Experts Task Buhari on National IT Security

Stories by Emma Okonji As a new administration to be headed by Gen Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) takes over the nation’s affairs tomorrow, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) experts have called on him (Buhari), to give priority attention to national Information Technology (IT) security, as soon as he settles down for governance.

The call became necessary, following the high level of financial corruption and crime rate in the country, occasioned by the lack of adoption and implementation of the right technology that would have nipped the anomalies in the bud.

President, Information Technology System and Security Professionals (ITSSP), Mr. Rogba Adeoye, who is bitter about the ugly development in the country, told THISDAY that the major challenge with Nigeria and governance, was the absence of biometric identification of all Nigerians, irrespective of age. “This is one area that Nigeria has got it wrong,” Rogba said.

According to him, the incoming government must develop an Think-Tank of IT professionals that would assist the it in developing IT policies that will drive national development in the country.

Adeoye said the Buhari-led government must carryout biometrics identification on all Nigerians that would match their identities with their biometrics and in the process, develop a national database of all Nigerians, which must be coordinated by government. “If this is achieved, Nigeria will be able to identify perpetrators of criminal acts as soon as the crime is committed by matching their photos with their data, and that is how it is done in developed countries,” Adeoye said. He insisted that what make advanced countries of the world different from the rest of the world, is in their database. He said the database from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), is not ideal to fight crime in the country because it does not capture those below 18 years of age, whom he said, would soon grow above the age of 18 years. He called on the incoming government to develop IT infrastructure in the country that will address the insecurity situation of the country.

Former President of Nigeria Computer Society, Prof. Charles Uwadia, called on the Presidentelect and Governors-elect to adopt the process of electronic government (e-government), where most government activities will be automated and uploaded online. According to Uwadia, it would not only bring about transparency and ease in governance, but would also help government to cut cost and save money for the Nigerian economy.

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