About CPN

Overview

About the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria

The Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN) was established by Decree No. 49 of 1993, promulgated on June 10 and gazetted on August 9 of that year.

The Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria is a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal. It is a legal entity charged with the control and supervision of the computing profession in the country.

Legal Foundation

Establishment: Decree No. 49 of 1993

Promulgated: June 10, 1993

Gazetted: August 9, 1993

Legal status: Body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal

Statutory Duties

Determine and improve the standards of knowledge and skills required for membership of the computing profession.

Establish and maintain a register of persons seeking registration to practise the computing profession, and publish the register from time to time.

Perform any other functions assigned to the Council by the Decree.

Council Responsibilities

Organising, controlling, and raising standards in computing

Organisation of computing practice in the country.

Control and supervision of the practice of computing in the country.

Screening individuals seeking to be registered as computer professionals.

Screening corporate bodies seeking to sell or use computing facilities or provide professional computing services in the country.

Ensuring high computing professional ethics and professionalism through standards, discipline, and related measures.

Determining academic standards in computing, including computer science, computer engineering, and information science.

Accreditation of institutions, courses, and programmes, and evaluation of certificates in computing.

Conducting professional examinations in computing in liaison with associations and bodies external to the Council.

Publicising the activities of the Council.

Publishing the register of Computer Professionals and other computing professional works, including journals, books, magazines, and newsletters.

Accreditation & Partnerships

Building quality, capacity, and recognition in computing

Accreditation of Computer Training Institutions

In line with the duty assigned through Decree 49 of 1993, the Council embarked on a programme of accreditation of Computer Training Institutions. Private and public institutions are visited to ensure quality control in the industry. Universities of Benin, Lagos, Ibadan, and the Federal University of Technology, Akure, as well as Covenant University, Ota, and Yaba College of Technology, have had their Computer Programmes accredited by the Council. Private computer training institutions were also visited in Lagos, Owerri, Jos, Abuja, and Kaduna. Institutions given full accreditation were published in newspapers to guide prospective students and their parents.

Partnerships and Policy Work

CPN and the Nigerian Computer Society developed an Information Technology Education Curriculum for Secondary Schools in Lagos State. The Federal Ministry of Education subsequently showed interest in the document and received it.
CPN partners with the Nigerian Information Technology Practitioners in America (NITPA) to bring an international dimension to Nigeria's information technology development. Exchanges, visits, and conference participation support experience-sharing and capacity building for young people.
CPN works with the Nigerian Information Technology Development Agency to support the comprehensive implementation of the Nigerian Information Technology policy and the use of technology as a source of foreign exchange for the nation.
CPN is working with the Federal Ministry of Establishment on a separate salary cadre for Information Technology professionals in the Civil Service, so that they receive appropriate professional recognition and remuneration alongside professions such as Accounting, Architecture, Law, and Pharmacy.

Why CPN Matters

Ensuring professional credibility and trust in computing services.

Protecting the public from unqualified or unethical practice.

Supporting quality education, professional development, and national digital transformation.

Helping Nigeria build a skilled, recognised, and globally competitive computing workforce.

The Council's Continuing Role

Protecting the public interest through professional standards and ethical computing practice.

Supporting quality education, accreditation, examinations, and professional development.

Working with government, education, industry, professional bodies, and international partners to strengthen Nigeria's computing ecosystem.