Failed IT projects: NITDA begins registration, licensing of indigenous IT contractors

THE National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has said that measures are being put in place to license all The Information Technology (IT) contractors and service providers in the country.

According to NITDA, this move became necessary following the reoccurring failure of IT projects within government establishment. 

In a statement issued by the Agency and made available to Nigerian Tribune, NITDA stated that the new policy will bother basically on procurements, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and other forms of engagement with Government establishments and Private Sector.

“The management of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) would like to bring to the attention of all Information Technology (IT) Contractors, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), other government establishments, the organised private sector and the general public that it has put measures in place to register and license all Information Technology (IT) Contractors and Service Providers for the purposes of procurements, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and other forms of engagement with Government establishments and Private Sector.

“The Agency is dismayed at the rising number of failing IT projects within Federal MDAs and other government establishments. NITDA’s investigations revealed that over 90% of IT projects in MDAs and other government establishments failed and more than 95% of their security is compromised. 

“In order to curtail this and in line with the Agency’s mandate and the recent Presidential Executive Order 005 for Planning and Execution of Projects, Promotion of Nigerian Content in Contracts and Science, Engineering and Technology, as mandated by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR,the registration and licensing of IT Contractors and Service providers has become expedient”, the statement noted.

The statement further stated that “the process aims at ensuring the emergence of robust indigenous IT Service Providers and Contractors, guaranteeing the delivery of sustainable IT projects as well as engendering professionalism in the IT service industry.  

“The process will also ensure that IT projects in MDAs will only be executed by indigenous companies where in-country capacity exists. As part of the process, NITDA will monitor and ensure the capacity development of Nigerians employed by IT Contractors and other Service providers.

“Furthermore, the Agency will, in conjunction with relevant agencies, investigate any project that has failed to determine the root cause of the failure and apply sanctions where necessary or to refer such cases to other relevant authorities.

“All firms desirous of providing IT services and contracts to Federal MDAs and other government establishments are advised to initiate the registration process with immediate effect. Guidelines on the registration process can be accessed by visiting NITDA’s website:www.nitda.gov.ng. 

“Alternatively, an application can be written to the Agency in order to initiate the process. Interested entities should note that only NITDA registered firms and companies will be recognised as having capabilities for the provision of IT services to Federal MDAs and other government establishments. All MDAs and other government establishments are advised to consult NITDA before any IT firm is engaged for the purposed of providing IT related services. 

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“The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is an Agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria. The Agency was created in April 2001 to implement the Nigerian Information Technology Policy and co-ordinate general IT development and regulation in the country. 

“Specifically, Section 6(a & c) of the Act mandates NITDA to create a framework for the planning, research, development, standardization, application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and regulation of Information Technology practices, activities and systems in Nigeria; and render advisory services in all information technology matters to the public and private sectors”.