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Tag: NITDA

  • NITDA, Communications Ministry urgedto extend AfDB project across 774 LGAs

    NITDA, Communications Ministry urgedto extend AfDB project across 774 LGAs

    The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, have been admonished to extend the Code for Employment initiative of the African Development Bank (AfDB) to the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the country.

    Information Communication Technology (ICT) expert, Akindayo Akindolani, made the call yesterday during a two-day summit organised by Afritex in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja.

    Akindolani said since NITDA, for instance, has computer centres built in almost the 774 LGAs nationwide, the digital ambassadors trained by the AfDB, through partnerships with Microsoft and the McAnderson Institute of Technology (MIT), could support more unemployed youth at the grassroots areas.

    He said this move could help reduce the rising unemployment rate in the country, as the capacity building would prepare the beneficiaries for high-paying remote jobs in the digital space.

    Akindolani said: “NITDA can scale the project in all the 774 LGAs by empowering the Digital Ambassadors trained to continue the redeployment of the capacity building in their local governments.

    “I am confident that code for employment is capable of reducing unemployment once we expose our youth to the required skills for future jobs. Once our people are rightly skilled with the in-demand-driven skills, then getting a job placement within and outside Nigeria would be an easy thing.”

    Read Also: How to apply for NITDA’s 3MTT programme

    The AfDB’s Code for Employment program is a pilot project where 500 change makers, 45 percent of whom are women from four countries, were selected for the digital ambassadors program.

    The selected digital ambassadors embarked on a three-month course during which they were equipped with in-demand digital skills, such as software development.

    Also, soft skills, such as problem-solving, project management, and communication.

    The beneficiaries are subsequently allowed to partake in a peer-to-peer training model that seeks to expand digital skills to more African youth, especially in rural communities with limited internet connectivity.

    Akindolani said the code for the employment program is operational in Côte d’Ivoire with 75 participants, 100 beneficiaries from Kenya, about 150 from Nigeria, and 175 youth from Senegal.

  • NITDA’s role in fulfilling President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda*

    NITDA’s role in fulfilling President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda*

    • Mubarak Umar

    In the contemporary global system, the digital economy has emerged as a key driver of growth and development. Countries are harnessing technology to spur economic advancement, job creation, and innovation. Nigeria is making significant strides toward realising its digital future through President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and harnessing technology for socio-economic advancement. This transformation is being led Kashifu Inuwa, the Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

    In the last four years, Inuwa has been instrumental in driving NITDA’s mission of promoting the development and regulation of the information technology sector in Nigeria. As a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) with a deep understanding of technology and its socio-economic impacts, he has combined his expertise with commitment to innovation and brought his wealth of technical experience to the digital transformation journey.

    NITDA is shaping policies and frameworks that are conducive to the growth of the digital economy. The agency has worked tirelessly to foster a supportive ecosystem for technology startups and entrepreneurs, laying the foundation for innovation to thrive. Through partnerships with local and international organisations, NITDA has facilitated knowledge exchange, technology transfer, and investment opportunities, positioning Nigeria as a hub for digital innovation in Africa.

    NITDA’s multifaceted approach to advancing Nigeria’s digital economy revolves around its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2021-2024) namely Developmental Regulation; Digital Literacy and Skills; Digital Transformation; Digital Innovation & Entrepreneurship; Cybersecurity; Emerging Technologies and; Promotion of Indigenous Content.

    Read Also: Tinubu harps on national unity as NYG Opens in Asaba

    The agency has been instrumental in driving the expansion of digital infrastructure. Initiatives such as the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), Nigeria e-Government Interoperability Framework (Ne-GIF), Nigeria Government Enterprise Architecture (NGEA), Nigeria Startup Act, among others, to foster an ecosystem that prioritises digital inclusion, innovation, and data-driven governance.

    Furthermore, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programmes spearheaded by Inuwa have provided a platform for startups to flourish; offering grants, mentorship, and access to resources to nurture a culture of innovation, resulting in groundbreaking solutions that address local challenges and drive economic growth.

