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Pantami, NITDA DG on Policy Thrust for It Development in Nigeria

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Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami
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With the notion that the Nigerian IT industry is one of the fastest growing in the world, it is, however, obvious that it will require adequate policies and guidelines to sustain the growth.

I recently caught up with Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, director general of the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, which is the Agency empowered to regulate the IT industry in Nigeria and had a robust discussion with him on IT development in Nigeria.

On his strategies to take the IT industry in Nigeria to the next level, the NITDA DG made it clear, in the first instant, that, with the scope of the mandate given to the Agency, which is about 20 major ones and about 100 minor ones, it will be difficult to take them on simultaneously.

This is because if the economic and other extraneous factors. He, however, stated that this is why he had to prioritize the scope so as to pursue those areas where Nigeria needs immediate intervention and that will make a difference.

This was after consulting the senior management staff of NITDA and other stakeholders from outside.

Dr. Pantami labeled his strategy as “Strategic plan on how to transform the IT industry in Nigeria”. The thrust of the plan, according to him, is to pursue the regulatoryroke of the Agency, which has not been significantly done for a while now.

This is because NITDA had, over the years, been gradually transformed to an administrative Agency, rather than a regulatory one. He maintained that, any contract that will be awarded by the Agency will be such that it will ensure that Nigeria becomes a more knowledge-based nation.

He stated that NITDA, for instance, is empowered to give clearance on IT imports and failure to do this, elicits court actions, a fine and jail term.

He said the idea is to ensure the promotion of local content in our IT industry, such that, whatever we have here, we will not import. This is because,  by importing, we are putting more pressure on our local currency.

He reiterated that NITDA will embark on enlightening the public on its regulatory roles.

Dr. Pantami maintained that we need to support and strengthen our local software developers through collaborations as well as assist local manufacturers of hardware to grow. Regarding the notion that our local software developers cannot compete with those imported from overseas, the NiTDA DG said this falls within the purview of the need to strengthen our local content development and capacity building. “We have individual capacity but lack collective capacity”, he said.

The DG, therefore, stated that there is the need for collaboration and support in order to improve capacity and quality like it was done  in India, etc.

He further said that NITDA is trying to collate a database of Nigerian software, hardware and other related IT experts, so it can keep in touch with them. What some of them need is a Federal government voice and support to enable them get collaboration from abroad and not necessarily money.

On some if the policies he will like to see pursued in order to help the IT industry in Nigeria grow, the NITDA DG stressed that the regulatory role of NITDA should be pursued and he will like to push for amendments to the fine stated for default of the regulatory stipulations, so that it will be stiffer to serve as deterrent.

On what he will like to be remembered for in the next one year, he stated four objectives as follows:

1. That NITDA truly represents its mandate; i.e., its regulatory role.

2. That NITDA is removed from administrative role to IT-driven Agency.

3. Support local content

4. Capacity building and job creation.

You can view the full interview:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A8lBovhezc&t=29s&list=PLl6IvhbhEqwyxS8ISpOr2UFm2bWEVqcM9&index=4

CFA is the Founder, www.techsmart.ng and Co-producer/Presenter,Tech Trends on Channels Television

 


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Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

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Study Reveals Majority of IT Professionals Show Openness to Cyber Immunity

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The cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly, with organisations seeking more robust ways to protect their digital assets. A recent global study conducted by Kaspersky reveals a growing shift toward proactive security strategies, particularly the adoption of Secure by Design development and Cyber Immunity – an innovative approach that embeds resilience directly into system architecture.

The study highlights that 90% of cybersecurity professionals surveyed in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region are familiar with Secure by Design development. This methodology integrates security into the very fabric of a system from its inception, rather than treating it as an afterthought.

Such an approach is already employed in high-stakes industries like aerospace, where security cannot be bolted on later – it must be intrinsic. Despite its advantages, however, adoption has been slow due to challenges related to standardisation and cost.

Cyber Immunity is the next frontier in cybersecurity

Building on Secure by Design principles, Cyber Immunity takes cybersecurity a step further by creating systems that inherently resist attacks without the need for constant patching or additional security layers. The study reveals that most experts are familiar with Cyber Immunity but interpret it differently.

When asked what they associate with the term, 64% of respondents in the META region linked it to Secure by Design systems that remain resilient under attack, while 56% viewed it as a combination of technology and policy measures that block cybercriminal access. Another 48% connected it to highly skilled cybersecurity teams, indicating that while awareness is high, a unified understanding is still developing.

The growing demand for proactive security

One of the most striking findings is the optimism surrounding inherently secure systems. Over half of respondents in the META region (63%) believe it is already possible or definitely achievable to design systems capable of withstanding cyberattacks without relying on additional security solutions.

