NCS rues under-utilisation of IT professionals in govt

Plans conference for inclusive development

Professionals, under the aegis of Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), have lamented, what what described as the under-utilisation of Information and Technology (IT) experts in the governance of the country.

Besides, NCS has tasked President Mohammed Buhari on the need to ensure his administration pursue aggressively inclusive development through IT.

Bodies under NCS included, the Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN), the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), The Internet Service Providers’ Association of Nigeria (ISPAN), Nigerian Women In Information Technology (NIWIIT), Nigerian Information Technology Professionals in the Civil Service (NITPCS), Academia in IT (AiIT) and Information Technology Systems and Security Professionals (ITSSP).

The President of NCS, Prof. David Adewumi, at a press briefing in Lagos, to announce the yearly conference of the society slated for July 22 to 24, in Akure, Ondo State, with the theme: ‘Information Technology for Inclusive Development’, said with the crop of IT professionals associated with the society, there should be no challenge in getting intellects that can contribute significantly to the development of Nigeria.

“But the challenge has been that we have never had any concrete recognition from the various government we have had in this country”, he stated.

To change this scenario, Prof.Adewumi, on behalf of NCS, said government both at the Federal and state cadrel should comply with the Computer Professionals (and registration Council) of Nigeria, popularly known as CPN Act (4a), in the appointment of IT experts into various boards and parastatals; while all boards of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, especially those that depend on IT to perform and fulfill their mandates, must have at least one IT expert as a member.

Prof. Adewumi added that setting such IT agenda for the present government has become expedient, particularly for rapid economic development of the nation.

Prof. Adewumi, who is also the Dean, School of Science and Technology, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), recalled that previous administrations have paid little attention to the CPN Acts in its dealings with IT related appointments, project designs, and executions.

According to him, the society believed that, in addition to the Cybercrime Act, legislation should be enacted to foster the development of IT and IT enabled activities and growth of the IT industry and profession.

“The usage of IT in Governance and Security needs to be improved through more widespread adoption of IT professionalism in the private and public sectors. NCS and its members can play a major role in improving the state of security nationwide, combating terrorism, enhancing public service delivery and accountability and boosting job creation.

“There should be preferential usage of Nigerian professionals in major and strategic national IT projects and initiatives instead of always importing people, products and solutions and creating jobs in other countries”, he stated.

Butressing Prof. Adewunmi’s claims, the President of (ITSSP), Rogba Adeoye, also rued the neglect of professionals from the IT sector, stressing that this has been a major disincentive to the growth of the economy.

Adeoye, a Fellow of the NCS, said it has become highly imperative for government to invest hugely in ICT development cum professionals, which will give them to contribute meaningfully to the development of the economy.

On the planned conference, the 12th edition, which will also see to the election of new NEC members of the society, Prof. Adewunmi said it is intended to provide a forum for policy makers, public and private sector, IT practitioners and the academia to keep up-to-date with technology trends in Nigeria and world at large.‎

The NCS President said participants will also discover opportunities for the private sector in the process of inclusive development and avenues for public-private partnerships towards realizing the IT objectives within the context of Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

The Conference, according him, “will provide opportunities for the delegates to exchange new ideas, establish business or research relations, and find global part.