In a significant development for the Information Technology (IT) industry, the Computer Professionals (Registration) Council (CPN) and Data Analytics Privacy Technology Ltd (DAPT) have joined forces in a strategic partnership on bridging critical professional skills gap in data protection and privacy in the IT industry.

The collaboration was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by Mr. Muhammed Bello, Registrar of the CPN, and Mr. Segun Olugbile, the leader of the board and management of DAPT.

The partnership aims to pioneer professional training and certifications in Data Protection and Privacy, structure specifically to IT industry professionals in line with the industry practice and data protection and privacy regulation in the country.

The signing ceremony took place in the presence of key figures, including Mr. Taofik Amoo, Director of Education, Examination, and Training at the CPN, Mr. Aileru Ganiu, Director of Finance Affairs, and Mr. Vincent Onyenma, Training Officer from DAPT.

The strategic collaboration signifies a crucial milestone for both CPN and DAPT, as they embark on this journey to enhance the expertise and skills of IT practitioners in the domain of Data Protection and Privacy.

The Memorandum of Understanding lays the foundation for a comprehensive training and certifications program, ensuring that professionals are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of safeguarding personal data in an ever-evolving digital economy landscape.

This initiative underscores the commitment of both organizations to contribute to the professional growth and competence of individuals and organizations operating in the IT industry.

As the demand for robust data protection measures continue to rise, this partnership is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the standard of practices within the industry.

The collective expertise and resources brought forth by CPN and DAPT are expected to create a positive long time impact, fostering a culture of awareness, proficiency, and competence in Data Protection and Privacy creating a strategic balance of skills and competencies between of roles of IT and legal practitioners in mainstreaming effective data protection and privacy regime for the country.

As the industry embraces this new chapter, it is anticipated that the collaborative efforts will elevate the standards of data protection governance, risk and security compliance practices and contribute to a more resilient and secure IT ecosystem.

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TECHDIGEST – Computer Professionals (Registration Council of Nigeria) (CPN) has condemned the proposed NITDA Bill 2021 in its entirety.

CPN delegates, led by Mr. Kole Jagun, the President and Chairman of Council, were at the stakeholders engagement, recently organized by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to consider the proposed NITDA Bill 2021 which, among other things, aimed at changing NITDA from an IT Development Agency, to a Regulator of the Information Technology industry ecosystem.

It was obvious from the comments, suggestions and opinions expressed by all other stakeholders, at the meeting which held in Abuja on Friday 18th February, 2022 that the NITDA Bill 2021 arrogates powers of several other Regulatory Agencies to NITDA, which is an infringement on the statutory powers of other agencies of government like CPN, National Communications Commission (NCC), Galaxy backbone, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the National Universities Commission (NUC), etc.

Stakeholders who attended the meeting were unanimous in their opinions that several sections in the proposed NITDA Bill is an usurpation of the statutory powers of other Agencies of government that had been in existence before NITDA, and who have been performing their statutory roles.

For instance, Section 6, 13, 20, 21, and 22, which talked about NITDA’s power, licensing and authorizations, and offences and penalties, among others, raised some pertinent issues.

Section 6 arrogated new powers to NITDA, which included the ability to fix licensing and authorization charges, collect fees and penalties and issue contravention notices and non-compliance with the Act.

All the Agencies present during the stakeholders’ engagement were unanimous in their opinion that all the offending sections of the proposed NITDA Bill, giving NITDA powers to perform other Agencies’ functions should be expunged.

Jagun said CPN strongly believes that NITDA should stick to its role as an IT Development Agency and stop seeking Regulatory roles since there is so much that is yet to be done under Information Technology Development in the Country.

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TECH DIGEST – The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), the umbrella body for all Information Technology Practitioners in Nigeria, in its advocacy capacity, has called on the government at all levels in Nigeria, to tap into the opportunities in multi-billion dollar Cybersecurity market in Africa and also harness local talents to tame the tide of attacks which have been on increase in the recent times.

These are part of recommendations contained in a communiqué issued at the end of second Stakeholders’ Forum on Cybersecurity held at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), in Abuja, recently.

The Society which was established in 1978 and comprises of various interest groups in the ICT industry, believes that the statistical report that by 2023, the Africa (& Middle East) Cybersecurity market will be valued at about $45 billion, therefore presents Nigeria with huge opportunities to create jobs and leverage experts’ skills to become cyber-battle ready.

