Lucas Ajanaku
The President/Chairman of the Council, Computer Professionals (Registration Council) of Nigeria (CPN), Prof Charles Uwadia has said quackery remained a challenge in the information technology (IT) profession and urged new inductees not to take anything for granted on their knowledge of the profession.
Speaking virtually at this year’s IT Assembly organised by the Group, the president, however, urged the inductees to channel their energy and talents on positive things that would be of benefit to various organisations and the nation, pointing out that CPN decided to focus on 5G technology because of the various opportunities its adoption will bring to the economy.
The forum had as its theme: ‘’Adoption of 5G in Nigeria: The Technological and Regulatory Challenges.’’
According to Uwadia, 5G, which has been touted as the next frontier of investment, has the potential to drive growth and social inclusion in the country’s Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector, which contributes more than fossil oil and gas to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He, however, argued that the adoption of the 5G network is not without its own challenges, and this was the reason for the choice of the theme of the forum, which hinged on the technological and regulatory challenges associated with the adoption of the 5G.
Prof Uwadia said some of the challenges bothered on the future of frequency bands, deployment and coverage, device support, security and privacy, digital infrastructure challenges, outdated regulatory policies, commitment to actions that promote the long-term growth of the digital economy, misgivings and health concerns against it, among other issues.
The gathered IT professionals and practitioners in Nigeria and diaspora with the objective of discussing and strategising on emergent issues in Information Technology in order to come out with recommendations and decisions that will impart positively on the industry and the nation.
He said: “The yearly Assembly has become an instrument of promoting and uplifting the profile of the profession. Also, this platform has assisted in raising the profile and enhances the visibility of the profession in Nigeria. I am of the firm opinion that we are gradually gravitating towards a time in which Information Technology will not only be the driver of operations in the private and public sector of the economy, but will also contribute meaningfully to the Gross Domestic Product as well as being a foreign exchange earner for the economy.
“When we selected this theme in September 2019, COVID-19 was virtually unknown to the world. We also never anticipated that there was going to be so much conspiratory theories surrounding 5G networks. However, it was apparent that 5G was going to play a critical role in moving the nation rapidly toward a digital economy.
“Fifth-generation wireless (5G) is the latest iteration of cellular technology, engineered to greatly increase the speed and responsiveness of wireless networks. 5G is important because it has the potential to support millions of devices at ultrafast speeds; it is also capable of transforming the lives of people around the world.
“Other advantages of the 5G network include, improving accessibility, extending the reach of mobile broadband, improving safety, health and security, support for business innovative ambitions, creating new markets, transforming supply chain management, and creating smarter and more efficient manufacturing sector.
“There is no doubt that the adoption of 5G, which has been touted as the next frontier of investment, has the proficiencies and potentials to drive economic growth and social inclusion. Presently, Nigeria’s ICT sector contributes more than oil and gas to the GDP. To demonstrate its seriousness on the 5G migration, the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) midwifed the non-commercial trial of the 5G network in November 2019.
Speaking on the challenges of the technology, Prof Uwadia said: “It is for this reason that the 2020 IT Professionals’ Assembly we looked at the technological and regulatory challenges associated with the adoption of 5G viz-a-viz the future of frequency bands, deployment and coverage, device support, security and privacy, Digital Infrastructure challenges, outdated regulatory policies, removal of impediments to the expansion of digital infrastructure, commitment to actions that promote the long-term growth of the digital economy, misgivings and health concerns against it, among other issues.”
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