Mr. Sikiru Shehu, registrar, Computer Professionals (Registration Council of Nigeria) (CPN) has over a decade experience in the information technology industry.
Shehu has served as a fellow of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) and chartered member of the Information Technology professionals, an executive board member, Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA), and a member of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG). He spoke to chike onwuegbuchi on plans by the government agency to revolutionize IT education among others.

Supervising Computing Practice in the Country
It is true that there are computer companies and even individuals that are practicing   computing in Nigeria without registering with CPN. We all know that Information Technology is a profession that cuts across other professions. Therefore, it is a profession that makes substantial input into different disciplines and aspects of our life. Therefore, there is need for caution and awareness programme so that members of public will be able to differentiate between a computer user and a professional. This is necessary because we have find ourselves in a situation in which Information Technology practice is becoming an all comers affair.  Therefore, as a step towards solving the problem, the Council instituted an awareness generating programme that is known as IT Stakeholders forum. The programme is taking place in all the geo-political zones in Nigeria.  The thinking behind this programme is that we want to make sure that we educate the masses on the need for regulation of IT profession, CPN and its activities as well as professionalism in the IT industry. We have held the programme in South-West in Lagos, and South- East in Owerri as well as Abuja. We look forward to hold the programme in other geo-political zones. By the time enough awareness is provided. Then, we can now start applying force by bringing the full weight of the law to bear on recalcitrant people. That is why we still have some people practicing without registering with us. It is a temporary thing. It is not a situation that will continue like that.
 IT Training Institutes and Required Standard 
CPN is doing a lot on the issue of standard and quality control in Information Technology education. CPN, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education and with inputs from different stakeholders put together the National Information Technology Education Framework (NITEF) document. We have observed that Information Technology Education, particularly in the non-formal sub-sector, has been an all-comers’ affair, devoid of a coherent framework regarding the scope, content and quality.  As a result, there is a proliferation of computer training outfits in nooks and crannies in Nigeria, offering all sorts of certificates and programmes based on curricula that are undefined in philosophy, objectives and content for relevant skill acquisition. There is therefore a compelling need to design a specific framework for the structuring and regulation of the formal and non-formal educational institutions offering training in Information Technology in Nigeria in order to ensure global standard. This is what informed the development of the NITEF document.  The Forthcoming Information Technology Assembly
CPN  Information Technology Assembly is an annual event where Information Technology practitioners from the nooks and crannies of the country and abroad gather together to  rub minds and exchange ideas on topical issues that affect the profession and the nation’s quest for greatness in IT and draw a roadmap for the future. The event is an assemblage of senior Information Technology decision makers in the private and public sectors of the economy, Information Technology consultants, upcoming entrepreneurs, start-ups, IT Teachers, System Administrators etc. The assembly is also a platform to showcase some of the industry’s most innovative technologies as well as new products and services for participants to appreciate the emerging technologies, trends and risks that are associated with transforming the various industries using Information Technology.
NCS and CPN in IT Development
The Nigerian Computer Society (NCS) is an association of professionals that come together to work towards the growth of the profession and individual professional development through professional development programmes put in place for the benefit of members. However, we work hand in hand for the betterment of the industry and the profession. The structural arrangement in the industry is such that CPN is the apex regulatory body. The Nigeria Computer Society is a non-governmental organization while CPN is a government agency.  The activities of the society are being guided by its constitution as put together by members and other interest bodies.  The interest bodies group include: ITAN, ISPON, NIG etc. NCS and its interest groups have twelve representatives in the CPN Council which means that all the interest bodies are represented in the CPN Council. The point here is that CPN is different from NCS, but we work hand in hand.
CPN has made so much impact in the development of Information Technology in Nigeria. I will want to enumerate some of the impact we have made in the Information Technology profession in Nigeria.
We have put in place a Computer Professional Examination that will enable the products to become registered IT practitioners as we have in other professions like Accounting, Banking among others. Through the exam, the profession will no longer be seen as being elitist. Then, I mention the NITEF document earlier; it is part of our achievements.
