Among the CPN presidential candidates, Professor Ganiyu Adesola Aderounmu stands out for his proven leadership, integrity, and remarkable contributions to Nigeria’s ICT landscape.

A former President of the Nigeria Computer Society (2015–2019), Prof. Aderounmu is widely respected as a visionary scholar, nation builder, and innovator who has consistently delivered at every level—from academia to national ICT strategy.

Currently serving as Director of OAU’s ICT & Africa Centre of Excellence (OAK-Park), Prof. Aderounmu has led groundbreaking initiatives in AI, cybersecurity, and data analytics, while securing major international research grants and spearheading industry-academic collaborations.

Under his leadership, OAK-Park has become a hub of digital innovation, spawning five startup spin-offs and attracting global partnerships from China, Canada, the U.S., UK, and India.

But beyond the accolades, what truly sets Prof. Aderounmu apart is his humility, selfless service, and unwavering integrity.

Colleagues who’ve worked closely with him consistently highlight his ability to inspire, listen, and lead with purpose.

“One of the great things about working with Prof. Aderounmu is his humility and selfless nature,” said Jide Awe, a former NCS Conferences Committee Chair.

“He supported our youth innovation and mentoring programs without hesitation and remains committed to excellence, collaboration, and impact,” he added.

With a career spanning over 32 years, Prof. Aderounmu has supervised 23 PhDs and over 50 MSc students, published 150+ papers, and contributed to major ICT policy frameworks across Africa.

He holds fellowships from NCS, the British Computer Society, the African Scientific Institute, and more. In 2024, he was named Africa’s Outstanding Scholar of the Year by the University of Nottingham, UK.

Those who know him best describe him as a man of honour, fairness, and quiet strength—a leader who embodies accountability and respects diverse perspectives, yet stands firm when it matters most.

As the CPN looks ahead to a more innovative, inclusive, and globally relevant future, the need for tested and trusted leadership has never been greater.

“I have no hesitation in endorsing Professor Aderounmu. His track record speaks volumes—he is the kind of leader CPN needs to thrive in today’s fast-evolving digital world.”

“The ICT community now has the opportunity to entrust the future of CPN to Professor Aderounmu, a man whose life work has been to build people, platforms, and policy”, Awe said.

Speaking on the sideline of preparations for this year’s CPN IT Assembly, Mr. Kola Jagun, the President/Chairman In-Council said that CPN is now entering the process of enforcements as enough awareness and advocacies have been made purge the industry of unprofessional and unethical practices.

He said CPN was established in recognition of the increasing global prominence of Information Technology (IT) and its role as a driver of socio-economic development hence the Federal Government identified the need to put appropriate regulatory mechanism in place to ensure that growth and development in the IT sector occurs within an atmosphere that is devoid of quackery, arbitrary practice and lack of standard.

Accordingly, Computer Professionals (Registration Council of Nigeria), [CPN] was established through Act No 49 of 1993. The Act was passed into law on 10^th of June and gazetted on the 9th of August that year.

“It is a corporate entity that is charged with the regulation, control and supervision of the computing profession and practice in Nigeria in line with Section 1 (2) of the Act.

“The CPN hereinafter referred to as Council is under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Education, with the National Assembly having/performing oversight functions over it.

“We have carried out adequate advocacies and enlightenments in the past on why many of these people should regularize their IT practice. We are getting to the stage of enforcement because we would want to continue to witness quackery which makes mockery of professional practitioners. Enough is enough”, he said.

In his contributions, Dr. Essien Eyo, Vice President and Vice Chairman In-Council of CPN, said the Body is solely responsible for the determination of the standards of knowledge and skills to be attained by persons seeking to become members of the computing profession and improve those standards from time to time as circumstances may permit.

“CPN has the mandate to secure, in accordance with the provision of the Act, the establishment and maintenance of a register of persons seeking to be registered under the Act to practice the computing profession and the publication from time to time of the list of such persons. 

