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A new policy framework to anchor innovation and digital inclusion in Nigeria has been launched by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
The “Nigeria Smart Initiative Policy Framework” (NSIPF) was officially presented to stakeholders in Abuja recently by the IT agency as a draft policy to open conversation and an all-stakeholders engagement on firming up NITDA’s plans to spur technology innovation and accelerate infusion of technology into public sector’s processes.
Senior officials of NITDA at the launch of the NSIPF in Abuja
According to the Director-General of NITDA, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, NSIPF will guide the country’s disposition to smart technologies and also help in leveraging technology to grow the economy across sectors. Equally important is that the framework captures the country’s vision to be among the global top economies, which is only viable through ensuring local high yields in IT.
The NITDA is government’s IT clearinghouse. Oil is the economy of the past, said Pantami and it has now become exigent to leverage technology to build Nigeria’s present and future economy.
His words: “We are moving towards a data economy. Looking at our population, digital literacy level, and commitment to technology promotion and adoption, it is the best time to leverage on this smart initiative to ensure that we move to the next level. The idea is to automate all our activities and to ensure that the influence of human beings is minimal.
Technology has become critical to build and sustain the kind of economy that could feed Nigeria’s overwhelming and growing population, said Pantami. The NSIPF is conceived to provide a smart framework that could cut around all the impeding processes associated with public sector bureaucracy at policy formation and execution particularly as it concerns IT.
He assured that the new framework would provide a robust foundation to help the country quickly adopt digital solutions critical to national development. In addition, the framework is designed to support local innovators and provide solutions that could address the country’s unique challenges.
The NITDA’s boss said efforts have also been made to draw up a framework that could attract offshore investment and provide a rallying ground of support for local innovation all for the good of the national economy.