    To safeguard the nation’s digital assets, NITDA championed data privacy and cybersecurity through regulatory instruments like the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), which gave birth to the Nigeria Data Protection Commission. These efforts not only enhance trust in digital services but also attract foreign investments and partnerships.

    NITDA is empowering the Nigerian workforce with skills through capacity-building initiatives, extending its reach to civil servants, journalists, students, corps members, women, youths, and enabling individuals gain from the burgeoning digital economy. Inuwa unfolded the potential in farmers through the Federal Government initiative of National Adopted Village for Smart Agriculture (NAVSA), a project aimed at changing the face of the agricultural sector.

    Similarly, NITDA launched the National Adopted School for Smart Education (NASSE) to promote digital literacy and skills. While more than 500 students and 30 teachers at Junior Secondary School in Karshi benefited from the pilot scheme, thousands of artisans drawn from the 6 geo-political zones were trained on digital literacy and phone repair.

    In addition to making an effort in IT development as well as enhancing the capacity of the citizenry, hundreds of IT Hubs, IT Parks, and Community ICT Centres were established, furnished and equipped with world class facilities in many States. The agency, through its strategic relations with techpreneurs, supported start-ups, IT hubs and ecosystems builders through Nigeria ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship Vision (NIIEV).

    NITDA launched the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF) which set the stage for the review of curriculum from kindergarten to universities. NDLF also targets to achieve 95 per cent digital literacy by the year 2030 which aligns with the vision of President Tinubu to create over one million jobs for youths in the digital economy sector.

    NITDA has attained impressive feats in propelling the digital economy through showcasing Nigeria’s capabilities at significant events like the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) held in Dubai and Morocco, as well as the LEAP event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Numerous Nigerian startups have excelled in these events, securing prizes that empower them to become creators of jobs rather than job seekers.

    President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda will undoubtedly serve as the driving force towards Nigeria’s digital transformation across various sectors, with a keen focus on economic rejuvenation. Embracing the potential of the digital economy, Tinubu’s agenda aligns seamlessly with NITDA’s mission to harness technology for economic diversification, job creation, and improved public service delivery.

    At the heart of the President’s plan lies a comprehensive blueprint for rejuvenating the economy. This holistic vision encapsulates the aspirations of a nation that yearns for sustainable development and quality of life for all citizens. Central to this vision is the recognition that a thriving digital economy is instrumental in achieving these goals.

    President Tinubu believes that equitable access to technology is pivotal in bridging societal divides and creating opportunities. To this end, initiatives are being launched to provide digital literacy programmes in schools, training centers, and rural communities, with focus on nurturing digital entrepreneurship and innovation. The government is laying the foundation for a vibrant ecosystem of digital enterprises that will contribute to economic growth and job creation.

    The transformational power of technology is amplified when supported by robust digital infrastructure. President Tinubu’s vision emphasises investments in broadband connectivity, digital networks, and technology hubs across the nation. This infrastructure not only facilitates seamless digital transactions but also serves as the bedrock for e-governance, data analytics, and smart city initiatives. Nigeria is primed to capitalize on the Fourth Industrial Revolution and position itself as a regional tech hub.

    With President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Inuwa’s consolidation at NITDA, Nigeria will indeed prioritise digital innovation, infrastructure, and skills development to have a greater accomplishment, and emerge as a global digital powerhouse, driving socio-economic transformation and ensuring a brighter future for its citizens.

    Mubarak Umar writes from Abuja

  • WPRF: Recognition of NITDA’s Social Media Code in India

    WPRF: Recognition of NITDA’s Social Media Code in India

    By Abbas Badmus

    The World Public Relations Forum 2023 (WPRF), hosted by the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communications Management, takes place in Chennai, India. Global Alliance is the confederation of the world’s major PR and communication management associations and institutions, representing practitioners and academics, with a mission is to unify the PR profession, raise standards, share knowledge with its members and be the global voice for public relations.

    “World Public Relations Forum has been an open and diverse platform for public relations and communications practitioners from across the globe to meet, discuss, reflect and advance the profession,” said Justin Green, President & CEO of Global Alliance.

    The theme for the WPRF, “Building Goodwill for Greater Good”, provides high-value learning and networking opportunities for delegates from around the world in inspiring sessions. The event also features the World Public Relations & Communication Awards, a competition meant to celebrate the most outstanding national and international public relations and communication management programmes and case studies.

    Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is shortlisted as a finalist under the Ethics, Integrity & Compliance Category in recognition of its campaigns that demonstrate the highest levels of strategic planning, creativity and business results in the organisation’s relationship with its stakeholders.

    NITDA won the African SABRE PR award for the same campaign in Zambia and was shortlisted as a Finalist of the Golden World Award by the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) in Barcelona, Spain. The tech agency executed the campaign in collaboration with the multi-award-winning Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), the publishers of PRNigeria, Economic Confidential, Spokesperson’s Digest and Tech Digest.

    The regulator of information technology in Nigeria was recognised for using mainstream and social media platforms to counter criticisms and misconceptions after social critics and the public raised concerns that its “Draft Code Of Practice for Social Media and Online Platforms” was an attempt to gag the media and restrict freedom of press and expression.

    During Twitter’s suspension in Nigeria, Inuwa led the technical team which had a robust engagement which spurred global digital diplomacy and set a new template for the operation of big tech companies within and outside the country. The era of Nigeria holding the short end of the stick came to an end as the country negotiated from a position of strength and made Twitter abide by certain rules that were meant to protect national interest.

    Read Also: NITDA begins installation of digital centre in Kafanchan

    Using effective PR tools in providing concrete facts highlighting the benefits of the code, the stakeholders and the public, who were adequately enlightened, eventually welcomed the guidelines. Some of the gains of the campaign include a shift in the perspective of critics, increased stakeholders’ engagement, dousing of tension, activation of a crisis team and endorsements by stakeholders and tech giants.

    The campaign commenced in June 2022 after NITDA unveiled a Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries (online platforms) it developed in collaboration with relevant regulatory agencies and stakeholders. The code was aimed at protecting the fundamental human rights of Nigerians and non-Nigerians living in the country, as well as defining guidelines for interacting in the digital ecosystem in line with international best practices.

    The document was developed alongside the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), expert groups, with inputs from Interactive Computer Service Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Google, and TikTok. The results were duly incorporated into the Draft Code of Practice.

    The code sets out procedures to safeguard the security and welfare of Nigerians while interacting on these platforms. It aims to demand accountability from online platforms regarding unlawful and harmful content, and establish a robust framework for collaborative efforts to protect Nigerians against online harms such as hate speech, cyber-bullying, as well as disinformation and/or misinformation.

    This week’s WPRF 2023 will be held days after the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, met with M.M. Tripathi, the Director-General of India’s National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT). He also visited the headquarters of the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Nigeria.

    Inuwa, who represented the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, underscored the importance of leveraging India’s vast expertise in digital technologies to bolster Nigeria’s digital economy. The meetings, aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of the Indian digital economy and exploring avenues for knowledge sharing and collaboration, covered topics ranging from digital skills development to cyber security and innovation.

    Apart from the Social Media Code, the implementation of the 64 strategic initiatives of the Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP), which Inuwa launched a few years ago, has significantly contributed to the impact of ICT on the economy, making Nigeria the leading destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Africa and attracting about US$3.8 billion which constitutes about 35% of all FDI into African startups from 2019.

    NITDA’s TECH4COVID led to the retention of over 100,000 ICT jobs and 30,000 new jobs in the post-COVID-19 era, while the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) compliance drive created 7,680 jobs and a market valued at ₦1.2 billion. Also, the implementation of the National Adopted Village for Smart Agriculture (NAVSA) has engaged 900 farmers and created over 5,000 direct and indirect jobs. NAVSA targets 10 million farmers across the agricultural value chain by 2030.

    To promote emerging technologies in Nigeria, NITDA under Inuwa established the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) which has trained 1,250 youths on high-end cutting-edge technologies. The Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) was also created as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to incubate ideas and develop an enabling environment for startups to thrive. Through the ONDI, the agency supported over 200 startups with grants and seed funding.

    More than 100 startups were sponsored to attend the GITEX global event, LEAP Tech Conference, Intra-African Trade Fair, and several local events. In addition, they benefited from the capacity-building programmes of Bridge to MassChallenge (B2MC), iHatch Incubation, Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Support (TIES) and the North-East Start-up Training (NEST).

