Telecom
CPN Applauds FG’s Approval of Computer Professional Cadres in Public Service
The Computer Professionals (Registration Council) of Nigeria (CPN) has applauded the Federal Government’s approval for the implementation of a ‘White paper on Scheme of Service for Computer Professional Cadre in the Public Service’.
CPN was established by Act No 49 of 1993. The Act was passed into law on 10th of June and gazetted on the 9th of August that year.
It is a regulatory body charged with the regulation, control and supervision of the computing profession and practice in Nigeria in line with Section 1 (2) of the Act, and is under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Education.
The President and Chairman-in-Council, Professor Charles Uwadia, hinted on the new development during CPN’s Annual General Meeting, as part of activities for this year’s IT Assembly, held in NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja.
Professor Charles Uwadia, President and Chairman-in-Council of CPN, delivering his Keynote address at the event.
Prof. Uwadia told the members that “the Federal Executive Council has finally approved the creation of Computer Engineer cadre in the Schemes of Service structured on SGL 08 – 17 for graduates”.
This is coming thirteen years after recommendations to that effect were made by the National Council on Establishments.
“Approval was also granted for the re- designation of the Data Processing Officer (Intermediate) and the Programmer / Analyst cadres as Programme Officer (SGL 06 – 14) and Programme / System Analyst cadres (SGL 08 – 17) respectively.
“The re-designation is with a view to aligning the nomenclatures with current global practices especially as regards job contents and definitions.
“We thank the Federal government for this laudable and landmark achievement, which will boost the morale of IT professionals in the public service, attract young and quality professionals into service, and act as a catalyst for the effective deployment of IT in the public service”, he said.
Earlier, the Council inducted 318 new members into the Profession. The President told the new entrants into the burgeoning world of Information Technology (IT), they must not take anything for granted regarding the knowledge of the profession.
“Act 49 of 1993, earlier referred to, makes it mandatory for all persons and organizations seeking to engage, or already engaged, in the sale and/or use of computing facilities, and in the provision of professional services in computing or related computing machinery in Nigeria, to be registered by the Council and licensed to carry out such activities.
“The Act makes it illegal to engage in computing and professional practice without satisfying the above condition -that is, registration and possession of a current valid license”.
The President further urged the new inductees to always display acts of professionalism while discharging their duties, stressing that the Council places high premium on ethical practices.
He said, “One of the hallmarks of professionalism, especially in Information Technology (IT), is training and retraining, given the high obsolescence of Information Technology and the need to be updated on regular basis, It is therefore your responsibility to keep yourselves abreast of current developments in the industry if you are to remain competent, relevant and competitive”.
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have ordered Deposit Money Banks and Mobile Network Operators to settle the long-standing N250bn USSD debt dispute before January 2, 2025.
The CBN and NCC also directed banks to pay the pre-Application Programming Interfaces (API) debt before July 2, 2025.
They also ordered that post-API debts be settled before December 31, 2024.
The directive was issued in a joint cirular titled, “2nd Joint Circular of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigerian Communications Commission on the Resolution of the USSD Debt Issue Between Deposit Money Banks and Mobile Network Operators.”
The circular dated December 20, 2024, was signed by Oladimeji Taiwo, acting director of the Payments System Management Department, CBN, and Chizua Whyte, head of Legal and Regulatory Services, NCC.
The regulators said, “In view of the foregoing, the CBN and the NCC hereby direct DMBs and MNOs as follows: 1. That 60 per cent of all pre-API invoices must be paid as full and final settlement.
“Payment plans (lump sum or installments) must be agreed upon between a concerned DMB and MNO by January 2, 2025. Installments must be based on equal monthly payments, with full payment due by July 2, 2025.
“DMBs must pay 85 per cent of all outstanding invoices issued after the implementation of APIs (i.e., February 2022) by December 31, 2024.
“Similarly, 85 per cent of future invoices must be liquidated within one month of service.”
According to the regulators, the transition to end-user billing will be activated only for DMBs and MNOs that comply with the payment conditions cobtained in the circular.
CBN and the NCC said they would provide further guidance on public enlightenment initiatives related to the transition.
The regulators also directed MNOs to implement the “10-seconds rule” for USSD invoicing.
This implies that any session lasting less than ten seconds will not be billable.
The regulators added, “Failure to comply with the terms outlined in this directive will attract necessary sanctions, ensuring that both DMBs and MNOs uphold their obligations.”
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled a draft regulatory framework aimed at addressing fraud, spam, and other challenges in the Application-to-Person messaging sector.
The telecom regulator made this announcement in a statement.
The proposed framework, which was introduced during a virtual Stakeholders’ Forum, is said to be a key step towards enhancing the sector’s integrity and ensuring a fair, transparent environment for all parties involved.
The draft framework, presented by Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman, NCC, who was represented by Chizua Whyte, NCC’s acting head of legal and regulatory services, seeks to regulate the A2P messaging space.
The A2P messaging, used for notifications such as bank alerts, promotional campaigns, and government updates, has become a vital communication tool in Nigeria.
However, the sector faces significant challenges, including consumer protection concerns, fraud, and data privacy issues, as well as an unequal distribution of value within the ecosystem.
“The international A2P messaging space in Nigeria faces gaps that have led to issues such as fraud, spam, and data privacy concerns. These challenges threaten the sustainable growth of this communication tool,” the NCC said.
The proposed framework aims to address these challenges by protecting consumers, promoting fair competition, and holding service providers accountable.
“This forum marks a pivotal step towards addressing these challenges. We are here to engage with all stakeholders—operators, aggregators, businesses, service providers, and consumers—to refine the framework and ensure it meets the needs of the entire ecosystem.”
The NCC stressed the importance of inclusivity and collaboration in creating an effective regulatory environment.
Airtel Africa, a provider of telecommunications and mobile money services, has announced the commencement of a second share buyback programme that will return up to $100m to shareholders.
The share buyback reflects the Board’s confidence in the Company’s continued growth potential, the strength of its balance sheet, and the consistent cash accretion at the holding company level.
Furthermore, the buyback remains in line with the Company’s existing capital allocation policy.
According to the company, the programme will be executed in accordance with applicable securities laws and regulations.
The share buy-back programme is expected to be phased over two tranches, with the first tranche commencing today and anticipated to end on or before 24 April 2025.
The first tranche will amount to a maximum of $50m.
The Company has entered into an agreement with Barclays Capital Securities Limited (Barclays) to conduct the first tranche of the buy-back and carry out on-market purchases of its ordinary shares with the Company subsequently purchasing its ordinary shares from Barclays.
Under this agreement, Barclays will act as riskless principal and will make decisions independently of the Company.
The sole purpose of the buy-back programme is to reduce the capital of the Company.
It noted that as such, all shares purchased under the buy-back programme will be cancelled.
In a statement signed by Simon O’Hara, group company secretary, the company noted that the share repurchase process will adhere to pre-set parameters agreed upon with Barclays Capital Securities Limited (Barclays), the executing partner for the first tranche of the buyback programme.
This partnership ensures that purchases are conducted transparently and in compliance with all regulatory requirements.
The buyback will be executed under the authority granted by shareholders during the Annual General Meeting held on July 3, 2024, which permits the repurchase of up to 374,141,187 ordinary shares.
Following the completion of a prior buyback programme, the remaining authority allows for the acquisition of up to 328,842,995 shares.
Additionally, Airtel Africa confirmed its commitment to adhering to the Financial Conduct Authority’s UK Listing Rules 9.6 and the provisions of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014, as incorporated into UK domestic law.
The company also clarified that share purchases may occur during closed periods, consistent with these regulations and the agreed parameters.
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