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Shittu, Comm. Minister Pledges to Partner NCS on IT Issues
Adebayo Shittu, minister of Communications, has avowed the present administration’s resolve to partner with the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) on information technology (IT) related matters.
Shittu made the promise while welcoming in his office NCS delegation led by Professor Adesola Aderounmu, the president.
Minister said he welcomes positive and impactful ideas that will bring development and growth to Nigeria through IT.
According to him, the President Muhammadu Buhari’s Government would makes Local Content issue his priority to generate employment and capacity building for the young people.
Shittu reiterated that he was ready to learn, to listen, and collaborate with NCS in all IT related issues.
Ealier, Professor Aderounmu said that in its over Thirty Six (36) years of existence, the Nigeria Computer Society has gotten the Federal Government to pass Act Number 49 of 1993 establishing Computer Professionals Registration Council (CPN) which regulates the profession and practice of information technology in Nigeria.
He recalled that NCS also worked with the Federal Government to establish the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) which formulates policies and develops IT initiatives and recently worked with the Federal Government in establishing the Ministry of Communications Technology.
He told the Minister that “The importance of the IT sector as an agent of change and development cannot be overemphasized. All over the world, IT is a major driver of the economy. Being the acknowledged professional authority in this sector, our aims are socio-economic growth, job creation, poverty reduction, and deepened diversification of the economy. Indeed technology holds significant promise as a major revenue earner.
“In developing this agenda, NCS is firmly committed to partnering with the FGN to build an inclusive, prosperous and digitally enabled nation. We recommend the identified issues high level and prominence on the agenda to leverage IT to achieve the goals of the Buhari administration.
IT For Socio-Economic Growth
“While the impact of technology is being felt more than ever before, there is still a need to fully ensure technology enables social and economic transformation that inclusively benefits all Nigerians”.
He said that effective and efficient exploitation of IT is essential for the future of the nation’s economic well being.
“In this regard, we recommend that priority be given to the use of registered local IT professionals and registered local IT companies to execute IT jobs. In particular such IT firms and professionals should be involved in Strategic IT projects.
“NCS additionally calls for a deliberate focus on youth innovation to generate massive employment for millions of our youth through riding on the startup boom in Nigeria. Incubation and accelerator centers similar to IDEA centers should be established to engender nationwide spread. Youth strengths and energies need to be utilized to meet present needs and also to prepare the nation on a sound footing for the emerging next generation.
“These measures will create jobs and expand the economy in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) subscribed to by Nigeria,” he said.
Professionalism In Governance
The NCS President also advocated that information technology should be used to improve all strategic facets of governance in Nigeria.
According to him, “In particular NCS is committed to the fight against corruption through technology and strongly recommends the use of innovative IT tools and solutions to frontally address the major concerns of bribery and corruption facing the nation.
Developing and deploying IT to facilitate transparency and accountability in government will build a globally respected nation whose citizens can hold up their heads anywhere in the world”.
He said that the Communication Technology Ministry along with other IT agencies in Nigeria possess the ability to resolve Nigeria job crises and further create wealth for the nation similar to the IT revolution going on in India.
“Hence there is the urgent need for the Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to: Consider the appointment of seasoned IT professionals (registered members of NCS and CPN) to head IT agencies in the country; appoint seasoned IT professionals on the boards of MDAs to maximize and deepen the benefits of electronic governance and digital transformation in Nigeria; direct BPP to amend the pre-qualification requirements for IT projects to include Evidence of registration with CPN and NCS in addition to the newly introduced pre-qualification requirements such as evidence of registration with PENCOM, and evidence of remittance of fund to ITF.
“Mandate MDAs to appoint IT professionals as directors of IT, direct all MDAs to establish IT career structure if not yet in place, implement the use of CPN registration as a condition to employ IT professional staff in MDAs to level 10 as approved and gazetted by the Federal Government of Nigeria (the Federal Government already implemented this condition for professionals in Engineering, Health, etc.).
“Mandate NCS in collaboration with NITDA to supervise all IT projects to be implemented in Nigeria.
