The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), on Thursday, hosted major stakeholders in the Nigeria ICT world to celebrate its 20th anniversary in grand style.
At the event, NITDA, one of the most active agencies under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, opened entries for the 2021 Creative and Innovation Challenge in commemoration of this year’s World Creativity and Innovation Day.
The Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi considered its 20th anniversary critical because the agency had accomplished significant milestones in the last two decades of its establishment.
Abdullahi listed some of the major achievements of NITDA as: increasing internet penetration; touching the lives of more than 2.5 million Nigerians; recent bail out of the economy from recession and attraction of more foreign investments into the digital economy sector.
Speaking further, Dr Abdullahi mentioned among its successes, the creation of a new economic industry such as business process outsourcing, data protection and a robust software industry, among others
He posited that despite the multi-dimensional challenges confronting our country, NITDA has grown beyond the dreams of its founders.
According to him, ‘‘Twenty years is a significant milestone in the life of any institution. Some of the biggest companies in the world today were established in the last twenty years or less. Therefore, it is critical for NITDA to introspect its past and project into the future, set new targets, and improve for the better.
‘‘NITDA has grown beyond the dreams of its founders. NITDA was established to implement the Nigerian National IT Policy, which I can confidently say that we have delivered 100% with higher and deeper impacts on our economy. Now, we talk of resilience because NITDA sees digital technologies as a source of inspiration to reinvent and meet the digital age challenges in an increasingly dynamic and competitive world.
‘’We believe there is a silver lining for innovation to create prosperity for all. We have an excellent opportunity to leapfrog into the future through the 4th industrial revolution. We are blessed with the most prominent black diaspora, resilient and resourceful youths, solid and diverse culture, abundant natural resources etc.
‘‘The NITDA of the next decade is prepared to act as an institutional catalyst to actualize the long-held dream of every Nigerian, to build a Nation where peace, prosperity and justice shall reign.’’
…Initiates Strategic Roadmap Plan
He affirmed that the vision has been well articulated in the Nigeria Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) but added that the NDEPS needs strategic action by all relevant stakeholders to become a reality.
According to him, it was for this purpose that the agency initiated a Strategic Roadmap Plan and Action Plan (SRAP).
”This process was carried out in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, by identifying gaps and opportunities in Nigeria’s digital economy aspiration. Critical government policies and documents such as the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, National Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship policy, National Broadband Action Plan, Cybersecurity Policy, amongst others, were consulted to have strategy coherence.
‘‘This SRAP is built on seven pillars with their respective goals and objectives which are: Developmental Regulation, Digital Literacy and Skills, Digital Transformation, Digital Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Cyber Security, Emerging Technologies and Promotion of Indigenous Content.
‘‘The objectives of the Strategy are: to articulate a new strategy for NITDA in accordance with the current aspirations of the government, the realities of today and the demands of the future; to contribute its quota towards the implementation of NDEPS, especially within the framework of its mandate; and to implement programs that would facilitate the digital transformation of Nigeria.’’
NITDA also pledged its readiness to support the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to conduct free and credible elections in the 2023 general elections.
The DG said, though, NITDA has always shared advisory notes with INEC on how to strengthen security of its systems and the best practices, the agency is now more prepared to see the commission succeed in the forthcoming general elections.
‘‘NITDA’s mandate is for all Nigerians, including INEC, even though the commission has its own independence.
‘‘We always share advisory notes with INEC on how to strengthen its security systems and the best practices they can use to achieve that. We are ready to support them’’, said Abdullahi.
…Buhari-led administration succeeded in turning the fortune of NITDA around – Pantami
In his remarks, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami said the road map was developed based on the National Strategy for Digital Nigeria.
He noted that the present administration has succeeded in turning the fortune of NITDA around by enhancing the career structure of service for the staff after 14 years of its existence.
He challenged NITDA to achieve the Digital Nigeria Policy and also aspire higher beyond its present achievements to make the much desired difference in the economy.
...We are past IT policy stage, now in the stage of developing digital economy – Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola
The keynote speaker, Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola, who went down the memory lane of NITDA from inception, said the agency has had its own share of successes and challenged the management to pursue growth and resilience to attain greater heights.
‘‘We are past IT policy stage, now in the stage of developing digital economy. You must be more encompassing in your policy formation. NITDA operates at the heart of a fast-moving sector and it must endeavor to keep replicating itself, optimize and leverage on the private sector through special purpose vehicles and public private partnership.
‘‘The imperatives of using IT for education, creation of wealth, poverty eradication, job creation and global competitiveness can only be achieved if NITDA’s management earns the trust of colleagues, industries and the society, and it is important that all these aforementioned entities believe and have faith in NITDA’s management,’’ he said.
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