The National Information Technology Education Framework (NITEF) is the first attempt to provide a roadmap for the development of IT education in Nigeria.  NITEF is targeted at ensuring that appropriate skills, competencies and attitudes are imparted to enable Nigeria take advantage of the global opportunities in Information Technology. Also, we have set up e-Learning and e-Campus platform to jump-start open and distance learning programme in Information Technology. This has made it possible for people to study from the comfort of their homes through the virtual school on our CPN online campus. Then, we try to ensure quality control and standards.
Additionally, we put in place an accreditation programme of formal and informal institutions offering computer studies. We have visited Universities to accredit their Computer Science programmes and we also signed an agreement of joint accreditation of Polytechnics and Monotechnics in Nigeria with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).  This is part of our statutory duty as spelt out in Paragraph 2(1A) of Act 49 of 1993. The signing of the MoU became important to cut out the issue of double accreditation and by extension duplication of resources by the two bodies, and much more importantly, so that standards would be consistently the same. Similar arrangements are being worked out with the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the National Council for Colleges of Education (NCCE).
CPN, in conjunction with National Education Research and Development Council (NERDC) developed the Computer Studies curriculum for Primary and Junior Secondary Schools. The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) is handling the distribution of the document to schools. Then, the Register of registered members of the profession is been published periodically to advise employers of labour in the public and private sector of the need to employ the services of qualified IT personnel. This is in addition to providing a Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct for registered members of the profession. This is done with the aim of promoting professionalism and good practice in the industry. Also, we have put in place Mandatory Continuing Development Programmes (MCPD) for registered members in order to enable them update their knowledge in IT. There are host of other things which time cannot allow me to mention.
Implementation of National ICT4D Action Plan
CPN is currently working with stakeholders in the Information Technology profession to make the dream of the nation as encapsulated in the national ICT for development programme a reality.  We are of the opinion that with innovative and dynamic IT policies, a country could leapfrog from being an IT consuming nation to an IT producing one. A good example is the Asian Tigers, Malaysia, Singapore, India etc who have recorded giant strides in Information Technology. Through proper policy direction on Information Technology, the aforementioned Asian countries were able to leapfrog from the status of a backward nation to that of the fastest developing economies in the world.  Our own story could be the same if we put our acts together. Therefore, we have a robust working relationship with Nitda.  Once there is proper understanding and harmony in the profession. We will be able to work with government to actualize the vision of implementing the contents of the ICT 4 development programme for better result.
University Curriculum Meeting Current Trends in the Industry
We all know that Information Technology is a very dynamic profession. In fact, it is the fastest developing profession in the world now. Therefore, there is need for proper update of knowledge and skills in order to keep abreast of new developments in the profession. CPN is conscious of the need to update the Computer Science curriculum in our higher institutions and some steps are being taken to address it.  That kind of project will require the assistance and incorporation of people from the  Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency (Nitda), National Universities Commission (NUC) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and it will definitely take sometime for the result to manifest.  In fact, CPN, Federal Ministry of Education (FME), Nitda and Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST) have embarked on a collaborative process to commence IT curricula review immediately, with all stakeholders inclusive.
About e-library of CPN
CPN in its desire to assist the people especially the youth in having access to study materials in the comfort of their homes set up e-Learning and e-Campus platform to jumpstart open and distance learning programme in Information Technology. This has made it possible for people to study from the comfort of their homes through the virtual school on our CPN online campus. Access to our e-campus could be got through the purchase of our e-transact pin from any Zenith Bank branch. The price of the e-transact pin is very affordable.
The Computer Professional Examination has different entry points for different categories of candidates depending on the candidates’ background. Candidates with less than five ordinary level credits have their entry points, from which they can gradually move up while those with five credits and higher qualifications also have their entry points. The examination was designed in such a way that candidates who want to exit from the examination at any stage or level, for whatever reason, can do so and still have a certificate for the skill and knowledge acquired. Every stage or level of the examination has a corresponding recognition approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria. Graduates of the examination are expected to be industry-ready and immediately employable, and will enjoy similar status and benefits like graduates of other professional bodies like Ican, CIBN, and Coren among others. Therefore, the examination is not elitist at all. It is open to all and sundry.