Nigerian CommunicationWeek

NigComSat Board Bemoans Proliferation of Foreign ICT Vendors

Prof. Turner Isoun, chairman of NigComSat board

Worried by the proliferation and domination of Foreign Information and Communications Technology (ICT) vendors in Nigeria, the board of Nigerian Communications Satellite (NigComSat) limited has said if this dangerous trend is not corrected, it will undermine the war against security challenges.

Prof. Turner Isoun, chairman of the board,  in a statement after the board meeting last week, frowned at this ugly trend saying this proliferation of foreign ICT vendors proposing and supplying security solutions to Nigerian security, Para-military and critical infrastructure bodies portend serious threats.
 
According to Isoun the danger is that the nation is exposed “to a myriad of potential security threats from otherwise restricted data being exposed to numerous vendors”.

 Isoun who is the longest serving Science and Technology Minister in Nigeria’s history explained that “this predicament is particularly worrisome not only because of the present state of national insecurity but also because NigComSat  limited is the only government agency mandated to act as a clearing house and solution provider for security related ICT solutions to Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and institutions”.

Indeed, NigComSat limited currently manages the National Public Safety Communications Systems (NPSCS), a national safety network.

A network upgrade has commenced for the public safety system, Isoun explained .

This, the board Chairman said, is to protect the nation’s borders and other key infrastructure such as oil and gas pipelines.

He therefore “cautions all government agencies to direct their ICT needs to NIGCOMSAT limited or through the Federal Ministry of Communications Technology within the next four weeks.

Isoun also advised state governments “who are interested in providing security solutions for their respective states to liaise with NigComSat limited for effective planning and integration into the NPSCS”.

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