Leverage on IT revolution for development – NCS

The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has admonished Nigerians and governments at all levels to take advantage of the ongoing information technology (IT) revolution to leapfrog national development.
Speaking at a maiden press briefing in Lagos, the society’s new president, Professor David Adewumi, lamented that the nation missed the opportunity offered by the global industrial revolution of the 1980s. He urged the government to ensure that Nigeria must not miss another chance to reap abundantly from the IT revolution this time around.
Should this new opportunity slip by, he warned that the consequences will be too great for the country to bear as it will set Nigeria back 20 times, calling for a situation where the Federal Government will show more interest in the activities of NCS. Also, he decried the high rate of under utilisation of IT professionals especially, at the corridors of power. Adewumi noted that, although, IT is the driving force behind the digital economy, professionals are yet to be fully recognized by the Nigerian government in critical aspects of the economy.
He decried a situation where IT professionals are excluded from the board of institutions in the ICT Ministry, adding that both past and present administrations, deliberately refused to incorporate IT professionals as part of boards and management of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). This attitude, he continued, has hindered the pursuit of local content in Nigeria.
“The profession and industry must therefore be appropriately rewarded, recognized and strengthened. Local content needs to be enforced practically and those working and providing services in the IT sector in Nigeria should be encouraged and supported in providing the much needed innovative solutions for job creation, security, governance, health and our country’s many issues.
“The nation is not fully harnessing the growth opportunity of the IT sector-industry, academia, profession, entrepreneurs and other Stakeholders. Appropriate recognition, policies and legislation still needs to be put in place. It is imperative that the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue fully face this reality. The National Dialogue must grasp the need to incorporate and prioritize the role of the IT sector if Nigeria is to be a key prayer and fulfill its promise in the 21st Century,” he stressed.
Adewumi urged government at all levels to correct this that may stand in the way of the nation creating jobs massively, besides hindering the quest for a sound educational system.
“Without strong IT profession and industry it will be impossible for Nigeria to drive change and unleash Nigeria’s growth potentials.”
Also speaking, the society’s Deputy President, Dr. Adesola Aderounmu, said the body is particularly interested in collaborating with stakeholders to embark on the promotion of IT development in Nigeria, adding that governments, practitioners, corporate bodies, the academia, journalists, among others, are needed to champion the course.