Telecom
NITDA, NCAA to Form Alliance on Digital Transformation
Digital Transformation, one of the seven strategic pillars of the National Information Technology Development Agency’s Strategic RoadMap and Action Plan (SRAP 2021-2024) as a pivotal aspect to transformational initiatives, has been identified as the baseline for alliance between The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi (R), director general, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) receiving Captain Musa Shuaibu Nuhu,(L) Director General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)at NITDA Office in Abuja recently.
This is according , Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, director general, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) when he received Captain Musa Shuaibu Nuhu, the Director General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and his technical team on a courtesy visit at NITDA’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.
Abdullahi stated that digital transformation is being engaged using two different fundamentals: digitization and digitalization. While Digitization is the mechanism employed by digital technology to enhance effective processing of product and service delivery, digitalization on the other hand is adaptation of system, processes, using digital technology as a source of inspiration to change operational structure and procedure.”
The NITDA boss expatiated on the need to conform to the best global practices, said that; “technology is an enabler, therefore there is need to use technology to increase productivity.”
The DG observed that NITDA’s interface with NCAA is aimed at driving both the internal and external processes of the latter as the apex regulatory body for data regulations and development in Nigeria.
He said NITDA has been engaging NCAA in the areas of IT project clearance as well as providing advisory services to the Agency in recent past.
Abdullahi added that, in line with keeping up with global trends, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami (while he was the DG of NITDA) enabled the issuance of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) Policy in January 2019.
He said, this provided opportunity for the protection of the right to privacy, creating the right environment for digital transactions, job creation and improving information management practices in Nigeria, adding that the IT sector is data driven and to achieve this, capacity building is very essential.
’’At NITDA our believe is that we cannot succeed in isolation, that’s why we have rebranded and changed our core values, mission and vision, our core values are People first, we exist to serve people); Professionalism, whatever we do is according to best practices, and Innovation, we don’t believe in conventional methods, we try to bring something new to our sector,’’ Abdullahi explained.
He postulates the need for effective human capital. ’’We need our people to understand our objectives to enable the smooth transmission of ideas and application of information technology,’’ he added.
The new drive for the agency, according to Abdullahi, is to engage all MDAs of government to ensure that they have necessary policy, processes, and infrastructure in place to ensure timely service delivery at reduced cost.
’’We are setting up training sessions, first with CEO/MDs of MDAs to enlighten them on digital transformation processes. Thereafter, staff from different departments and units, Procurement, Planning, Administration, Human Resource, etc, would be drafted into the Digital Transformation Technical Working Group (DTTWG),’’ he said.
This group, he said, would work on developing policies that aligns basically with their individual agencies/sector.
He also proffers that each MDAs should have their individual Data Protection Officers (DPOs) who would report directly to the Director General.
The DG, NITDA finally assured the NCAA DG that alliance can be formed on the platform of DTTWG to develop appropriate tool kit and enabling policy that would focus on NCAA vision and mission.
In his remarks, Captain Musa Nuhu disclosed that the motive of the courtesy visit is to strengthen their existing relationship and create synergy as all government agencies are parts of a whole. “It makes life and work easier and efficient,’’ he said.
He applauded all past NITDA’s intervention to his organization and look forward to more collaboration on all possible areas that the two government bodies could foster alliance.
Lynda Saint-Nwafor, chief Enterprise business officer, MTN Nigeria, has assured the network subscribers that the new end-user billing system for the use of USSD services will jot affect them.
USSD, otherwise Unstructured Supplementary Service Data codes are commonly used for banking transactions, airtime recharges, and other mobile services.
The telco said that there is no significant impact or change other than the fact that they will now pay the same N6.98 per session (120 seconds) with their airtime instead of direct bank debit.
Saint-Nwafor, said this during a chat with MTN MIP fellows, explaining that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have ordered telecom operators to ensure that the new billing model resolves trust issues and ensures transparency in the billing process.
“Our regulator insisted that at the end of every month, we are going to be providing history and statistics on the performance of the service across the board”, she explained.
Saint-Nwafor added that the new billing model has standardized messaging across all operators and ensures consistent communication with customers.
“We will take all the error codes and map them into messages that are standardised across the board. So, if you initiate a transaction, you will know if it is failing. And, when the transaction fails, you will know if it is from your bank or the telco,” she explained.
The U.S. government has recovered $225 million in what is now the largest seizure of funds linked to a cryptocurrency investment scam.
In a statement released Wednesday, June 18, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said the recovery followed an extensive investigation by the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service, using blockchain analysis and other forensic tools. The statement did not confirm whether any arrests had been made.
According to the authorities, the stolen funds originated from fraudulent cryptocurrency investment schemes that tricked victims into believing they were making legitimate investments. More than 400 individuals around the world, including dozens in the United States, were reportedly affected.
The operation involved a sophisticated money laundering network that carried out hundreds of thousands of blockchain transactions to obscure the source and ownership of the stolen assets.
“These scams prey on trust, often resulting in extreme financial hardship for the victims,” said Shawn Bradstreet, Special Agent in Charge at the U.S. Secret Service office in San Francisco.
Bradstreet added that U.S. officials hope the recovered funds can eventually be returned to the rightful victims.
Cryptocurrency investment fraud accounted for over $5.8 billion in reported losses in 2024 alone, according to the statement.
In a rousing declaration that is electrifying minds across the continent, Hon. Nnaemeka Ani, Special Adviser on ICT to Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has called for a homegrown digital revolution under the banner “Africa Will Rise: By Code, By Courage, By Us.”
Hon. Nnaemeka Ani
The message, part challenge, part philosophical—seeks to galvanize African innovators to move beyond buzzwords and build technology with impact and legacy in mind.
“Let’s stop building for hype. Let’s start building for legacy,” Ani urged while speaking to ICT journalists over the weekend. “Let’s stop waiting for someone else. Let’s start creating the future—on our own terms.”
At the heart of Ani’s vision is a shift from tech consumerism to tech authorship. With innovation hubs sprouting across cities like Enugu, Lagos, Kigali, Jo’Burg, and Nairobi, and a growing community of developers, engineers, and entrepreneurs determined to solve Africa’s unique challenges, the movement is already taking shape.
Ani emphasized that Africa’s future lies not in flashy apps or international admiration but in persistent, intentional solutions that uplift communities—solutions that digitize public services, bridge rural-urban divides, empower women and youth, and build resilience in food and climate systems.
“We have the talent,” he said. “Now it’s time to harness it—to stop building for likes and start building for lasting impact.”
With support from leaders like Ani and rising momentum in Africa’s tech corridors, it seems that a new chapter is being written—one line of code at a time.
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