The annual CPN Information Technology Professionals’ Assembly is a yearly gathering of Information Technology practitioners in Nigeria and Diaspora with the objective of discussing and strategizing on emerging issues in Information Technology and generates recommendations and decisions that imparts positively on the industry and the nation.

The year 2020 IT Professionals’ Assembly ought to have held between 15^th – 16^thApril, 2020 in Abuja, but for the outbreak and persistence of COVID-19. It therefore became imperative that the 2020 IT Professionals’ Assembly be held online in line with present realities and dictates, especially the social distancing protocols.

This year’s IT Professionals’ Assembly which was the fourteenth edition had as its theme, “Adoption Of 5G in Nigeria: The Technological and Regulatory Challenges.” The Keynote Address was delivered by Engr. Deus Uche Osuji, General Manager, Network Services at MTN Nigeria.

As was the practice with past editions of the Assembly, the 2020 Virtual IT Professionals’ Assembly was preceded by the induction of Five Hundred and Fifty (550) members into the profession where Dr. Akin Fapohunda, spoke to the inductees on “The significance of Professionalism, IT Ethics & Codes of Professional Practice. The Induction programme was anchored by a member of the PRCA, Mr. Rex Abitogun, while Dr (Mrs.) Ronke Bello, a member of the 2019-2021Council anchored the IT Professionals’ Assembly.

The 2020 Virtual IT professionals Assembly had dignitaries including the Honourable Minister of Communications & Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami in attendance. Goodwill Messages were delivered by the Honourable Minister of Education, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Arc (Dr) Sonny Echono. Dr Daudu represented the JAMB Registrar, while Mr. Chris Okeke delivered the Goodwill Message on behalf of Mr. Inuwa Kashifu Abdullahi, the DG- NITDA.  The President of Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Professor Sodiya and the Provost, College of Fellows, NCS were other dignitaries that delivered goodwill messages.

The event drew participants from 12 different countries, including, Nigeria, Australia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Greece, Malaysia, Mali, Netherlands, Norway, Russian Federation, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States of America.

Conclusion

The 2020 Virtual  IT Professionals’ Assembly bears further testimony to the resolve of Council to keep playing its constitutional role of setting computing standards in the country. It was a very successful event, going by the reviews and the commendations received from virtually all quarters.

The 2020 IT Professionals’ Assembly/AGM went down in history as the first to be held by any regulatory body in Nigeria.