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Computer Brains Club’ Drives IT Awareness for the Future – Onashoga

Published

11 years ago

November 30, 2015

Dr. Saidat Adebukola Onashoga (Mrs), chairperson, Ogun State Chapter of NCS

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Dr. Saidat Adebukola Onashoga (Mrs.), a Chartered IT Professional (CITP), is the chairman Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Ogun State Chapter. She holds N.C.E in Mathematics/Computer Ed. She later proceeded to University of Agriculture, Abeokuta to study Mathematical Sciences with an option in Computer Science. At the recent Applied Information Technology (AIT) Conference 2015 held in FUNAAB, Ogun State, she spoke to peter ugwu on the essence of igniting computer education (right from the kindergarten) for national development.

New IT Techniques
Currently, Big Data analytics is a new method that tells us gone were the days data are not easily harnessed. Software now exists and other data mining tools for harnessing data.
The interesting thing about BIG DATA is that you may not necessarily use all the data before reaching a conclusion, rather with software or data mining techniques, you can extract the data that concern your study or meant to aid your work.
Today, we are looking at Telemedicine; there are technologies that aid medical practitioners to make prompt responses to cases, evaluating cases and in making informed decisions about patients. If you are looking at e-Governance, there are mobile technologies that can combine several indices.
In fact, we ought to be developing m-Governance techniques by now, because of the vast ways Nigerians are accessing the tool. Greater percentage of the people access the internet using (smart) mobile phones, that is what pervasive computing entails.

Theme for Conference 2015
Well, if you are considering conference tagged as applied information technology, it isn’t that people do not have knowledge of how they can apply IT, but looking at the trend IT is headed now, we thought of considering the modifications and disruptions on the old IT techniques. The emphases are on current trends, methods and Insights of IT application.

Universities’ Role on Deepening Technology Development
Yes, in the recent past, the academic, especially public universities have been charged the responsibility of producing graduates who are capable of competing with their counterparts either in the private universities or those abroad.
There are various ways to look at it. When an institution fails to align the undergraduates with the practical know-how, or shield them from tapping the technical competencies of the practitioners in the field, such cannot be ruled out, because the students will be missing a lot.
When there is an accord between the universities and the industry, such will widen the learning scope of the students.
There are differences between theoretical and applied computing. Applied computing knowledge should be gained from the professionals in the industry.
One thing we can do in this era is to integrate some professionals into the academic world, instead of allowing the students to base their orientation or knowledge on the theoretical aspects of computing. It is good to involve them.
The way we are going, it is good to involve the practitioners. The practical should not be limited to during project-writing or thesis, rather from the first day a student enrolls in school, he ought to start learning ‘hands-on’ computer.
For instance, in FUNAAB, the students’ industrial (training) attachment has been extended from three months to six months, to avail them the opportunity to get more knowledge of the industry.

IT Practitioners in Government Agencies
As a nation, we can’t rule out the importance of research. Research adds fresh impetus to whatever we are doing. Government may not be able to appreciate the importance of new trends in ICT unless they are expatiated on.
In the ‘80s, only the multinational corporations had access to certain tools, but developments have broken down the borders, bringing technology in the hands of even small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
For example, cloud computing has room for both large, medium and small enterprises. So, the best approach is to engage the academics to thinker on the templates for the tools through research and allow others who are practitioner to develop the output.
If we take our minds back, a company like Google was developed through research. The difference between our approach to technology and developed nations is just that the academia and the practitioners mingle.
The reason is that as the schools are researching, the results are forwarded to the industry for implementation. Government cannot shy away from involving the critical stakeholders in this regard, because technology is like a radio message which is transient; it waits for nobody.

Need to Review Educational Curriculum
There is definitely need for a review of so many things; the educational policy, the curriculum, among others. However, we are not waiting on the Government to do everything.
Recently, the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Ogun State Chapter launched a ‘Computer Brains Club’.
The large turnout of people on the day it was launched pointed to us the fact they have the urge to know about the computer and its usage. We have a plan to develop a curriculum that is a bit different from what the children learn in schools. It is our urge to see the limitation they have are eliminated.
The programme is targeted at pupils from Primary 3 up to senior secondary 3. Without ‘disruptions’ in our educational curriculum, we might not witness such ‘disruptive’ technological advancements acumen inculcated in our students. There should be a five year review of our curriculum and must accommodate opinions of professionals during the policy-making processes.

