NITDA Reviews Guidelines for ICT Service Providers

The Federal Government has informed contractors and Information and Communications Technology service providers of its intention to conduct a comprehensive review of guidelines governing the process of delivering IT services to ministries, departments and agencies.

The National Information Technology Development Agency under the purview of the Ministry of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy announced this via a press release on Saturday in Abuja.

The Head of Corporate Affairs and External Relations of NITDA, Hadiza Umar, said the review was designed to streamline the process, uphold the highest standards of professionalism in IT services, and nourish the growth of local IT companies.

The government had, in 2018, outlined a registration process for indigenous IT companies to nourish their growth in adherence to a presidential executive order, but was inefficiently implemented.

A copy of the guidelines showed that only indigenous applicants would be considered for registration and must have at least one of its principal officers registered with the Computer Professionals of Nigeria.

As a result of the inefficiency, the NITDA spokesperson stated that a review of the guidelines would be carried out under global trends to ensure competent vendors are engaged for IT service delivery.

She added that the guidelines would create opportunities for more digital services to be provided by Nigerian companies while strengthening the ease of doing business for IT service providers.

Umar said, “The National Information Technology Development Agency is undertaking a comprehensive review of the guidelines for registration of ICT service providers/contractors, designed to streamline the process for the delivery of IT services to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“Since the issuance of the guidelines, the agency has identified the need to improve the efficiency in the process of registration, promote indigenous IT service provision, ensure competent vendors are engaged for IT service delivery to Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

She noted that “NITDA desires to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure that Nigerians benefit from the use of Information Technology to enhance and simplify their daily activities, especially service delivery by government and other institutions. This aligns with the present administration’s drive to ensure collective prosperity through efficiency and innovation.

“The review, which will result in the amendment of the guidelines, will create opportunities for more digital services to be provided by Nigerian companies while strengthening the ease of doing business for IT service providers.”