Posted by By Emeka Aginam on
THE Nigerian Information Technology professionals in America (NITPA) has called for massive training of Civil Servants in Information Communications Technology. ICT, skills as over N50 billion is lost annually in low productivity due to untrained labor force in the country.
THE Nigerian Information Technology professionals in America (NITPA) has called for massive training of Civil Servants in Information Communications Technology. ICT, skills as over N50 billion is lost annually in low productivity due to untrained labor force in the country.
The Association's President, Prof. Manny Aniebonam in a recent paper delivered at the Academy of Civil Service {ASCON} in Badagry noted that the implementation of a Civil Service Enhancement Program with ICT Capacity Building as the bedrock will not only increase the productivity in the labor force but will also prepare Nigeria for digital competitiveness.
In the seminar represented by over 25 Heads of Service, Aniebonam argued that it takes 10 civil servants in Nigeria { with lower ICT skills} to do the job of 1 civil servant in America (with updated ICT skills)
The IT expert who observed that Nigeria is 25 years behind developed countries in e-government, 10 years behind South Africa, and 3 years behind Ghana noted that capacity building with human resource development is a national imperative for all Heads of Service.
He was of the opinion that the most appropriate means of sustainable solution to this readiness problem is Public Private Partnership -PPP, approach.
"There is a big gap in ICT skills between the average Nigerian workers and workers of comparable economies around the globe. This gap , at the rate of Nigeria's current ICT intervention, will continue to grow far beyond the present 15 years deficit,"he said.
According to him, Nigeria University graduates, many of whom end up at the civil service of the States and Federation, do not possess adequate computer skills needed for basic tasks, such as internet surfing, word processing, paper presentation, database management and speed-sheet application to office tasks.
The average civil servant, he said, would prefer to use a type-writer, have someone to assist or write reports by hand, than utilize basic word processing tools such as Microsoft word. "This is because such tools may not exist or where they exist seem to be very deficient,"he added.
AfriHub , as a private partnership which is already building state of the Art ICT parks at Universities and Polytechnics throughout Nigeria, each with its own backup power, robust C-band satellite connectivity to the internet, he said, is willing to work with the State Heads of Service to initiate a training program in fulfilment of the Nigerian e-government initiatives.
Before now, the immediate past President of Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN), Chris Uwaje who has been preaching capacity building in the country has raised alarm on the slow pace of IT policy document implementation, which he said, is the bedrock of any meaningful development in the Nigeria.
Uwaje, who is one of the most celebrated IT professionals of the time noted that the country will continue to lag behind in the economic development, unless adequate attention is paid to IT education.
"We may not continue like this when we have the resources. IT education is not a wish but a necessity. The country must embrace it in all levels. The civil service productive capacity will remain low unless the government begins immediately the implementation of a civil service enhancement program with ICT capacity building. It is a must,"the Apostle of IT education noted.