Reps Urge CPN to Seek Private Partnerships, Reduce Reliance on Govt Funding

The House of Representatives Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education has urged the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN) to strengthen partnerships with public institutions and private organisations to reduce its reliance on government funding.

The committee’s chairman, Fuad Laguda, gave the advice on Wednesday during an oversight visit to the council’s headquarters in Abuja.

Laguda said limited funding could affect the council’s ability to carry out its regulatory responsibilities, urging its Registrar and Chief Executive, Adebayo Adegbiji, to explore legitimate alternative revenue sources.

“You have to go into more synergy and private partnerships. Depending solely on government funding will not be enough,” he said.

The committee acknowledged efforts by Adegbiji, who assumed office in December 2025, to promote international information technology standards and tackle unqualified practice in Nigeria’s information and communications technology sector.

Adegbiji told the lawmakers that a previous government policy had removed regulatory councils from the list of agencies eligible for government funding, creating financial difficulties for the council.

He said funding was restored through the 2026 Appropriation Act under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, improving the council’s capacity to perform its statutory functions and engage government institutions.

According to the registrar, the council has expanded its engagement with agencies including the Nigerian Communications Commission, National Information Technology Development Agency, Bureau of Public Procurement and National Board for Technical Education.

These partnerships have increased CPN’s involvement in technology-related programmes across public institutions, he said.

The committee directed the council to submit detailed records of its internally generated revenue, insurance coverage and other major expenditures for scrutiny.

Laguda assured the council that the committee would continue to monitor its activities through regular oversight visits.

Adegbiji also commended the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, for approving the development of 10 additional National Occupational Standards for information and communications technology under the National Skills Qualification Framework.

The standards are intended to expand opportunities for Nigerians to acquire recognised ICT skills.

The CPN regulates the training and practice of computer professionals in Nigeria, including setting professional standards and ensuring that practitioners meet registration requirements.

The committee’s recommendation comes as demand for digital skills and professional oversight grows, placing greater importance on sustainable funding, institutional collaboration and effective regulation of the country’s ICT sector.