By Emeka Aginam
Although technology was at the center of the just concluded 2015 elections, Nigerian IT practitioners have expressed fresh concern saying that Nigeria may not reap the benefits of digital economy of the 21st century unless the incoming government listens to the wake up call of making Information Technology the centerpiece of national development mission.
For the IT Professionals who believe that they have been totally eclipsed out of the process against the spirit of Nigeria Local Content ACT 2010 and
the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeri
(CPN)Act 49 of 1993,the gains of digital promise of the knowledge economy is at stake unless the new government makes IT a national priority.
According to the concerned IT experts, Nigeria will continue to be digitally colonized if she fails to take advantage of the digital promise and opportunities of knowledge automation presented by the 21st century information society
Pay attention to indigenous products -Uwaje
For transparent leadership and governance, the immediate President of Institute of Practitioners of Nigeria, ISPON, Chris Uwaje who has been preaching local content said that the incoming government must pay attention to locally developed solution to free the country from digital slavery by the western powers.
Uwaje
“I am concerned, just like other IT Professionals and Practitioners that while technology is at the center of the electoral processes, this is the time to pay attention to IT as the bedrock of national development.
“General Muhammadu Buhari is elected to govern 180 million Nigerians, but he may not deliver the dividend of Democracy, unless Information Technology and IT Professionals are at the centre of his leadership program.
“ It is practically impossible today to govern effectively and transparently without Information Technology.
“IT has made the great difference in the 2015 Presidential election. It has relatively rescued transparency and restored truth as the ultimate currency for the prosperous future of Nigeria. Therefore, sustaining the critical path and role of information technology to deliver peoples-first, smart and innovative governance is a strategic imperative for our survivability and global competitiveness”, the Oracle of the Nigerian IT industry who championed the IT policy blueprint in 2001 said.
To resolve the national IT challenge, Uwaje who many industry watchers see as the next President of the Nigerian Computer Society, (NCS) said that the new government must do the following:
*Mandatory automation of all Government processes, functions and operations (long overdue)
*Create a consolidated and centralized National Database (overdue 40 years ago)
*Establish Office of the Chief Information Technology General of the Federation
*Approve the pending National Software Strategic Policy and Cyber Security Bill. (long Overdue)
*Create ten IT or Knowledge Innovation Parks in the 1st 100 Days in Office
*Establish two Software Engineering Institutes (SEI) within two years in Office – in fulfilment of the spirit of the Local Content Development ACT
*Convert the NYSC to an IT Retooling Camp as IT capacity Disaster Recovery Strategy
*Create a meaningful stimulus Package to empower the IT Industry.
Recognize importance of ICT in socio-economic dev—ISPON
In the opinion of the President of ISPON, Pious Okigbo Junior, Nigeria may not attain digital economy unless the new government recognizes the importance of ICT in the socio-economi development.
“My expectation is that the incoming administration will recognize the immense importance of ICT in development (social and economic) and set in play policies to drive economic development with ICT. There isn’t much one can hope for until they layout what their vision for the nation is in the coming years. We can only hope that the gains made by GEJ in the sector will be built on”, the ISPON President said.
Culture of process automation in governance—AfICTA
Also speaking, former President of Information Technology Association of Nigeria, ITAN, Dr. Jimson Olufuye who is also the Chairman of the Africa Information & Communication Technologies Alliance, AFICTA, for a better governance, he expected Buhari’s “Change” to affect government ICT culture.
“I expect a culture of process automation of all government service deliverables to citizens as minimum requirement to foster anti-corruption and transparency campaign.
Also, I expect ICT regulation and oversight role of government streamlined for better service delivery to industry actors (e.g. Telcos).
“Iam particularly interested in strong government engagement with ICT stakeholders locally as it is done in Egypt where government is actively involved in developing the ICT industry and internationally at the UNCSTD, WSIS, ICANN, ITU and AU”, he explained.
IT Professionals in government boards—Awe
In building a digital society, the role of IT professionals, according to Jide Awe, Innovation and Development Advisor cannot be restricted to contract awards, supply, provision and support of IT solutions.
IT professionals, he noted should to be represented at the highest levels in the policy and decision making process.
Gaps In cyber security
For Awe, gaps in cyber Security and IT legislation portend grave implications for IT development and national security.
“The enactment of relevant laws has been slow. The call for strategic intervention to fast track the enactment of appropriate legislation is long overdue”he said.
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