Faculty of Engineering

University of Lagos.

Course Code: GET 101

Course Title: ENGINEER IN SOCIETY
(Engineering Profession Code of Ethics)
Course Unit: (1,0)
Academic Session: 2024/2025
Lecturer
Engr. (Dr.) Kehinde. O. Orolu MNSE, Registered
Systems Engineer 1
 The Engineering Profession
WHAT IS A PROFESSION?
This is a vocation founded upon specialized
educational training, the purpose of which is to
supply objective counsel and service to others, for
a direct and definite compensation.

(Source - Wikipedia)
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 The Engineering Profession

CHARACTERISTICS OF A PROFESSION:
• EXPERTISE

• CODE OF ETHICS

• MONOPOLY

• AUTONOMY

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 Characteristics of a Profession
EXPERTISE
• Command over a body of systematized and standardized
knowledge, developed and updated on behalf of society,
transmitted through recognized channels of training and
examining of new recruits.

CODE OF ETHICS
• Which governs the performance of the professional and
defines his relationship with his clients in particular and
society in general.

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 Characteristics of a Profession (cont.)
MONOPOLY
• Granted by society through laws that reserve defined
functions solely to members licensed by the profession’s own
institutions as possessing the requisite training and
qualifications of expertise referred to above .
AUTONOMY
• A measure of independence granted by society through law to
enable the profession to regulate itself, discipline its members,
and control the practice of the profession without undue
interference from the employer or clients or government.

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 Acquisition of Engineering Expertise

• Scientific know-how through Formal Education

(Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, Online Courses)
• Hands-on experience through Professional practice
tutelage (- Internship, Entry-Level Jobs, Professional
Certifications)
• Independent Learning- Online resources, Books and
Articles, Open-source projects)

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 Engineering Code of Ethics

Supported by Professional Tripod:

• Fundamental Canons

•Rules of Practice

•Professional Responsibilities / Obligations

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 Fundamental Canons of Engineering Practice.

1. Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public.

2. Perform services only in the areas of their competence.
3. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
4. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.
5. Avoid deceptive acts.
6. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to
enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.
7. Continue their professional development throughout their careers, and
provide opportunities for the professional development of those under
their supervision.
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 Engineering Rules of Practice.
1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and
welfare of the public.

✓If engineer’s judgment is overruled under circumstances that

endanger life or property, they shall notify their employer or
client and such other authority as may be appropriate
✓Engineers shall approve only those engineering documents that
are in conformity with applicable standards
✓Engineers shall not reveal facts, data or information without
prior consent of the client or employer except as authorised or
required by law or this Code
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 Engineering Rules of Practice.
1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health
and welfare of the public. (cont’d)

✓Engineers shall not permit the use of their name or associate

in business venture with any person or firm that they believe
are engaged in fraudulent or dishonest enterprise.

✓Engineers having knowledge of any alleged violation of this

Code shall report thereon to appropriate professional bodies
and, when relevant, also to public authorities, and cooperate
with the proper authorities in furnishing such information or
assistance as may be required. 10
 Engineering Rules of Practice.
2. Engineers shall perform services only in the areas of
their competence.
✓Engineers shall undertake assignments only when qualified
by education or experience in the specific technical fields
involved.
✓Engineers shall not affix their signatures to any plans or
documents dealing with subject matter in which they lack
competence, nor to any plan or document not prepared
under their direction and control.

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 Engineering Rules of Practice.
2. Engineers shall perform services only in the areas of
their competence. (cont’d)

✓Engineers may accept assignments and assume responsibility

for coordination of an entire project and sign and seal the
engineering document for the entire project, provided that
each technical segment is signed and sealed only by the
qualified engineers who prepared the segment.

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 Engineering Rules of Practice.
3. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an
objective and truthful manner.
✓Engineers shall be objective and truthful in professional
reports, statements, or testimony. They shall include all
relevant and pertinent information in such reports, statements
or testimony, which would bear the date indicating when it
was current.