    NITDA has committed to the conduct of an IT Talent Gap Assessment among Nigeria’s youth population for tech talent acceleration and to position Nigeria as a global IT Talent Factory. In line with the FG’s initiative on social investment, the Agency launched the one (1) million software developer initiative and various multi-sectorial capacity-building programmes to promote digital literacy, where over one million Nigerians have so far been trained.

    Other NITDA achievements under Inuwa include the Design and implementation of IT Clearance for government MDAs which has cleared 866 projects from 336 Federal Public Institutions (FPIs), saving the government ₦305.96 billion from 2019 till date; the completion of ISO 27001:2013 Certification for NITDA (first government organisation to have attained such); the launch of the National Adopted School for Smart Education (NASSE) to promote digital literacy and skills.

    NITDA has changed the information technology landscape, evident in the numerous awards and nominations the DG has attracted to the country. It is expected that the agency championing Nigeria’s digital economy drive will continue to record remarkable achievements. From all indications, President Bola Tinubu’s plan to create one million digital jobs in the first two years of his administration is attainable. Nigeria hopes that borrowing from India’s playbook will help achieve this goal.

    Abbas Badmus, a Staff Writer with Tech Digest, writes from Abuja.

  • Arewa Economic Forum commends Tinubu for retaining NDIC, NITDA heads

    Arewa Economic Forum commends Tinubu for retaining NDIC, NITDA heads

    The Arewa Economic Forum (AEF) on Wednesday commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his decision to retain some of the best heads of agencies in the Finance and ICT sectors who are from the North.  

    At a briefing in Abuja, the chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Dandakata, hailed the President for retaining Bello Hassan of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and Kashifu Inuwa of the National Informational Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

    The Chairman highlighted the importance of recognising and appointing competent and experienced technocrats from the Northern region to lead critical sectors of the economy.

    The AEF urged President Tinubu to remain steadfast in his commitment to keep the best performers and also appoint more capable individuals from the North to head strategic agencies.

    Read Also: NADIR hails ministerial nominee Tunji-Ojo, decries attack on NITDA DG

    The NDIC led by Hassan has been recognised locally and globally for its diligent efforts in repositioning insurance practice in the country.

    Under his leadership, NDIC conducted a review of the maximum deposit insurance coverage, aligning with international standards set by the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI).

    The MacArthur Foundation’s acknowledgment of the corporation’s efficient service delivery further also underscores Hassan’s adept management.

    NITDA, under Inuwa, has also successfully deployed 601 digital infrastructural facilities nationwide including Digital Economy Centers, e-Learning facilities, and various IT hubs.

    The NITDA boss has also ensured that the Computer Emergency Response and Readiness Centre (CERRC) was upgraded to enhance cybersecurity and protect federal institutions from cyber threats.

    Inuwa’s leadership saw the deployment of the National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) for enhanced online security and the launch of Nigeria’s first digital Fabrication Laboratory (FabLab 1.0) to boost indigenous digital innovation.

  • NITDA eyes 300,000 new jobs with data regulations

    Blessing Olaifa, Abuja

    The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is targeting over 300,000 new jobs in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) with the launch of the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation 2019 (NDPR).

    According to NITDA, about 11 data administrators /processors have been licensed, while the applications of 16 others are being processed to ensure that the industry operate based on international best practices and standards.

    Its Director-General, Malam Inuwa Abdullahi, who spoke at a one-day Masterclass on Nigerian Data Protection Regulation for media executives at Top Ranks Hotel Annex, Abuja said data had become big business across the world and there is the need to regulate the industry for security, growth and development of the country.

    Represented by the Director e-governance, Dr Vincent Olatunji, he said NITDA is currently creating awareness on NDPR so that global bodies can do ICT-related businesses in Nigeria without fear. He stressed that the regulations would attract more foreign investments into the country.

    He said NITDA is taking proactive steps in its regulatory activities because in the next 10 years, data business and revenues will surpass oil business and revenues as no industry would operate without the use of data.