Another 32% think it might be possible, reflecting openness to this idea despite some uncertainty. This shift in mindset aligns with a broader industry trend: traditional reactive security measures are no longer sufficient.

With AI-powered threats and increasingly sophisticated attacks, organisations need solutions that do more than just detect breaches—they must prevent them by design.

Integrating Cyber Immunity into security strategies

The study emphasises that resilience, expertise, and flexibility will define the next generation of cybersecurity. While Secure by Design provides the methodology, Cyber Immunity represents the ultimate goal—systems so robust that they minimise reliance on external defences.

“For companies looking ahead, Cyber Immunity offers more than just protection — it brings clear business benefits. When systems are built to be secure from the ground up, there’s less need for constant updates, patches, and extra security tools. That means fewer costs, less strain on IT teams, and stronger, more reliable protection over time,” said Dmitry Lukiyan, Head of KasperskyOS Business Unit.

Most importantly in today’s threat landscape, Cyber Immunity offers robust protection against next-generation challenges — including AI-driven attacks capable of outmaneuvering traditional security measures.

When security becomes an intrinsic property of system architecture rather than an external addition, businesses gain more than just protection—they secure a competitive market advantage.

This proactive approach future-proofs critical infrastructure, enabling organisations to operate confidently even as threats evolve. It transforms cybersecurity from a defensive necessity into a strategic differentiator that accelerates digital transformation while mitigating risk.

As the cybersecurity environment becomes more complex, Cyber Immunity is emerging as a vital strategy. Organisations that adopt it now will not only enhance their protection but also position themselves ahead of the curve in an increasingly volatile digital world.

 


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Konga launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free delivery

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Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce platform, has launched its inaugural 2026 shopping campaign, Konga Jara, offering 25 per cent discount on Starlink internet kits alongside free nationwide delivery.

Konga launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free delivery

Konga

The campaign, drawing from the Nigerian concept of “jara” — the extra value traders add to purchases — aims to deliver exceptional deals across categories, helping shoppers turn new year aspirations into reality through affordable technology and value-driven shopping.

To qualify for the Starlink discount, customers must purchase kits on Konga.com, activate them at starlink.com/activate, and email activation details to [email protected] for verification against Starlink’s records. Discounts are subject to terms and conditions.

Konga said spotlighting Starlink underscores reliable internet’s role in Nigeria’s digital economy, supporting work, learning, entrepreneurship and communication for households and businesses.

Mr Onochie Melvin, Head of Commercial Planning at Konga, said: “We listened carefully to what Nigerians said they needed to truly kickstart 2026 on the right footing. Reliable internet connectivity emerged as the foundation upon which other aspirations depend.”

He added: “Students need it for online learning, entrepreneurs need it to scale digital businesses, and professionals rely on it for remote work. This Starlink offer is not just about selling products; it is about removing barriers that prevent Nigerians from fully participating in the digital economy.”

Beyond connectivity, Konga Jara provides genuine products from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with transparent pricing, warranties and authenticity guarantees.

As a composite e-commerce ecosystem, Konga integrates shopping, payments and logistics for seamless nationwide access, with exclusive deals shared via its social media channels throughout the campaign.

Shoppers can explore offers at www.konga.com and follow Konga’s official pages for updates across the Konga Group.


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Firm Identifies Global Scam Activity Linked to the Release of Avatar 3

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The premiere of Avatar 3 has taken place in several countries and has been accompanied by a noticeable increase in online interest. Amid the heightened attention surrounding the release, Kaspersky experts identified an increase in cyber-scam campaigns that exploit the movie’s launch and users’ desire to watch it online. The fraudulent websites target users across multiple regions, indicating attempts by attackers to reach a global audience.

The scam operates as follows: cybercriminals create suspicious websites that offer online access to the Avatar 3 movie. Attackers place particular emphasis on localisation, publishing the sites in multiple languages to attract users from different countries. However, the translations are often poorly executed and contain grammatical errors and inconsistencies, which may serve as indicators of fraudulent activity.

When users attempt to start the video, they are presented with a fake media player and prompted to register in order to obtain “full” or “unlimited” access to the film. As part of the registration process, users are asked to provide personal information, including an email address and mobile phone number.

At later stages, scammers may request additional data, including payment details, under the guise of activating a “free trial.” This creates risks of credential compromise, particularly if users reuse passwords across multiple services, and may also lead to financial losses.

“Cybercriminals consistently exploit major movie premieres to capture users’ attention and increase the effectiveness of their schemes. We advise accessing films only through official platforms and exercising caution when encountering websites that request personal or payment information. It is also important to use reliable security solutions to protect all devices, including mobiles,” comments Olga Altukhova, Senior web content analyst at Kaspersky.

 


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