Security
He added that, to fully pursue the administration’s goal of ensuring improved security for the nation and its citizens, NCS recommends that IT in Security be placed high on the agenda. Commitment in this regard will exemplify greater determination and focus to defeat Boko Haram and other security threats.
“NCS is committed to working with the FGN to root out vices such as kidnapping and neutralise the various forms of criminalities that threaten the social peace of Nigerians.
NCS concurs with President Mohammadu Buhari on the harmonization of the national database for Nigeria,” he said, among other issues NCS wants the Federal Government to look into.
Atte Ayodeji, a Nigerian computer scientist,has developed an artificial intelligence algorithm capable of detecting, counting, grouping and generating healthy hair follicles during hair transplant procedures, an innovation that earned him the Best Innovative Technology award.
Atte Ayodeji
Ayodeji also graduated with a Distinction in his Master of Science (MSc) in Computer Science from Birmingham City University on Friday, adding another milestone to an impressive academic year.
Beyond his award-winning hair transplant innovation, the Nigerian researcher developed a system and framework on Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) as a professional responsibility in the diagnosis of lung cancer.
His dissertation received a silver award at the PGXPO2026 Winter, further highlighting the impact of his research in applying artificial intelligence to healthcare.
Sunday Dare, special adviser on Media and Public Communication to President Tinubu, celebrated Ayodeji’s achievements in a post on X, recalling how he first met him in 2019 during his National Youth Service.
“In 2019 when I became a Minister of the Republic, I met a young man of medium height, genteel with penetrating eyes: Atte Ayodeji. His words rarely come out and he could easily be passed by unnoticed. But I noticed him especially when my SA Kemi Areola brought him to me asking my approval for him to do his Youth Service in my office. I approved. From then on he was unstoppable. His brilliance shown and he developed skills beyond his frame.”
Highlighting Ayodeji’s recent accomplishments, Dare congratulated him saying, “Congratulations Atte. I am proud of you!”
Mr. Joseph Tegbe, minister of Power, has said that the federal government plans to end power sector subsidies from 2027 and that there are no immediate plans for tariff increases.
Mr. Joseph Tegbe, minister of Power
The minister told journalists during the media interactive session at the weekend that the government has announced plans to phase out electricity subsidy payments from 2027 as part of efforts to address mounting liabilities in the power sector.
He explained that the planned removal forms part of the broader reforms aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of the electricity sector, while tackling the financial challenges confronting the industry.
According to the minister, despite the planned subsidy withdrawal, there are no immediate plans to increase electricity tariffs, reassuring consumers that the government is not considering a tariff hike in the short term.
Patience Okala, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office has urged African countries to stop exporting raw materials and instead focus on adding value to its natural resources if it is to fully harness the opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area.
She stated this on Thursday at the Streamsowers & Köhn 20th Anniversary Business Forum, where she stressed that value addition and beneficiation are essential to Africa’s industrialisation and long-term economic growth.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, she said the AfCFTA goes beyond the elimination of tariffs, serving as a framework for industrialisation, value addition, and job creation across the continent.
“AfCFTA is not only about tariffs; it is also about value addition. Africa has to stop exporting raw materials. We need to add value and ensure that beneficiation is done on the continent,” she said.
Okala also said Africa’s economic transformation would depend on the effective implementation of the AfCFTA rather than on the signing of trade agreements alone.
“We have moved beyond negotiations. The success of AfCFTA will be measured by the extent to which businesses can access new markets, trade seamlessly across borders, and benefit from the opportunities created by the agreement,” she said.
She noted that Nigeria had intensified efforts to implement the agreement under the leadership of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, including the development of simplified AfCFTA guides in six languages to help businesses understand and take advantage of opportunities under the trade pact.
Okala called for stronger collaboration among governments, regulators, and the private sector to eliminate barriers to trade and investment and build a truly integrated African market.
“As we move from policy to implementation, our collective responsibility is to ensure that the opportunities created by AfCFTA become practical realities for businesses, particularly MSMEs, women-owned enterprises, and young entrepreneurs across the continent,” she said.
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