✓Engineers may express publicly technical opinions that are

founded upon knowledge of facts and competence in the
subject matter.
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 Engineering Rules of Practice.
3. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an
objective and truthful manner. (cont’d)
✓Engineers shall issue no statements, criticisms, or arguments on
technical matters that are inspired or paid for by interested
parties, unless they have prefaced their comments by explicitly
identifying the interested parties on whose behalf they are
speaking, and by revealing the existence of any interest the
engineers may have in the matters.

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 Engineering Rules of Practice.
4. Engineers shall act for each employer or client as faithful agents
or trustees.
✓Engineers shall disclose all known or potential conflicts of interest
that could influence or appear to influence their judgment or the
quality of their services.
✓Engineers shall not accept compensation, financial or otherwise, from
more than one party for services on the same project, or for services
pertaining to the same project, unless the circumstances are fully
disclosed and agreed to by all interested parties.
✓Engineers shall not solicit or accept financial or other valuable
consideration, directly or indirectly, from outside agents in connection
with the work for which they are responsible.

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 Engineering Rules of Practice.
4. Engineers shall act for each employer or client as faithful agents
or trustees. (cont’d)
✓Engineers in public service as members, advisors, or employees of a
governmental or quasi-governmental body or department shall not
participate in decisions with respect to services solicited or provided by
them or their organisations in private or public engineering practice.

✓Engineers shall not solicit or accept a contract from a governmental body

on which a principal or officer of their organisation serves as a member.

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 Engineering Rules of Practice.
5. Engineers shall avoid deceptive acts.

✓Engineers shall not falsify their qualifications or permit

misrepresentation of their or their associates’ qualifications. They
shall not misrepresent or exaggerate their responsibility in or for
the subject matter of prior assignments. Brochures or other
presentations incident to the solicitation of employment shall not
misrepresent pertinent facts concerning employers, employees,
associates, joint ventures, or past accomplishments.

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 Engineering Rules of Practice.
5. Engineers shall avoid deceptive acts. (cont’d)

✓Engineers shall not offer, give, solicit or receive, either directly or indirectly,
any contribution to influence the award of a contract by public authority, or
which may be reasonably construed by the public as having the effect of
intent to influencing the awarding of a contract. They shall not offer any gift
or other valuable consideration in order to secure work. They shall not pay a
commission, percentage, or brokerage fee in order to secure work, except to
a bonafide employee or bonafide established commercial or marketing
agencies retained by them.

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 ENGINEER’S PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES / OBLIGATIONS.

1. Engineers shall be guided in all their relations by the highest standards

of honesty and integrity.
• Engineers shall acknowledge their errors and shall not distort or alter the facts.
• Engineers shall advice their clients or employers when they believe project will not
be successful.
• Engineers shall not actively participate in strikes, picket lines, or other collective
coercive action.

2. Engineers shall at all times strive to serve the public interest.

3. Engineers shall avoid all conduct or practice that deceives the public.
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 Engineer’s Professional Responsibilities / Obligations.

4. Engineers shall not disclose, without consent, confidential information

concerning the business affairs or technical processes of any present
or former client or employer, or public body on which they serve.

5. Engineers shall not be influenced in their professional duties by

conflicting interests.

6. Engineers shall not attempt to obtain employment or advancement or

professional engagements by untruthfully criticizing other engineers,
or by other improper or questionable methods.
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 Engineer’s Professional Responsibilities / Obligations.

7. Engineers shall not attempt to injure, maliciously or

falsely, directly or indirectly, the professional reputation,
prospects, practice, or employment of engineers.
– Engineers who believe others are guilty of unethical or illegal
practice shall present such information to the proper authority
for action.

8. Engineers shall give credit for engineering work to those

to whom credit is due, and will recognize the proprietary
interests of others.
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 Group Assignment I
Engineering Profession
INSTRUCTION:
Form a group of 5 members within your department. Each group must have at least 1 female.

Send the list of your group members and indicate the group leader to the email by Tuesday 18th,
February 2025.

QUESTION
1. In your understanding, describe your engineering discipline.
2. In what area is the discipline relevant in Nigeria?
3. What are the opportunities available for young engineers in practice in Nigeria?
4. List five (5) skill sets that will be required to be relevant in your discipline by year 2029

Deadline for Submission of Assignment: Monday February 24,

2025
To: [email protected]
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