Hajiya Rakiya: The Predicament of ICT Guru at CBN

Hajiya Rakiya: The Predicament of ICT Guru at CBN
By Yushau A. Shuaib

Upon finishing the routine safety examine, we ascended to the spectacular Central Financial institution of Nigeria (CBN) advanced in Abuja. Led to a spacious but modest corridor the place an occasion was unfolding, we discovered seats beside a girl modestly wearing a Muslim Hijab. She greeted us warmly and invited us to sit down beside her. Her humility and heat instantly put us comfy.

We initially assumed she was a visitor or one other participant on the briefing. Nevertheless, as we mentioned the media business, she listened intently, nodding in settlement. When she lastly spoke, her insightful feedback on disruptive applied sciences and their impression on the communication business left us in awe. Her deep information spanned on-line streaming companies, digital occasions, and redefining viewers engagement by innovation, leaving us with a profound respect for her experience.

She elaborated on how blockchain, 5G networks, and synthetic intelligence facilitate safe, sooner connectivity and interactive experiences with enhanced royalty administration. Past aiding in content material technology and personalisation, she famous media manufacturing is changing into more and more democratised. Furthermore, she ‘schooled’ us on the most recent technological instruments for fact-checking, cybersecurity, and digital journalism—all and not using a hint of vanity or pomposity.

Because the occasion concluded, we supplied our printed enterprise playing cards. In response, she shared her digital enterprise card. Scanning the QR code revealed her identification: Hajia Rakiya Shuaibu Mohammed, the Director of Data Know-how on the Central Financial institution of Nigeria. This place speaks volumes about her experience and affect within the subject.

Curiosity drove me to seek for her profile upon leaving. What I uncovered was astounding. Regardless of not being a star tech skilled paraded on social media or tv, she is a rare IT specialist. Former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele described her as such, having promoted her from Head of Data Safety Administration after a rigorous choice course of.

In his remarks on the eNaira Hackathon Grand Finale in Abuja in 2022, Emefiele, the then CBN Governor, credited the success of Africa’s first central financial institution digital forex partly to Hajiya Rakiya. He admitted to underestimating her suitability for the Director of Data Know-how place, initially preferring a male candidate. He mentioned, “I have to single her out. When she was thought of for the director position, I initially doubted. I used to be considering.. I’m Sorry, women, please forgive me. I mentioned a girl IT Director. I went again and started to learn her CV. She is a First-Class pc science graduate, an excellent erudite girl from Northern Nigeria, and a chartered accountant. I mentioned you might not have a greater particular person as head of IT for Central Financial institution of Nigeria.”

Her educational {and professional} accolades are in depth. Rakiya was the Head Lady of the Federal Authorities Lady School, Bakori, and the Finest Graduating Pupil in 1982. She obtained a First-Class diploma in Pc Science from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa College in 1987, adopted by a Grasp’s diploma in Data Methods Engineering from the College of Manchester Institute of Science and Know-how (UMIST) in 1994. She has additionally attended government teaching programs at Harvard College and Oxford College.

Rakiya’s skilled journey spans over 25 years throughout the monetary, telecommunications, and know-how sectors. Earlier than her promotion to IT Director on the CBN, the place she spearheaded and applied the Trade Safety Operation Centre (NFICERT) and Africa’s first Digital Foreign money, Rakiya had headed the System Companies and Data Safety Administration (CISO) Division of the financial institution, the place she modernised the IT infrastructure and launched progressive options like video conferencing. She had developed and applied sturdy data safety methods, sustaining ISO 27001 certification and making certain zero main safety incidents.
Beforehand, she was Head of Technique and IT at Galaxy Spine Plc (2009-2011), CIO at Premium Pension Restricted (2005-2008), Deputy Basic Supervisor (IT) and CIO of NITEL (2003-2005), and Head of Department Banking Methods within the Northern Area of Continental Service provider Financial institution (1988-1995).

She holds quite a few certifications, together with Lean Course of Practitioner, Licensed IT Enterprise Supervisor, Licensed Chief Data Safety Officer (CCISO), Licensed Enterprise and Answer Architect, Licensed IT Governance Skilled (COBIT, CGEIT), Licensed Data Methods Auditor (CISA), Chartered Accountant (ICAN) and Honorary member of the Licensed Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

On Might 16, 2024, she made an impressive presentation to the CBN board on maximising the utility of present IT amenities. Nevertheless, every week later, regardless of her spectacular background, certifications, and contributions to the financial institution, Rakiya has develop into one of many victims of an inexplicable spate of officers retrenched by the present CBN Governor, Yemi Cardoso.

Here’s a lady who has contributed immensely by making certain elevated income, lowered prices, and improved safety in varied organisations she had labored for and will simply be retired attributable to political exigency.

It’s perplexing to know the rationale behind retrenching such extremely certified and integral personnel amongst a number of others in that financial institution, particularly contemplating the continuing appointments of exterior consultants. If retaining and selling one of the best throughout the service will not be prioritised, what justifies these replacements with outsiders?

Yushau A. Shuaib is the creator of “Award Profitable Disaster Communication Methods.” [email protected]