“Consequently, the Council is responsible for the following among other things:

a. Determining academic and professional standards in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology and other related disciplines.

b. Accreditation of institutions’ courses and programmes as well as evaluation of certificates in computing and other related disciplines.

c. Conducting professional examinations

d. Organization, control and supervision of computing practice in Nigeria

e. Screening of individuals seeking to be registered to engage in the sale or use of computing facilities and the provision of professional services in computing in the country.

f. Ensuring high computing professional Ethics and Standards.

g. Creation and sustenance of local and international contacts for the numerous members of the profession.

h. Regulate charges for specific professional services and facilities.

i. Publication of the Register of Computer Professionals and other professional works like journals, books, magazines and newsletters.

“The Act 49 of 1993, referred to above, makes it mandatory for all persons and organizations seeking to engage, or are engaged in IT training/Education, sale and/or use of computing facilities, and the provision of professional services in computational or related machinery in Nigeria to be registered by the Council and licensed to carry out such activities”.

Dr. Eyo added that efforts are being made to ensure that the supervising Ministry and other stakeholders continue to develop criteria for skills development in accordance with the demands of the present and the future workplace. 

Computer Professionals (Registration Council of Nigeria) (CPN), has unveiled the theme, date and venue for this year’s Information Technology (IT) professionals’ assembly, TechEconomy can report.

Similarly, the Body is advocating for the use of e-Government tools to ensure transparency, accountability and good governance in the country.

Mr. Kola Jagun, President/Chairman-in-Council, Computer Professionals (Registration Council of Nigeria) (CPN), spoke during a media parley on Tuesday May 09, 2023, where he said this year’s gathering is the seventeenth edition in the series of Information Technology Professionals’ Assembly.

CPN IT Assembly is an exclusive networking event for senior Information Technology (IT) decision makers, IT consultants, upcoming IT entrepreneurs, start–ups, IT practitioners, teachers and IT Systems administrators.

The Assembly is also a platform for some of the industry’s most innovative technology distribution and service providers to showcase their products and services; and for participants to appreciate the emerging technologies, trends, and risks that are associated with transforming the various industries using IT.

According to Mr. Jagun;

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in Year 2020, the annual Assembly has taken a new structure in line with the dictates of this moment. In Year 2020, for example, it held purely as a virtual event, and in 2021, and last year, the event held as a hybrid (virtual and physical). The Year 2023 edition of the Assembly will also be a hybrid event as it is the practice with programmes of its kind all over the world.

Theme, Date and Venue of CPN IT Assembly

The Year 2023 IT Professionals’ Assembly with the theme, “e-Government for Transparency, Accountability and Good Governance” will hold at NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja from Tuesday 16^th – Wednesday 17^th May, 2023.

The event, the President/Chairman In-Council said, will commence with an Induction programme and admission of new members into the IT profession.

“There is no gainsaying that the achievement of good governance in these times needs a functional e-governance.

“This is because adequate use of ICT serves as a catalyst to an effective and efficient service delivery, quick response, accountability and transparency. Greater use of information and communications technology and e-government will increase governmental transparency, accountability and good Governance. This, in turn, may invite citizen participation, foster e-governance, and help nurture our nascent democracy.

He said that the realization or actualization of sustainable development cannot be possible without good governance.

“It is for this reason that the 2023 IT Professionals’ Assembly shall be considering   as its theme, ‘e-Government for Transparency, Accountability and Good Governance.’’’

The Keynote, he said, would be delivered by Prof Isa Pantami, the Minister for Communications & Digital Economy.  

“Speakers at the Assembly will speak to the relevance of e-governance to the actualization of good governance by considering the link between them and identifying suitable strategies for an effective application of e-governance for realization of good governance in Nigeria.

Drawing on the global, regional, and national experiences, the 2023 IT Professionals’ Assembly will highlight the opportunities and challenges of building more innovations that can drive the economy of our nation. We envisaged that in the years to come, Nigeria shall be a nation that has fully leveraged on, and harnessed the potential e-Governance for transparency, accountability, and good governance for the benefit of her economy and uplift the people.

Computer Professionals (Registration Council of Nigeria), (CPN) was established through Act No 49 of 1993 which empowers the Body with the regulation, control and supervision of the computing profession and practice in Nigeria in line with Section 1 (2) of the Act.

