Want a career in privacy but can’t afford the certification? TechSocietal has opened applications for its Data Protection Leadership Fellowship. The fellowship fully sponsors the IIM Certified Data Protection Officer (CDPO) training and exam. It also adds hands-on modules, mentorship and a place in a professional network after you finish.
Applications close on 31 October 2026.
Location: Virtual. Funded by: UK International Development. The official flyer also carries the logo of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
About the Data Protection Leadership Fellowship
Nigerian organisations now face hard questions about children’s privacy, AI, digital identity, cybersecurity, health data and workplace surveillance. However, many of them, especially SMEs, cannot afford an experienced Data Protection Officer. Nigeria also has a shortage of certified data protection professionals, and women and young professionals are underrepresented in the field.
TechSocietal created the fellowship to close this gap. It is an intensive programme to train ethical, practical and people-centred Data Protection Officers in Nigeria. As TechSocietal puts it, “The IIM CDPO certification demonstrates that you understand the law. This Fellowship demonstrates that you can apply it.”
Benefits of the Fellowship
Selected fellows will receive:
- Full sponsorship for the IIM Certified Data Protection Officer (CDPO) training
- Full sponsorship for the IIM CDPO certification examination
- Five applied protection modules developed by TechSocietal. They cover privacy incidents, protecting vulnerable users, managing digital risks and handling hard ethical decisions
- Mentorship from experienced practitioners
- Practical case studies based on real Nigerian and African contexts
- Access to a growing community of practice
- A place in TechSocietal’s Data Protection Support Hub, which serves SMEs, after you complete the programme
Who Can Apply?
TechSocietal welcomes professionals and emerging practitioners who care about protecting people in the digital age. It particularly encourages applications from:
- Women professionals building careers in privacy and digital governance
- Young professionals and recent graduates
- Lawyers
- Technology professionals and cybersecurity practitioners
- Compliance, governance and risk professionals
- Data analysts
- Digital policy practitioners and researchers
- Practitioners from civil society organisations
- Professionals who support SMEs and startups
You should show genuine interest in privacy, technology governance, cybersecurity, compliance or responsible innovation. The fellowship is highly competitive. TechSocietal says it is looking for future leaders, not people who just want a free certificate. Strong applicants show curiosity, integrity, commitment to learning, professional excellence, willingness to support others and a passion for responsible technology.
What Is Expected of Fellows
Because the fellowship is fully funded, you will be expected to:
- Attend and take part in all mandatory learning sessions
- Complete all applied modules and practical assignments
- Sit the sponsored IIM CDPO exam and prepare seriously to pass it
- Join the Data Protection Support Hub after completion and help SMEs get affordable data protection support
- Keep high standards of professional and ethical conduct
Repeated non-engagement may lead to withdrawal of fellowship benefits. Every admitted fellow will also sign a Fellowship Commitment Agreement. TechSocietal describes it as “not a legal contract, but a professional pledge”.
Application Deadline
The deadline is 31 October 2026. Places are limited and awarded competitively, so apply early.
How to Apply
- Read the full programme details on the official TechSocietal fellowship page.
- Prepare a short account of why privacy and responsible technology matter to you, and how you plan to use the certification.
- Complete the official application form before 31 October 2026.
More Opportunities in Digital Safety and Tech
- SafeTech Africa HackLab 2026: Build Safer Digital and Community Spaces (closes 18 October 2026)
- Federal Government Digital Training Academy 2026: Free Digital Skills Training
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Data Protection Leadership Fellowship free?
Yes. TechSocietal fully sponsors the IIM CDPO training and the certification exam for selected fellows.
Do I need a law or tech background?
No. Lawyers and tech professionals are welcome, but so are recent graduates, researchers, compliance staff, data analysts and civil society practitioners. What matters is genuine interest in privacy and responsible technology.
What happens after the fellowship?
Graduates join TechSocietal’s Data Protection Support Hub. The Hub connects certified professionals with SMEs that need affordable, practical data protection support.
When is the deadline?
Applications close on 31 October 2026.