Areas in IT Needing Governments’ Attention
If I were to be asked the nexus between us and IT development, I will refer us to the grassroot fact: Education. To power the nation through the youths is only possible when we get the educational sector right.
Today, we see a three-year old operating an iPad. Such a child appreciates the seamless in flipping through the iPad. He might not understand the technology behind it. Now, how many of Nigerians-developed applications are in the iPad.
We tend to feel fulfilled when statistics are released on number of smartphones, tablets, computers or phablets imported into Nigeria each.
What is our gain, content-wise as regarding the technologies? We ought to have moved beyond where we are now in IT development. I believe so much in training and re-training, therefore, every government officials should be trained to be ICT compliance.
About 75% of our activities in NCS Ogun are geared towards training to encourage people to embrace IT. If the crop of government appointees believe in IT culture it would have been easier to get some things done.
They don’t really think technology should be relied on, rather their focus has been oil and gas, but we know the messy state of the oil and gas sector.
We have to encourage aggressive compliance to e-banking or e-commerce. In a country like America, it is taboo for one to use personal emails to government related emails, but in Nigeria a body like the Nigeria internet Registration Association (NiRA) has been advocating for .gov.ng domain names among government establishments and their officials. There are still others, yet to comply with, because they do not really understand the gains.

The Viable NCS Chapter
The pious leadership we witness in NCS Ogun State Chapter was borne out of passion among the executives.
The agenda we set at first have helped in directing our programmes and ideals. NCS Ogun, as an Association, is driven by the inspiration and programmes targeted at enhancing the nation’s technological development.
We cannot continue to play the second fiddle in the comity of IT nations; we must not be that dumping ground for all manner of IT gadgets, consuming everything and developing nothing.
When you are passionate about a course, even challenges cannot deter you. For example, if we are exposed to more funds, we can then embark on numerous programmes; but event sponsors are not forthcoming as it should.

Women in IT
It is important to enlighten our girls in schools: if someone wants to study computer science, you cannot run away from mathematics.
That is on one of the principal reasons the American Government is emphasizing ‘STEM’- Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
The best thing is for the parents to start encouraging their girls in learning mathematics from the cradles. IT is money, IT is life, IT is dollar, IT is whatever you need. Forget about the rigorous processes, rather focus on the end-gains.
IT is a profession with a future, so, ladies should not shy away or be discouraged from the industry which is relatively men’s world at the moment. Women are moving into it too.
The first Minister of Communication Technology was a woman, we have women CEOs in the ICT industry. We have women CIOs, engineers, and others who are doing us proud, we expect others to join the moving train.

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Anambra Govt Bans Graduation Ceremonies in Anambra Schools

Published

1 day ago

July 25, 2026

Ebere Melum-Nwogbo

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Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, governor, Anambra State, has approved an indefinite ban on graduation ceremonies in kindergarten, primary and secondary schools across the state as part of efforts to reduce the financial burden on parents.

Anambra Govt Bans Graduation Ceremonies in Anambra Schools

Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, governor, Anambra State,

The directive was confirmed by Dr. Law Mefor, commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, in a statement issued on Friday.

According to the commissioner, the government deemed it necessary to clarify the policy following public inquiries and concerns over the scope of the ban.

Mefor explained that the directive applies to all graduation-related ceremonies in both public and private schools across the state.

He said the ban covers events described as graduation, passing-out, crossover or any other ceremony organised to mark the completion of kindergarten, primary or secondary school levels.

The government said the decision was taken to discourage unnecessary financial obligations often imposed on parents through elaborate school celebrations.

The commissioner clarified that students completing Senior Secondary School (SS3) are exempt from the directive.

However, he stressed that graduation ceremonies for SS3 students are not compulsory and may only be held without imposing any financial burden on students or their parents.

According to him, schools choosing to organise such ceremonies must ensure that no levies, compulsory contributions or hidden charges are demanded from parents.

Mefor warned that the state government would not hesitate to sanction any school that violates the directive.

He said schools found organising prohibited graduation ceremonies or imposing illegal charges on parents risk severe penalties, including possible closure.

The commissioner urged school proprietors and administrators to comply fully with the directive in the interest of parents and the education sector.

The state government said the policy is part of broader efforts to make education more affordable and eliminate unnecessary expenses associated with school activities.