The Council hereinafter referred to as CPN is under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Education.

NITDA said the National Assembly should, for the sake of national IT development, return the initial clause in the existing Act Part II Sec(2c) to grant that “Four persons to represent affiliate bodies of the Computer Professionals’ Registration Council of Nigeria”.

TechEconomy investigations show that representatives of Computer Practitioners (Registration Council) of Nigeria (CPN) are the only practicing professionals on the board of NITDA today.

| ALSO READ: Major Concerns in NITDA Amendment Bill 2022

Professor Adesina Sodiya, the National President of NCS, while addressing journalists on Tuesday, January 03, 2023 in Lagos, said that “Removing them will deny NITDA of vital contributions of IT professionals in its decision and policy-making”.

Historically, NCS as the body of IT professionals and practitioners with over 15,000 memberships inclusive of many Interest Groups and Stakeholders serving the interest of all and the Nation in the IT eco System, played leading role in the establishment of leading Government IT agencies such as the Federal Ministry of Communications Technology (now, Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy), NITDA, etc.

NCS has remained relevant in promoting IT developmental values and steadfast in the pursuance of its goals and vision amongst which are; to advise members, governments, other competent authorities, and the public, on national and international policy matters affecting the computing, information & systems technology industry.

The Body has also continued to build global affiliations, to cooperate with similar professional organizations throughout the world, and to receive, render or reciprocate such services as are beneficial to and consistent with the objectives of the Society, amongst other activities.

In his speech titled: ‘NCS 2022 Strategic Review and 2023 IT Outlook,’ Prof. Sodiya, said that despite some sections of the proposed NITDA bill 2022’ infringement on CPN Act, NCS has made its recommendations known to the appropriate quarters:

“Federal Ministry of Science & Technology is still relevant and should be included in the Part II Sec (2b) of the NITDA Act.

Representatives of both regulatory and professional bodies in IT Practice should be represented on the board of NITDA.

Part II Sec(2c):

A return of the initial clause in the existing Act Part II Sec(2c). –

Four persons to represent affiliate bodies of the Computer Professionals’ Registration Council of Nigeria. Please note that representatives of CPN are the only practicing professionals on the board of NITDA today.

Removing them will deny NITDA of vital contributions of IT professionals in its decision and policy-making.

Part II Sec(2d &2e)

(d) Two persons with cognate experience in IT practice and registered with CPN from Departments of Computer Science or IT related disciplines to represent the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics.

| ALSO READ: NITDA says Nigeria can Generate $40b Annually from Tech Talents

(e) Six persons who are experts in the area of Information Technology and licenced to practice IT by CPN; appointed by the President from each of the six (6) geo-political zones of Nigeria.

Part III Sec 8(1-5)

Section 4, Part III Sub-section 8 (1-5), (1) should be reinstated.

(2) A candidate for the post of DG must possess academic qualifications and cognate experience of not less than ten (10) years in Computing and Information Technology related disciplines. Experience in the following field could be an added advantage:

(a) Administration

(b) Engineering

(b) Finance & Management

…….(3) should be reinstated.

…….(4) and (5) in the existing Act should be returned to sustain the powers of NITDA board.

…….(4) and (5) in the existing Act should be returned to sustain the powers of NITDA board”, he said.

Mr. Kole Jagun, President and Chairman of Council, Computer Professionals (Registration Council) of Nigeria (CPN), gave the advice on Tuesday in Abeokuta, Ogun State while delivering a goodwill message at this year’s Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) International Conference.

He said the conference theme; ‘Smart, Secure and Sustainable Nation’, reflects the need for the government not to pay lip services, but must be intentional about this by developing effective strategies.

Jagun added that the country’s quest for innovation leveraging research and development must increase.

“There is no gainsaying that innovation and sustainable development remain some of the most critical issues in Nigeria today.

“Also, the emergence of connected cities and data-driven nations is making planning and decision-making easier at the global level.

“Different studies have ranked Africa low in adopting technology to build a safe, secure, and sustainable economy. At the heart of the technology driving innovation is data and citizens engagement.   

