Nigeria Develops 35 New Standards to Enhance ICT Education
The Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN) has collaborated with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to introduce 35 new National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) education. This initiative is designed to address the digital skills gap and shape the future of ICT education in Nigeria.
During a validation workshop in Abuja, CPN Registrar Muhammed Aliyu highlighted that the new standards align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Aliyu emphasized that the digital skills developed through these standards would foster entrepreneurship, job creation, and national development. He also noted that CPN has been granted the status of an awarding body by the NBTE for ICT-related skills under the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF).
Aliyu further explained that individuals trained under these new standards would be well-equipped to contribute to the local economy and engage in outsourced opportunities. He stressed that ICT is a rapidly evolving field, with innovations happening globally, making it essential to update the National Occupational Standards to reflect current trends in IT practices.
Prof. Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary of NBTE, represented by Dr. Musa Hatim Koko, praised CPN for spearheading this initiative. He also pointed out the growing need for experts in data protection and privacy, estimating that at least 500 professionals would be required in this area. Benjamin Prince, CPN’s Head of Business Development, emphasized the council’s openness to collaborations aimed at further developing Nigeria’s ICT sector.
