If Nigeria most play actively in the global Information Communication Technology space then the nation’s IT regulatory body has to strategically evolve process to enable Nigeria position herself for this.

The National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA which was established to create a frame work for the planning, research, development, standardization, application, co-ordination, monitoring, evaluation and regulation of information technology practices, activities and systems in Nigeria is without doubt leaving no stone unturned towards achieving this mandate.

As part of the agency’s role is to develop information technology in the country through regulations, standards and requisite guidelines and policies, NITDA has further demonstrated its resolve to ensure Nigeria IT companies can compete favourably with other global organizations through best international practices.

This formed the basis of NITDAs recent certification and accreditation of some IT companies in Lagos.

Similarly, the Agency c‎ommissioned a software testing center which is the first of its kind on the continent.‎

According to ‎Mr Peter Jack,‎ Director General of NITDA,  “after rigorous process spanning over a period of one year plus and having met the required conditions and necessary international professional certification, NITDA has decided to formally present certification of accreditation to Nigeria’s first so certified Business Process Outsourcing Academy to help train and facilitate the needed human capacity in the vastly untapped sub-sector of Nigeria’s economy”.

Peter Jack stated that I.T products and I.T training certification programme was a necessity as it would save Nigeria from being a trash house for inferior products and sub-standard services in Nigeria especially with respect to BPO and Original Equipment Manufacturers.

The NITDA Director General added that the agency’s mission was therefore born out of the shared desire to strategically position the outsourcing and local OEM as a major contribution to the Nation’s gross domestic product through the provision of skilled workforce to take up responsibilities in the I.T industry and as well attract international I.T companies to Nigeria.

With the accreditation of BPO Academy, NITDA in partnership with the training centre according to the Mr Obiora Madu, chief executive officer of BPO wil help Nigeria’s quest to bridge the gap in the outsourcing industry as it has taken a bold step to accredit Business Process Outsourcing Academy as a training provider for the industry.

‎Obira added that “the choice of the Academy is due to its pioneering leadership status as the first Pan Nigerian BPO training organization and consulting firm in Nigeria”.

Statistics from the international trade center indicate that by 2050, 80% of the workforce worldwide will be working in services sector.

The growing competitive business environment has positioned Business Process Outsourcing as a key source of competitive advantage.

In a related development, NITDA also pointed out that the local OEM need constant certification and recertification in order to put them on their tools.

The Director General of ‎NITDA said, the previous focus of NITDA was on the development of I.T but today, NITDA is focusing on guidelines and policy formation by ensuring quality of locally made I.T products to compete with globally made products. 

In ways like never before, Nigerian companies are on the rise taking on huge challenges and overcoming after sales support services.

Peter Jack said, the road to insurance license for OMEs was tasking and tedious because the agency had to subject RLG products to various regulatory tests before the certification was approved.

Indeed, with the rise of such events in the economy of Nigeria, the country is on her way to taking her rightful place as the giant of Africa.

Responding, ‎Mr Tosin Ilesanmi‎, regional dpirector, RLG West Africa,  praised NITDA’s efforts and pledged the companies resolve to keep up with its innovative edge will promising to sustain the highest quality standards of its products.
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So‎ftware Testing Centre‎
NITDA also commissioned the software testing centre in order to test software designs and provide business solutions as well as ensuring that all software developed in Nigeria are certified at the centre to ascertain their dependability.
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The‎ Director General said, “the whole essence of the centre is to provide a hub for younger developers and ensure that any software developed in Nigeria will be tested and as a spill off provide market opportunities for the software sub sector” .
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The industry has been delivering its mandates through human capacity programmes such as scholarship schemes for graduates and under graduates, and also job opportunities just as this software building is also aimed at creating jobs for Nigerians.
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The occasion was graced by cream of ICT sector who shared their views and suggestions.
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According to Mr. Rowland Omoseremi, project consultant, by this singular act NITDA no doubt has demonstrated its readiness to place Nigeria as a hub in software development.

He said his organisation with huge international experiences in the United States and other parts of Africa was adopt a marketable approach for the sustenance of the facility through privately driven approach.

While lending his voice to the initiative, Mr Pius Okigbo, president Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria said, NITDA has taken a bold step towards writing Nigeria’s name in gold given the potentials of the centre to help engage youths and provide job opportunities.
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Peter Jack, director general, expressed NITDA\’S drive to promote innovations and create job opportunities through ICT in Nigeria.

He observed that the current software policy which was developed over 10years ago has become outdated and no longer relevant to today\’s exigencies given the dynamics in technological evolution over time.