Revamped core tech courses have recently been introduced by the National Universities Commission (NUC) into the curriculum of Universities in Nigeria. The acting Executive Secretary of the commission, Dr. Chris Maiyaki, affirmed this new introduction, which is to be effective by September 2023, at a recent stakeholder meeting. He spoke on the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), the new courses, consisting of 70 percent of the curriculum, and 30 percent determined by the institutions. He stated that the implementation will be of great value in structuring the education sector’s future.
Software Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, Information and Communication Technology, Cybersecurity and Data Science are some of the newly introduced courses in Nigerian institutions by the National Universities Commission (NUC). The introduction of tech courses into the curriculum of Nigerian universities aid the exploration of global technology in their courses. There are reasons behind the introduction of technology-related courses such as Software Engineering, Information Systems, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) by the Federal Government in Nigerian Universities.
Highly skilled labour force is needed to meet demands of various sectors.
The introduction of technology-related programs through the National Universities Commission (NUC) have several purposes. The first significant reason is the fast-growing technological advancement which has established rising demands for experts with professionalism in software engineering, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), data science and cybersecurity. These are significant fields that address contemporary opportunities and challenges in the digital age. Industry demand is another reason. There is a wide expansion of the information technology industry which requires highly skilled labour force to ensure that the demands of various sectors are met.
Demands from the government, telecommunications, healthcare and finance sectors will be met by this workforce. The new curriculum and industry needs are in alignment. Economic growth is another reason for the need of technology-related disciplines. They will drive economic growth through the development of technology-based startups, entrepreneurship and innovation. Resultantly, it will enhance economic development and creation of job opportunities. Global competitiveness is another reason for the introduction of new disciplines, to ensure competitiveness in the global economy.
These programs will address security challenges.
University graduates from Nigerian institutions, who are globally competitive through the technology programs, can add value to the nation’s presence in the global technology landscape. Cybersecurity concerns is another significant reason as there is a rising need for cybersecurity experts to protect private data, government systems and critical infrastructure due to the rise in cyber attacks and threats. These programs will address these security difficulties. Data-Driven decision-making is an additional reason for the initiation of the programs. Data science and analytics are crucial in ensuring informed decisions for organizations.
It is also designed to empower students with the required skills to derive and analyze insights from large datasets. Also, ICT infrastructure development promotes countries in the aspect of technology. Nigeria is investing in information and communication technology infrastructure. Maintenance and growth of infrastructure can be supported by the development of a skilled workforce in ICT-related fields. Another reason for the technology-related disciplines is global knowledge exchange. Programs that are in line with international standards and trends can foster partnership between Nigerian universities and institutions around the world.
Nigerian graduates need skills to be successful in a tech-driven world.
Additionally, incorporation of technology into one’s life drives connections, knowledge, and efficiency, providing global opportunities which will develop different aspects of a person’s life. Hence, the introduction of the revised courses in Nigerian universities shows a recognition of the evolution of the technological landscape and the requirement to empower Nigerian graduates with the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in a technology-driven world, remain competitive on the global stage, promote cybersecurity and enhance economic growth.
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NUC: Website