Many parents have previously complained about the increasing costs of graduation ceremonies, including compulsory levies for gowns, entertainment, souvenirs and other related expenses.

The government expressed optimism that the directive would ease the financial pressure on families while encouraging schools to focus more on academic excellence than ceremonial activities.

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Universities, Polytechnics Submit 169 Entries for NASENI Research Commercialisation Grants

Published

1 day ago

July 25, 2026

Ugo Onwuaso

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About 169 proposals from Nigerian institutions including universities, polytechnics, and research institutes spread across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones have entered for the NASENI Research Commercialization Grant Programme (NRCGP).

NASENI

The programme, an initiative of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), aimed at bridging the gap between research and industry, is designed to identify innovative research with strong commercial potential and support its transition from laboratories to the marketplace.

Speaking on the latest episode of the NASENI Window Podcast, recorded on yesterday at NASENI Studio, NASENI headquarters, Abuja, the Team Lead of the NRCGP and Deputy Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, Ms. Joy Elugbe, said the team received 169 proposals from eligible institutions across the country, including Universities, polytechnics and other research institutions.

Following the close of applications, and to ensure transparency and a rigorous selection process, NASENI engaged 21 professors with expertise across the Agency’s approved thematic areas to evaluate the originality and technical quality of the shortlisted proposals.

According to her, a rigorous preliminary screening reduced the number to 49 proposals after removing duplicate entries and submissions that failed to meet eligibility requirements while the Agency’s Innovation Hub assessed their commercial viability to determine their potential for market adoption.

“12 proposals, two from each geopolitical zone, have progressed to the due diligence stage before the final selection of six grant beneficiaries will be done. The objective is not simply to fund research but to invest in innovations that can successfully reach the market and deliver real impact,” Elugbe explained.

The NRCGP was conceived to address one of Nigeria’s longstanding innovation challenges which is the research breakthroughs that remain on the shelves due to inadequate funding.

She said the initiative, championed by the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, targets promising research proposals with the capacity to generate economic value, create jobs and contribute to Nigeria’s industrial development.

“The idea behind the programme is to identify innovative and commercially viable research outputs that have remained on the shelves because of lack of funding, and provide the support needed to transform them into products that can impact the economy,” she said.

Explaining the concept of commercialization, Elugbe described it as the process of transforming an invention, research outcome or service into a profitable product that meets market needs. The NRCGP aligns with NASENI’s strategic focus on Collaboration, Creation and Commercialization (3Cs), stressing that innovation only achieves its full value when it reaches end-users.

She disclosed that following the launch of the application portal, the Proposal Evaluation Team went on nationwide sensitization campaigns across the six geopolitical zones to educate prospective applicants on the programme requirements and application process.

The sensitization exercise, complemented by radio awareness campaigns, significantly improved participation and the quality of submissions.

She further revealed that NASENI’s support would extend beyond grant disbursement, noting that successful innovators would be linked with the Agency’s Innovation Hub for continuous technical guidance, market advisory services and commercialization support to ensure their products achieve sustainable market success.

The NASENI Research Commercialization Grant Programme was inaugurated in March 2025 to promote innovation, technological advancement and the commercialization of research outcomes in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

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NITRA Conference: Stakeholders Seek Policy Reforms, Grassroots Innovation to Bridge Nigeria’s Digital

Published

1 day ago

July 25, 2026

Ugo Onwuaso

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Stakeholders in Nigeria’s information and communications technology (ICT) sector have called for comprehensive policy reforms, stronger infrastructure investment and grassroots innovation to bridge the country’s digital divide and improve global competitiveness.

NITRA Conference

The stakeholders made the call on Thursday during the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) Innovative and Scientific Conference held at Citi Height Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

The conference, themed “Bridging Nigeria’s Digital Divide With Scientific Innovation,” brought together government agencies, technology experts, regulators, telecom operators, private sector players, academics and policymakers to examine strategies for accelerating digital inclusion through science and innovation.

A panel session titled “The Place of Policy and Infrastructure in Nigeria’s Quest for Global Competitiveness through Scientific Innovation: Roles of Different Stakeholders in Grassroots Mobilisation” examined the policy, infrastructure and human capital requirements for driving Nigeria’s digital transformation.

Panelists identified multiple taxation, high right-of-way (RoW) charges, inconsistent state government policies, poor electricity supply, inadequate digital infrastructure and limited grassroots innovation support as major impediments to expanding broadband access and improving Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global digital economy.

