E-Business
Nitda: the Goad of IT in Nigeria
Information technology (IT), as defined by the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA), is "the study, design, development, implementation, support or management of computer-based information systems, particularly software applications and computer hardware."IT deals with the use of electronic computers and computer software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit, and securely retrieve information.
Our world today has changed a great deal with the aid of information technology. Things that were once done manually or by hand have now become computerised, and with computer a task is accomplished by just a single click of a mouse.
Nigeria like most developing countries is a little backward in the utilisation of information technology and as we are aware, information technology is the foundation for any nation’s survival and development.
The significance of IT can be seen from the fact that it has penetrated almost every aspect of our daily lives from business to leisure and even society. Today personal computers, cell phones, fax machines, email and internet have not only become an integral part of our very culture but also play an essential role in our day to day activities.
With the increasing growth in Computers and Telecommunications, the digital gap is still widening between those who have access to and those who have no access to digital devices and services. The Federal Government of Nigeria having recognised IT as a strategic imperative for the national development and taking into cognisance its immense benefits, has resolved to provide considerable national resources for the realisation of the national IT vision. In order to bridge such a gap locally, nationally and internationally, the Federal Government of Nigeria took a gallant stride to address some vital socio-economic issues like reliable infrastructure, skilled human resources, open government and other crucial issues of capacity building thus giving birth to the National Information Technology Development Agency (Nitda) in 2001 to serve as a clearing house for IT development in Nigeria.
In 2007, Nitda became a statutory body through the Nitda Act of 2007 with the primary vision to serve as a catalyst in transforming Nigeria into an information technology driven economy.
Most nations in the world develop national ICT policies with regards to the immense potentials of information technology so as to deter from becoming victims of the digital divide. To achieve this objective with maximum effectiveness, Nitda has implemented the IT policy, it also regulates, monitors, evaluates, and verifies progress on an ongoing basis under the supervision and coordination of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.
On 17th June, 2009, Nitda came up with Nigeria’s National ICT for Development (ICT4D) Strategy/Plan. In the existing policy, Nitda is to enter into strategic alliance, collaboration and joint venture with the private sector for the actualisation of the IT vision which is to make an Nigeria IT capable country as well as using IT as an engine for sustainable development and global competitiveness.
The national ICT4D Strategic Action Plan was developed within the frame work of realising the Federal Government of Nigeria’s Seven Point Agenda and other socio-economic development programmes which is aimed at positioning Nigeria among the 20 leading economies in the World by the year 2020, thereby deploying ICT to achieve Nigeria’s Millennium Development Goals, Nepad development initiatives and the World Summit on Information Society’s plan of action.
The ICT4D will encourage investment on ICT and the use of ICT as a tool for wide range of applications and infrastructural planning. It will also help to fight illiteracy and improve health care delivery, quality of education, human capital development, national security and law enforcement, agriculture, governance and legislature, electronic government, and private sector partnership.
In its bid to bring information technology to the door steps of all Nigerians, Nitda established 16 Rural Information technology Centres (RITCs) across the country. These RITCs are designed as composite one-stop for information technologies in the grass roots while providing IT education to rural communities, enhancing system penetration and providing internet access.
In 2006, Computers for All Nigerians Initiatives (CANI) was launched. CANI is a government-private sector collaboration aimed at increasing PC penetration in Nigeria, thus creating a more computer-literate workforce. The scheme will make available desktop computers and laptops at prices significantly below the prevailing market prices for all such employees and in addition offer bank financing for the purchase of the PCs which will be repaid at affordable rates over a period of 24 months.
Nitda is also working on the establishment of Software Development Centres in each geo-political zone as well as internet exchange points so as to cut down the cost of bandwidth.
With just seven years left to achieving the Millennium Development Goals, Nigeria needs to effectively and speedily respond to the current global economic recession, climate change, and poverty. This has renewed Government’s interest and engagement in the issue of Capacity Development (under the auspices of Nitda) so as to achieve the internationally agreed and overarching goal of cutting extreme poverty by half by 2015. Capacity Development, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), “is the process through which individuals, organisations, and societies obtain, strengthen, and maintain the capabilities to set and achieve their own development objectives over time”.
From the foregoing, it is obvious that the Federal Government of Nigeria through Nitda is leaving no leaf unturned in implementing its vision of creating an ICT revolution aimed at positioning Nigeria as the foremost ICT territory in Africa and also be among the 20 countries of the world to be reckoned with in terms of development fostered by ICT capacity building and utilisation by the year 2020.
Hadiza Umar is of Corporate Affairs unit.
National Information Technology Development Agency
E-Business
NDPC Commits to Balancing Data Privacy, Protection Information

Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), has expressed its commitment to balance information around data privacy and protection.

