A Critical Look at the Technological Lapses of Nigeria's IT Professional Bodies: The Irony of Inefficiency

In the modern digital era, one would expect Information Technology (IT) bodies, especially those responsible for the professional certification and regulation of the industry, to be exemplars of technological excellence. The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) and the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN) are the leading IT professional and licensing bodies in Nigeria. Unfortunately, their online systems and overall technological frameworks do not reflect the standards of a profession that should be at the cutting edge of innovation and efficiency.

The Irony: IT Professional Bodies Failing in Technology

It is troubling when IT regulatory bodies struggle with online systems riddled with inefficiencies. This begs the question: how can a body responsible for certifying IT professionals, guiding the industry, and pushing for technological development fail to get its own house in order? Does it mean these bodies lack the competence to recruit qualified and experienced developers to build efficient, user-friendly systems? Or is this a reflection of a deeper, systemic issue where contracts for critical technology services are awarded based on personal relationships, rather than merit and expertise?

This troubling reality presents a conundrum. While Nigeria is home to some of the brightest minds in IT, the very institutions meant to uplift and regulate the industry appear hamstrung by internal inefficiencies. It's a sad irony that institutions championing IT progress are still stuck with archaic systems that are anything but progressive.

The Systemic Challenge: Nepotism or Incompetence?

The inefficiency of these systems can sometimes be attributed to a typical Nigerian phenomenon: contracts are often awarded to family members, friends, or those with political connections, rather than to the most qualified professionals. This malpractice has profound implications. When unqualified developers or vendors are tasked with creating or maintaining critical systems, the results are often substandard, leading to recurring glitches, user frustration, and an overall erosion of trust in the institution.

Given the stature of the NCS and CPN as national bodies responsible for setting and upholding IT standards, this problem is not just a technological failing, but a reputational one as well. It suggests a misalignment between their mission of driving technological advancement and their actual practices in developing and managing technology solutions.

The Illusion of Regulation: IT as an Unregulated Profession

One of the most glaring contradictions within the Nigerian IT space is the issue of professional regulation. While bodies like the CPN and NCS restrict who can call themselves "chartered" or "registered" IT professionals, IT is not a regulated profession in the same sense that law, medicine, or engineering is. Anyone with an interest in technology and enough self-taught knowledge can practice IT in Nigeria, whether they are building software, offering tech consultancy, or developing solutions.

This lack of regulation creates a disparity: IT professionals are discouraged from using the term "Chartered IT Professional" unless registered with these bodies, yet anyone is free to practice IT without a formal license or certification. So, what exactly are the NCS and CPN regulating? If the barrier to entry in IT is so low, does it make sense to restrict the use of professional titles while leaving the broader industry unregulated? The disconnect between professional titles and actual regulation seems to create more confusion than clarity.

The Question of Licensing and Restriction

Another issue is the process of issuing licenses and restricting IT professionals from calling themselves Chartered IT Professionals without CPN registration. The licensing process itself is fraught with inefficiencies, further complicated by the disorganized systems used by the NCS and CPN. Many IT professionals have expressed frustration at the cumbersome and outdated procedures required to obtain certification, which seems counterproductive in a field as fast-paced and innovative as IT.

The license issued by the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN) is like a golden ticket for doing IT projects for the Nigerian government—but with one big catch: it’s more Willy Wonka than Steve Jobs. Sure, you’ve got a shiny piece of paper - the license, but whether you know your way around a line of code or think “Python” is just a snake is anyone’s guess. Why? Because, in many cases, all it takes to get this prized license is a little cash and the right connections. Experience in IT? Optional, apparently.

Yet, somehow, this CPN license has become the ultimate “proof” that an individual or company is qualified to tackle government IT projects. It’s like handing someone a chef’s hat and assuming they can cook a five-star meal. Spoiler alert: they might just burn the kitchen down.

The real issue here is that the CPN license, on its own, isn’t a true measure of skill or expertise. It’s an illusion, like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat—impressive at first glance, but the trick behind it? Not so much. And in the high-stakes world of government IT projects, that’s a problem. When a piece of paper becomes the sole gatekeeper to multi-million-dollar tech contracts, the risk of hiring someone who barely knows how to reboot a computer is all too real.

In short, relying on the CPN license to determine IT competence is like expecting a participation trophy to win you an Olympic gold—it’s just not enough!

Moreover, the artificial restriction on professional titles seems unnecessary, given that IT is a dynamic and unregulated field. Rather than focusing on title restrictions, these bodies would be better served by improving the quality of education, training, and certification they offer. They could also push for stronger industry regulation and standards that genuinely reflect the evolving nature of the profession.

Towards a New Model: Transparency, Efficiency, and Real Regulation

The time has come for Nigeria’s IT professional bodies to reassess their roles and the systems they manage. The NCS and CPN must move beyond mere certification and licensing to genuinely embody the principles they advocate. This begins with addressing the inefficiencies in their systems. To do this, the bodies need to hire qualified developers and build robust technology infrastructure that aligns with global standards. Transparency in awarding contracts and managing internal processes is equally important to restore credibility.

Additionally, if IT in Nigeria is to be taken seriously as a profession, these bodies should advocate for true regulation. This means setting clear standards not just for who can call themselves a Chartered IT Professional but for the entire practice of IT in Nigeria. Regulation should go beyond titles and focus on ensuring that IT professionals are properly educated, skilled, and up-to-date with industry best practices.

Finally, Nigeria’s IT professional bodies must lead by example, not just in the certification of IT professionals, but in the application of technology itself. The current lapses in their systems are not just technical failures but a reflection of deeper issues within the institutions themselves. If these bodies wish to maintain relevance and foster the growth of the Nigerian IT sector, they must embrace transparency, technological excellence, and meaningful regulation.