“In transforming our nation to meet future demand, we must use technology to create a more sustainable and liveable present and secure future for our citizens. We must change our approach and challenge the status quo.

“To achieve the Smart, Secure, and Sustainable Nation that we desire therefore, the government, the citizens, the IT ecosystem, and the business environment must invest in relevant technologies to compete in the global space.

“This approach requires the right team with new mindsets and skills. Council therefore appreciates the NCS for considering Smart, Secure, and Sustainable Nation (S3N22)” as the theme for the 2022 International Conference.  It is heart-warming to note that, just like past editions of the conference, this Conference has brought together policymakers within the government, business leaders, members of academia, professionals, and practitioners to deliberate on broad social, economic, and technology trends relevant to the development and sustainability of our dear nation, Nigeria”.

The CPN President/Chairman in Council commended the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) under the leadership of Professor Adesina Simon Sodiya for its consistency over the years, especially for providing veritable platforms through this Conference, and its other fora and activities to engage industry, government, lawmakers, the academia, civil society and all stakeholders in various strategic national debates on technology – advancing issues.

“We feel proud to be part of the giant strides and impacts that the NCS is making as an advocacy group that is committed to achieving sustainable IT development in Nigeria, and make bold to say that the NCS is a proactive and forward-looking organization that is living up to its billing”.

The CPN President also assured the NCS and indeed this gathering that the Computer Professionals (Registration Council of) Nigeria [CPN], the apex regulatory body for the practice of Information Technology in Nigeria, will continue to collaborate and identify with the NCS in realizing its set objectives.

This year’s IT Assembly is the sixteenth edition in the series of Information Technology Professionals’ Assembly, TechEconomy.ng can report.

Similarly, the Computer Professionals (Registration Council of Nigeria), (CPN), established through Act No 49 of 1993, has reiterated that it is illegal for individual and organization to practice IT profession in Nigeria without subjecting themselves to the supervision of CPN.

The Act which was passed into law on 10th of June and gazetted on the 9th of August 1993, incorporated the entity to be in charge of the regulation, control and supervision of the computing profession and practice in Nigeria in line with Section 1 (2) of the Act.

Mr. Kola Jagun, the President/Chairman of Council, CPN, stated these during a press conference on Thursday May 13, 2022 as he highlighted that the IT Assembly, which is the flagship of all IT programmes in Nigeria, is an exclusive networking event for senior Information Technology (IT) decision makers, IT consultants, upcoming IT entrepreneurs, start–ups, IT practitioners, teachers and IT Systems administrators.

“The Assembly,” Jagun said, “is also a platform for some of the industry’s most innovative technology distribution and service providers to showcase their products and services; and for participants to appreciate the emerging technologies, trends, and risks that are associated with transforming the various industries using IT.

“Since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in Year 2020, the annual Assembly has taken a new structure in line with the dictates of this moment. In Year 2020, for example, it held purely as a virtual event, and last year, the event held as a hybrid event (virtual and physical). The Year 2022 edition of the Assembly will also be a hybrid event as it is the practice with programmes of its kind all over the world”.

He said that the year 2022 IT Professionals’ Assembly with the theme, “Leveraging IT for National Security and Economic Stability” will hold at NAF Conference Centre, Kado, Abuja from Wednesday 18th – Thursday 19th May 2022.

While stressing the importance of the CPN IT Assembly, the President/Chairman of Council said,

“Information technology plays a significant role in the Security and Economic Stability of any country and Nigeria is not different. Information Technology will continue to strengthen the national security against future upcoming threats and cyber-attacks. Information technology can help countries to identify potential threats, share information easily, and protect mechanisms in them.

“Information Technology (IT) has changed our way of life considerably. IT has shaped substantially the mode of peoples’ interaction, business process, entertainment and learning.

“There is no gainsaying that IT is encouraging globalization and exchange of information. The benefits of using these technologies are immense and they are here to stay. In the context of globalization and further economic integration in recent decades, the relationship between the economy and national security has become increasingly interlinked”.