    The NITDA chief said in a related development that the agency had in past few years issued different regulatory instruments to address the multi-facetted challenges in the industry.

    Abdullahi who spoke at the Public Sector Consumer Protection Forum in Abuja noted that the forum was to allow stakeholders make contributions to draft document to facilitate successful implementation.

    He said: “The aim of this forum is to present the Framework for Information Technology Service Level Agreement (SLA) for MDAs and a platform where public sector consumers and service providers share their challenges and recommend solutions for information technology service delivery.

    ” The SLA framework draft document before our esteemed stakeholders is for your contributions and to seek your support for joint and successful implementation.

    “Prior to 2016, the Agency did not have any instrument that stipulates a clear process for issuance of regulatory instruments. A Rulemaking Process Regulation was therefore issued on January 25, 2019.

    “The rule making process is a subsidiary legislation that provides clear procedure for issuance of the Agency’s regulatory instruments. It involves analytical and critical thinking approach that we are sure if followed will give the country stakeholders’ friendly, developmental and implementable ICT regulations.”

  • I’ll transform NITDA into a smart organisation – DG, Abdullahi

    The newly appointed Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi has stated his vision is to completely transform the agency into a smart organisation.

    Abdullahi spoke during the staff general meeting at the agency’s corporate headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.

    The new DG, while admonishing staff of the organisation to sit up and deliver on their official responsibilities, further stressed that he was a result oriented individual, who would not accept complaints and had an open-door to progressive ideas.

    Read Also: Firm hails Abdullahi’s appointment as NITDA DG

    “My vision for NITDA is to completely transform the agency into a ‘smart organisation.

    “Working as a team, everyone has a role to play, from those at the top to those at the bottom of the ladder,” the NITDA boss said.

    Abduallahi, a graduate of Computer Science from the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi and a trained strategist with 15 years of experience in IT operations, business transformation and solution architecture across private and public sectors, was recently appointed the fifth director-general/CEO of the IT agency by President Muhammadu Buhari.

  • FMBN to assist NITDA workers own houses

    Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) has expressed its willingness to assist the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) workers to own houses in Abuja and environs.

    FMBN Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) Ahmed Dangiwa gave the assurance when  NITDA Director-General (DG), Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, and some officers of the agency paid a courtesy call on the bank in Abuja.

    This was in response to a request by the NITDA chief on the FMBN to support the agency’s staff members  to get housing loans.

    He said part of the bank’s focus was to strengthen  the partnership with its stakeholders.

    He said the bank deals many  stakeholders, such as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) to deliver over 100 houses in every state.

    He, therefore, urged NITDA to, also, avail itself of the bank’s mortgage products.

    “We will designate a desk officer who will liaise with your organisation to further guide you on how to access these products and services,” Dangiwa said.

    He expressed FMBN’s gratitude to the agency for  granting the bank certification for the procurement and deployment of its core banking application, saying it would consolidate the bank’s effort in its automation.

    Earlier, Pantami said the agency’s mission to the bank was to improve relationship between the two institutions.

    He said: “I know if you want your staff to do well, you have to take care of them.”

    Pantami said NITDA was established to implement the national IT policy and serve as a clearing house for all government institutions, set up a committee to look into how its staff could get affordable accommodation in Abuja.

    He explained that housing was one of the main challenges of staff members of the agency, which he wanted FMBN to help solve.

  • ‘Smart city critical for growth’

    National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Director-General, Dr Isa Pantami, said  Nigeria as the largest economy in Africa cannot afford to be left behind in the adoption of the Smart City initiative for economic transformation.

    According to him, African governments, especially Nigeria as a regional leader, would need to do something about the new economy and its policy challenges in preparing for the disruption and pressure it brings to societies  in jobs and economic opportunities.

    He spoke in Abuja during the presentation of the Draft Nigeria Smart Initiatives Policy Framework, (NSIPF), stressing the need to key into the Smart City Initiative to address the country’s socio-economic challenges such as insecurity, unemployment, terrorism and kidnapping, corruption, governance and democracy.

    He said economic diversification, inefficient resource management, environmental and societal sustainability as well as climate change are other areas the Smart Initiatives would uplift the standard of living of the people.