“The Nigerian Society is advised to key into the sector and generate jobs. There is also currently a shortfall of 2.3 billion jobs in Cybersecurity, so Nigeria needs to produce Cybersecurity experts,” the President of NCS, Professor Adesina Sodiya, re-echoed.

Interestingly, the Association has over 10,000 professional members across the country and over five hundred thousand student members in the Higher Institutions, Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education, and other Accredited Computer Training Centers in Nigeria.

“Since it was established, NCS has been strategic in its advices to members, governments, other competent authorities and the public, on national and international policy matters affecting the computing, information and systems technology industry.

“Consequent upon the Foregoing, the Nigeria Computer Society has observed that Cyber Attacks in Nigeria today, is on the increase”, the President said.

Sodiya explained that the observation was based on current local and International reports.

“Individuals, governments, and corporate organizations are losing huge sum of money and properties due to cyber-attacks. Threat techniques are continually changing, and attacks are getting more sophisticated by the day, it is believed that this trend will continue if nothing is done”, he said.

He expressed NCS’s commitment to IT development in Nigeria which informed the forum geared towards addressing the factors mitigating efficient use of IT for leapfrogging development.

Meanwhile, the Forum resolved among other things; that due to impact of COVID-19 on health sector cybersecurity space, the Government should include the health sector infrastructure in the list of critical National Infrastructure and there should be a deliberate effort to come up with programs to build the capacity of young Nigerians in the field of Cybersecurity hence government needs to invest in catching the young ones.

“There is need for Government to train more of our youths on Ethical Hacking and how to use historical data through the help of artificial intelligence to fight cybercrime. Theses trainings should be either academic or vocational”, the NCS’ Forum noted.

“The Government should ensure that all organizations have a security policy in place. Chief Executive Officers should be trained to identify the sensitive data used in their organizations.

Participants also recommended that cybersecurity trainings should also be included at the Basic education level; “the trainings should be made interesting for example the training can be in form of games for kids to help develop their interest”.

“There is need to develop our own internal resources and technology to store our sensitive data as a nation. NITDA should enforce the use of gov emails in all government agencies for security reasons.

“There should be enhanced enforcement of the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation NDPR laws. Chief Executives who violate the laws should be sanctioned.

“The Computer Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN) should look at ways to develop professional certifications for Nigerians locally. This will save the cost of Professionals getting it internationally.

“The Government and private sector should take Cybersecurity awareness to the grassroots to enlighten the underserved and rural people. This can be done via radio jingles, cartoons, traditional dance, billboards, and media houses.

The NCS Forum also suggested that government should introduce internet monitoring, to blacklist fraudulent sites and fake news sites, among other recommendations.

The Stakeholders Forum was well attended by participants form the various sectors in Nigeria.

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TECH DIGEST – Computer Professionals (Registration Council) of Nigeria (CPN), at its 93rd Regular Council meeting which held in Abuja, recently, ratified the appointment of Mr. Mohammed Bello Aliyu as the New Registrar/Secretary to Council.
The approval was based on the recommendations of the Screening Sub Committee of the Council, which reviewed and interviewed applicants for the position, according to a statement by the Head, Corporate Communications, Aderemi Raji-Awe.

Mr. Mohammed Bello Aliyu, who hails from Sokoto State, holds a Bachelors degree in Computer Science from Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, an M.Sc in Computer Science from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.

He is also a doctoral student at Kebbi State University of Science & Technology, Aliero, Kebbi State. He currently lectures at Sokoto State University, Sokoto.
Mr. Aliyu working experience span the following capacity: National Assessor: e-content/Interface/Animation/Database and Security Expert for Mlearning e-Resource Software at the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC); Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) NEC Member; Sokoto State Technical Assistant (STA) CPN JAMB CBT; State Chairman, Nigeria Computer Society, Sokoto State Chapter; two term CPN Council Member; Chairman, Direct Purchase Committee, Sokoto State University; National Vice President, Information Technology Systems and Security Professionals (ITSSP); Ex-Officio North, NITPCs; Treasurer, Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, Bauchi Branch; Member, Bauchi State Emergency Response Team; Vice President International/Director of Growth and Development, Bauchi city Lom JCI Nigeria; LOM President, Bauchi City Lom, JCI Nigeria (NYSC).
Mr. Aliyu succeeds Mr. Allwell Achumba whose tenure as Registrar ended on Saturday 31st October, 2020.

Mr. Aliyu’s appointment takes effect from December 1, 2020.

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