphasised that the mobile application serves as a real-time verification tool to distinguish legitimate engineers from quack practitioners.
“If someone approaches me for a job, I can log into the app to confirm if they are a registered NSE member,” said Oguntala. “Eventually, we plan to allow non-members to verify engineer credentials before hiring.”
The app aims to protect clients, improve public safety, and strengthen accountability in Nigeria’s construction and engineering ecosystem.
Engineering Quackery Linked to Building Collapses in Nigeria
According to a report, over 221 buildings collapsed in Nigeria between 1974 and 2019, with Lagos accounting for 167 cases between 2000 and 2021 alone. These incidents displaced over 6,000 households and caused $3.2 trillion in property losses, according to the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG).
Experts attribute many of these disasters to unqualified builders, substandard materials, and poor regulatory oversight.
Lagos State Targets Fake Materials Testing Agents
The Lagos State Government is stepping up efforts to combat engineering fraud by rebranding the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory (LSMTL). According to Engineer Olayinka Abdul, General Manager of LSMTL, the agency is adopting an Electronic Geographic Information System (EGIS) to monitor building material tests and flag irregularities.
“All consultants affiliated with the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory will be listed online for credibility,” said Abdul. “This move aims to restore trust and professionalism in the industry.”
A Digital Milestone for National Development
The NSE Members App represents a crucial advancement in promoting engineering integrity, professionalism, and national development. It supports Nigeria’s broader digital agenda while helping to curb corruption, reduce project failures, and improve public safety in the construction sector.
With the launch of the NSE Members App, the Nigerian Society of Engineers is taking a bold digital step to eradicate quackery, enhance professional verification, and align with national goals for technological advancement and infrastructure integrity.
