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Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has tasked the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on reinforcing its IT project clearance processes and creating more awareness as well enforcement in respect of Nigerian Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
“So far on IT project clearance, it has been commendable but we need to improve on surveillance so we can fight corruption by reducing the price of IT projects being executed by the federal public institutions,” the minister charged the agency while unveiling the new NITDA’s Strategic Road Map and Action Plan (SRAP) 2021 -2024 as part of activities to mark the 20th anniversary ceremony of the NITDA with the theme: “Celebrating Growth and Resilience.”
According to the Director General of NITDA, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, IT clearance is one of the major achievements of the NITDA notably from 2016.
Hs words: “The enforcement of the IT clearance process of NITDA started in December 2016. In addition to the value addition to IT project delivery, the IT clearance has saved over 22.45 billion naira for the federal government.”
“We also need to improve on Nigerian Data Protection Regulation. This is an area we need to create more awareness,” Pantami added.
He expressed satisfaction on how NITDA has provided the requisite support for industry adoption of the NDPR, noting that the intent of Nigeria’s digital economy policy is empowering of Nigerians in a way that ensures global competitiveness in new industries as fostered by the NDPR.
He said the NDPR is part of the implementation of National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) which has eight pillars – Developmental Regulation; Digital Literacy & Skills; Solid Infrastructure; Service Infrastructure; Digital Services Development & Promotion; Soft Infrastructure; Digital Society & Emerging Technologies; and Indigenous Content Development & Adoption.
Mallam Abdullahi said with the release of the NDPR in 2019, NITDA has created a new industry, stimulated new business models, and empowered thousands of Nigerians through capacity building and skills development.
About 104 Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs) have been licensed and “they have helped to create over 2,686 new jobs roles in the industry, developed a new data protection sector valued at around 2.2 billion naira,” the NITDA boss added.
