Register with CPN or risk sanction, govt orders IT professionals

By Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

The Federal Government has directed all individuals and corporate organisations who are into any form of Information Technology (IT) practice to register with the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN), or risk sanction.

Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu who gave the directive at the formal inauguration of the 2021-2023 Council of CPN on Thursday in Abuja, said it had become necessary to expand ongoing efforts by government to address the issues of quacks, impostors and all other irregularities in the IT industry.

Represented by the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajuiba, he explained that the Federal Government was committed to making Nigeria a giant IT compliant economy.

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The minister also said the government was committed in raising new generations of youths properly equipped with IT knowledge in order to position them for global competitiveness

Adamu said: “The task of nation building through Information Technology is an enormous one, but it is something we can do. We are all aware of what a dynamic and progressive policy in Information Technology has done for many countries around the world. With our determination, commitment and professionalism, we can attain and surpass their record’’.

“The Federal Ministry of Education is conscious of your efforts at enforcing the Act that established you by making it mandatory for all individuals and corporate organisations that are practicing Information Technology in Nigeria to register with CPN. The global practice is for professionals to regulate their profession properly in order to ensure standards and best practices.

“Therefore, all Individuals and Corporate organisations that are into Information Technology practice should register with Computer Professionals (Registration Council of Nigeria). In this, Council has the support of the Ministry and of government in its fight against quacks, impostors and all irregularities in the IT industry.”

President and Chairman of the Council of CPN, Mr. Kole Jagun said the council has developed initiatives to reposition the information technology industry in the country for sustainable development of the nation.

He explained that the IT sector, if properly harnessed, may surpass other forms of revenue sources for the nation, saying, “the time is now, to use our creative talents to look inwards and create other sources of revenue for government.”