    He regretted that Africa does not have a strong foothold for now on the drive for Smart Cities at “a time the world is moving into internet economy, a hyper-connected world where data is most valuable asset”.

    “This poses a significant threat to oil-based economy like Nigeria and other economies that depend largely on natural resources.

    “The new digital economy fueled by technology innovation with advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) Internet of Things, (IoTs) and Internet of Everything (IoE) promises to leave no sector untouched but only those who adapt very quickly to technological changes will derive the benefits that come with it,” Pantami said.

  • NITDA: IT adoption rate by govt institutions dismal

    The Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr Ibrahim Pantami, has decried the low adoption of Information Technology (IT) platforms by government institutions to deliver services to the end users.

    According to Pantami, only 4.7 per cent of Federal Government institutions out of 106 ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) adopt IT to deliver services despite that ICT contributes 13.63 per cent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    The NITDA chief spoke during the presentation of the draft Nigerian Government Enterprise Architecture (NGEA) to stakeholders in Abuja.

    Represented by Dr Vincent Olatunji, a Director in NITDA, Pantami said the NGEA is a framework for long-term IT strategy and plan as well as a roadmap for achieving Whole of Government and Government Digital Transformation for the development of the economy.

    “An enterprise architecture provides for an integrated and long-term view of the election strategic goals, structure, people, finance, data/information, business processes and services and their relationship with information technology and the external environment with the aim of deriving maximum benefits from the use and adoption of IT,” he said.

    Pantami said despite the low-level adoption of IT by government institutions, the country has made significant progress in ICT adoption which are evident in the Treasury Single Account (TSA), Integrated Personal Payroll Information System (IPPIS), Government Information Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), Bank Verification Number (BVN), e-Taxation, e-passport, e-Wallet for farmers, business registration, among others.

    He said it had, therefore, become necessary for public institutions to “form a big and critical enterprise that must be managed efficiently to ensure its resources, including IT are maximised to create value for stakeholders given the prevailing political, legal and managerial/administrative context.

    “This document provides a platform where government services can be accessed from one source that is to have one whole government where everything you need from government can be gotten from one source according to global standards.

    “The advantage of it is that it cuts down wastage, duplication of duties and gives value for money, quality and effective services delivery. Therefore, ICT is everybody’s business. This Enterprise Architecture will provide and strengthen ICT to drive government business.”

  • NITDA establishes 8 world class IT hubs for job creation

    The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on Thursday said plans to establish additional eight Information Technology (IT) hubs to reduce unemployment in the country was on completion stage.

    Dr Isa Pantami, the Director- General of the agency said this at a news conference on the forthcoming e-Nigeria conference and the achievements of the agency in the past two years in Abuja.

    “NITDA is the process of establishing eight world class IT hubs in Nigeria in the six geo-political zones in the country with one each situated in Lagos and Abuja.

    “The IT hubs are to ensure that digital jobs are created.

    “We also provide seed funds for start-ups and support them by taking them to world class innovation exhibitions,” he said.

    Pantami said that the IT hubs establishment started in 2006, adding that hubs in Lagos, Calabar, Katsina, Oyo, Gombe states were already operational, while other states were still in progress.

    According to him, the agency will establish IT hubs in every state of the country and is upgrading already existing ones to meet with the trends in ICT.

    The D-G said that through the IT clearance policy of the agency, the Federal Government had saved N13 billion over two years and had ensured the alignment of IT projects in MDAs.

    Pantami said that the agency’s digital inclusion programme had created 86 digital capacity building centres, 80 digital job creation centres, eight virtual libraries with e- learning facilities in some tertiary institutions of the country.

    He said that the agency over the past two years had focused on seven pillars, which were IT regulation, cyber security, digital capacity building, government digital services, local content development, digital job creations and digital inclusion.

    According to him, creating digital jobs which is leveraging on Information Communication Technology (ICT) is part of the economic diversification strategy of the Federal Government.

    On ensuring cyber security, Pantami said the agency was piloting awareness programmes in the country to sensitise citizens on the dynamics and dangers of cyber attacks.

    He said that the novel achievement of the agency was bringing sanity in the awarding of IT projects among Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government.