One of the speakers noted that transporting internet bandwidth from Lagos to Canada is cheaper than extending connectivity to some parts of Nigeria because of infrastructure bottlenecks and multiple charges imposed by sub-national governments.

According to the panelist, although some state governments claim to have abolished right-of-way charges, operators are still subjected to numerous levies under different names.

“When we talk about right-of-way limitation, it affects the cost of providing services in some states.

“Some states say right of way is free, but when they grant free right of way, they introduce development charges, education levies and infrastructure fees, making the so-called free right of way meaningless,” the panelist said.

The speaker called for harmonised national policies that would eliminate multiple taxation and reduce the cost of deploying telecommunications infrastructure across the country.

Another panelist representing telecommunications operators stressed that government policies should encourage fair competition rather than favour dominant market players.

According to the representative, improved collaboration between regulators and industry operators is necessary to ensure that policies support innovation, cybersecurity and sustainable sector growth.

Speaking on innovation development, a representative of a private sector innovation fund said Nigeria must begin identifying and nurturing innovators from an early age.

The representative said the organisation supports young innovators through essay competitions, grants and educational programmes aimed at exposing students to science, technology and entrepreneurship.

“We believe innovation begins from childhood.

“By helping children in primary and secondary schools think creatively, they become better positioned to seize opportunities as they grow.

“Innovators exist everywhere, including rural communities. What many of them need is exposure and opportunity,” the speaker said.

On cybersecurity, another panelist advocated greater investment in developing indigenous cybersecurity professionals through structured internship and mentorship programmes.

The panelist also suggested that young people involved in cybercrime should, where appropriate, be rehabilitated and equipped with legitimate digital skills rather than relying solely on imprisonment.

“Part of what we are known for is developing local talent.

“We recruit interns from schools and train them in cybersecurity.

“We should find ways to harness the abilities of young cyber offenders instead of simply sending them to prison,” the speaker said.

A representative from the computer society sector emphasised that Nigeria’s digital transformation should begin with reforms in basic education.

According to the representative, pupils should be introduced to coding, robotics, artificial intelligence and innovation at the primary school level.

“If Nigeria wants to become globally competitive, we must start from primary school.

“Our schools should not merely prepare students for examinations; they should become innovation clubs where children learn robotics, coding and problem-solving,” the panelist said.

The speaker also referenced the recent launch of an artificial intelligence university portal in Lagos designed to create a talent pipeline from primary education through tertiary institutions.

Addressing regulation, a media analyst cautioned against excessive government control that could discourage technological innovation.

According to the analyst, regulatory frameworks should emerge through stakeholder engagement and strike a balance between consumer protection and innovation.

“Regulation must come with dialogue.

“If regulation becomes excessive, it will stifle innovation.

“As Nigeria develops policies on artificial intelligence, there is a need to strike the right balance,” the analyst said.

On infrastructure protection, another panelist called for stronger public awareness campaigns to discourage vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure.

The speaker said community ownership and public education are essential to safeguarding digital infrastructure.

“When telecommunications infrastructure is vandalised, everyone suffers, including regulators, operators and consumers.

“People need to understand that protecting infrastructure benefits the entire society,” the panelist said.

Participants also highlighted the affordability of digital services as a major challenge to digital inclusion.

One speaker urged the Federal Government to consider subsidy mechanisms that could reduce the cost of internet-enabled devices.

“Telecommunications companies are businesses, not charity organisations.

“If government introduces subsidy policies similar to what has been done in other sectors, device prices can become more affordable,” the speaker said.

Another panelist stressed that reliable electricity remains fundamental to Nigeria’s digital competitiveness.

“The child who enjoys uninterrupted electricity and internet access cannot be compared with one who has gone months without power.

“For Nigeria to compete globally, every child should have reliable electricity, internet access and opportunities to acquire digital skills,” the speaker added.

Earlier, NITRA Chairman, Mr Chike Onwuegbuchi, said the conference was organised to provide a platform for stakeholders to examine policy options capable of strengthening scientific innovation and promoting grassroots technological development.

He noted that the Federal Government had demonstrated increasing commitment to building an innovation-driven economy through various strategic initiatives.

Founded in 2013, NITRA is the umbrella body of journalists covering Nigeria’s information and communications technology sector.

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