Speaking specifically on the theme, Jagun said, “National security is important not only to the government, but to the nation as a whole. IT deals with the use of electronic computers and computer software to convert, store, protect process, transmit, and securely retrieve information. Today, the term information has ballooned to encompass many aspects of computing and technology, and the term has become very recognizable.

“Specifically, IT will help enable the nation to identify potential threats, share information more readily”.

Meanwhile, the 2022 CPN IT Professionals’ Assembly shall be considering, among other things, the relationships and the interplays, and how Information Technology (IT) could be leveraged for improved national security and economic stability.

“From the deliberations, the Assembly will come up with findings and recommendations that will be geared towards deploying advanced technologies through effective partnerships that promote economic, technological, and national security competitiveness”.

He also emphasized the need for practitioners to regularize their activities by registering with CPN.

“The Act 49 of 1993, referred to above, makes it mandatory for all persons and organizations seeking to engage, or engaged in the sale or use of computing facilities and the provision of professional services in computing as well as the use of computational machinery and techniques related thereto to be registered by the Council and licensed to carry out such activities. It is illegal to engage in computing and professional practice without satisfying the above condition- registration and possession of a current valid license”, he said.

Speaking virtually during the first edition of the program, Kashifu Inuwa, the director-general of NITDA, who was represented by the Director, Information Technology Infrastructure Solutions, Dr. Usman Abdullahi, disclosed that the Agency holds its stakeholders in high esteem and would ensure they derive value from all NITDA’s interventions.

The program, which would hold in eight different states across the country commences with the Gombe State’ edition on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at the Banquet Hall, Gombe International Hotel, Gombe, Gombe State with the theme “Creating Opportunities, Breaking Boundaries: Towards Digitalisation and Entrepreneurial Evolution.”

The other States where the program would be taken place includes; Bauchi, Kano. Kaduna Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, and Bayelsa.

According to the NITDA boss, “Stakeholders’ Engagement Program is aimed at delivering values to our stakeholders and this is in tandem with our core values of people first, innovative and professionalism.”

He added that part of why the Agency is organizing the event is its strive to deliver value to its stakeholders. “That would not be possible without listening to you and speaking with you to get clarity on your perspective, aspirations, and needs,” he disclosed.

Inuwa noted that the meeting would serve as a veritable platform to pool knowledge, experiences, and expertise and to create solutions, articulate strategies, and extend the Agency’s services to all its stakeholders.

He emphasized that the engagement would constantly rethink its ideas, system, and processes. He maintained that the objectives of the program are; to offer stakeholders the opportunity to express their views and opinions on matters related to the Agency’s implementation of its mandate, establish a sustainable collaboration and consistent channel for feedback and exchange of ideas, and also share with the stakeholders the Agency’s vision, the regulatory instrument for national development and the Agency’s journey so far.

He assured the participants that the Agency is not oblivious of the fact that more still needs to be done and pledged the commitment of the Agency to make further progress with the stakeholders in the coming years.

The Gombe State Commissioner of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Aisha Umar Maigari in her goodwill remarks commended NITDA for the roles it is playing in ensuring that policies are also domesticated in states which she described as a better way to ensure uniformity in developing the ICT sector in the country.

She stated that the Stakeholders’ Engagement Program is coming at the right time when the state needs more collaboration from NITDA.

She said NITDA has helped them develop a very ambitious state ICT policy and the state has since commenced implementation of some of the initiatives in the document after it has carried out need assessment analysis.

She said the present administration has ensured that civil servants in the state are using dot ng for government businesses adding that the state is building the capacity of the staff also in the area of basic computer operation for its staff and promoting digital literacy in the state especially among the underserved and unserved indigene of the state.

She added that COVID-19 has also made them train over 60 persons in the area of digital and online marketing.

She added that most of the government processes have been digitized especially in the area of internally generated revenue to the government.

Participants at the event shared their observations on how they think NITDA could deepen its influence among the stakeholders, especially the rural populace.

Mallam Zakari Suleiman of the Computer Professional Council of Nigeria, CPN, was of the view that NITDA should constitute a monitoring team that would be inspecting all its interventions with a view of ascertaining there proper usage.

He said the Agency should ensure that the end-users are trained on how to properly take care of those interventions.