Local contents in ICT: NITDA steps up implementation plans

IN line with the mandate of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to promote the development of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Nigeria and Executive Orders 003 and 005 of the Federal Governmentof Nigeria for the promotion of local contents, the agency has said it is vigorously implementing and enforcing the Nigerian Content Development Plan in ICT as a sustainable framework for the strategic development of ICT in Nigeria.

It is recalled that in December 2013, NITDA issued the guidelines for Nigerian Content Development in ICT as a coherent framework for the development of ICT in Nigeria. The Strategic implementation Plan for Nigerian Content Development established the Office for Nigerian Content Development in ICT (ONC) as Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to coordinate the implementation of the programme and supervise compliance with the guidelines.

The ONC has issued hundreds of notices and has intervened at numerous times to ensure the guidelines are enforced and that indigenously developed ICT content is given priority in the procurements of MDAs.

The ONC, under the supervision of NITDA, has ensured that data hosted by MDAs outside Nigeria is repatriated to Nigerian Data Centres in line with the provisions of the Guidelines.

NITDA is also utilising various instruments within its operations to ensure implementation of its Guidelines. The Agency, it is recalled, has forged functional partnerships with National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Computer Professional (Registration Council)of Nigeria(CPN) and other regulatory MDAs to ensure implementation of the local contents policy of the Federal Government and its guidelines on Nigerian Content. The agency has directed strict compliance with the guidelines through the ICT Project Clearance process.

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MDAs seeking to implement ICT procurement projects are compelled to disclose project alignment with government’s local content policy and comply with all extant regulations.

In March 2018, NITDA issued a framework for the registration of Indigenous ICT service providers and Contractors in Nigeria.  The process is designed to ensure local companies with proven indigenous capability are given priorityin executing IT procurement jobs in Nigeria.

NITDA, has therefore, directs all indigenous ICT service providers and contractors not yet registered with the agency to immediately commence their registration processes for verification and classification of capacity as ICT companies in Nigeria.

In implementing the 2018 budget, NITDA will advise MDAs to avoid implementing ICT Procurements with companies not registered with NITDA, as they may not have the capacity or professionalism to deliver on ICT projects.