Computer professionals warn against Nigeria becoming a ‘digital colony’

Computer Professionals under the aegis of Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has charged the Federal Government on the need to improve the sector’s funding, stressing that lack of required investments can make the country to become a digital colony of other nations.

Besides, the body also warned that government need to ensure that national security should be well protected and handled by the Information Technology professionals in the country.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos ahead of the 2016 NCS national conference scheduled for Abuja from July 19 to 21, the president of the body, Prof. Sola Aderounmu, said that advancing national safety and security, innovation, inclusion and networking security were among the most critical issues in Nigeria.

While condemning the engagement of foreigners in handling Nigeria’s national security, he said that, NCS has always advocated that the use of IT in security needs to be improved through more widespread adoption of IT professionalism in the private and public sectors. NCS and its members can play a major role in improving the state of security nationwide, combating terrorism, enhancing public service delivery accountability and boosting job creation.

“The 26th national conference will provide a multi-stakeholder forum to examine pertinent considerations in achieving IT enabled security to advance and achieve sustainable development, engagement opportunities will be explored during the Conference to present and develop effective strategies, creative approaches and practical solutions”, he stated.

At the conference, that will focus on issues related to the theme and sub themes such as: National Database – Integral to National Security, IT and the national security strategy; universal broadband access – the security imperative, IT as an indispensable security tool, among others, he said that NCS organizes the conference yearly as the powerful voice advocating for government intervention, legislation, environmental and societal change that affects the IT sector and technology enabled activities.

In setting the digital agenda for the nation, Aderounmu said this would be developed during the conference to advance the IT profession and industry and build an inclusive and secured digital Nigeria.

Warning on the dangers of outsourcing the country’s national security, he informed that NCS was preparing for the best and has assembled an impressive line-up of leading researchers, entrepreneurs, educators, industry experts, thought leaders, international scholars, among others to o share their extensive knowledge and experience on “Information Technology for National Safety and Security” as the theme of the national conference.

“With the technology and innovation expertise, insights and thought leadership that will abound, NCS is certain that the outcomes will boost National Safety and Security in Nigeria. It will provide the best and most modern answers to Nigeria’s security challenges”, he explained.

Also speaking, Innovation and Development Advisor, ICT and the Chairman, Conferences committee, NCS, Jide Awe, said that national security is about protecting the nation’s interests, warning that it is dangerous and extreme vulnerability to keep the country’s vital interests, including the economy, military, cyberspace, borders, among others in the hands of external powers.