Dr. Vincent Olatunji, national commissioner, NDPC, stated this in Abuja, at the National Data Privacy Summit with the theme, “Privacy in the Era of Emerging Technologies,” organised by the commission.
Olatunji said the NDPC, at the moment, was looking at balancing information around data privacy and protection.
“What we are doing is just to look at how to balance information around privacy and protection, which is really important, because as we are innovating, at the same time, we have to consider issues around privacy and protection,” he stated.
He added that the commission has been very bold in taking risks that would bring about growth.
“Our starting point is growing at a very alarming rate, and we are not afraid of anything. We can take risks. And that is why a lot is happening in Nigeria, and this is the level of clarity,” he explained.
In his address, Dr. Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), stated that Internet of Things holds promise for Nigeria’s economy.
The EVC, who was represented by Abraham Oshadami, executive commissioner, Technical Services (ECTS), noted that, “in an era in which digital assets, Internet of Things, future digital computing and other transformative technologies are key, and both a cornerstone of building trust for the adoption and a prerequisite for sustainable progress.
“Emerging technologies hold immense promise for Nigeria’s grand economy, but they also introduce complex risks to personal and individual rights.
“So, balancing innovation through post-ethical safeguards and public trust is the first step to ensuring that global digital advancement benefits all Nigerians without compromising their privacy or their security,” he added.
“As we just heard from the Nigeria Police, telecom operators have a vast amount of sensitive historical information daily, including connectivity apps and collaboration on privacy, security, and number protection, both to their and their inheritors,” he said.
Dr. Bako Shurkuk, commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Plateau State, who represented Caleb Mutfwang, Governor of Plateau State, said, emerging technologies can be harnessed to attain sustainable growth.
E-Business
OADC Lagos Reinforces Commitment to Local Data Hosting and Digital Transformation @ NDPC’s National Privacy Week Summit

Open Access Data Centres (OADC) Lagos has reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s data protection and digital transformation agenda through its sponsorship and active participation in the Nigeria Data Protection Commission’s (NDPC) National Privacy Week Summit.

The National Privacy Week Summit, organised by the NDPC, convened policymakers, regulators, technology providers, and industry stakeholders to promote data privacy awareness, strengthen compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), and advance conversations around data security, sovereignty, and responsible data governance.
As a sponsor of the event, OADC Lagos demonstrated its continued support for the Federal Government’s drive toward local data hosting and data domiciliation, which are increasingly critical to safeguarding sensitive information, enhancing regulatory compliance, and building trust in Nigeria’s digital economy.
Through its carrier-neutral, Tier III Design certified data centre in Lekki, Lagos, OADC provides secure, resilient, and compliant infrastructure that enables government institutions and private sector organisations to host and manage data locally while meeting international best practices.
Commenting on the engagement, Adesola Adesugba, Country Marketing Manager, Open Access Data Centres Nigeria, said: “We are proud to have supported the Nigeria Data Protection Commission through the National Privacy Week Summit and to stand alongside the government in advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation objectives.
“Strengthening local data hosting and domiciliation is fundamental to national data sovereignty, improved security, and sustainable digital growth, and OADC Lagos remains committed to enabling this future.”
OADC’s participation at National Privacy Week Summit underscores its role as a trusted digital infrastructure partner to government and enterprise, supporting secure cloud connectivity, regulatory compliance, and the long-term development of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
Open Access Data Centres is part of the WIOCC Group and operates open-access, world-class data centres across Africa, serving cloud providers, network operators, enterprises, and public sector institutions.
E-Business
Kaspersky Launches OT Calculator to Align Cybersecurity Investments with Business Goals

Kaspersky’s new online tool has been specially developed for industrial organisations to assess the potential costs associated with insufficient operational technology (OT) security.

By offering detailed financial forecasts, the calculator empowers senior management to make well-informed decisions regarding security investments.
Industrial organisations increasingly depend on interconnected systems, elevating cybersecurity to a critical factor in business resilience and profitability.
According to VDC Research, over 60% of industrial companies last year reported that cybersecurity breaches had led to significant costs. Despite this, a persistent disconnect remains between security teams and executive leadership as security professionals focus on minimising risk, while executives must balance cybersecurity concerns with broader business objectives. This misalignment often results in competing priorities and underfunded security initiatives.
To bridge this gap, Kaspersky has launched the OT Cybersecurity Savings Calculator, an innovative online tool designed specifically for industrial organisations to assess the potential costs of inadequate operational technology (OT) security¹.
The primary aim of this tool is to translate cyber risks into tangible financial metrics and support strategic discussions around priorities and budget allocation. By entering details such as their sector, sub-sector, region, company size, breach history, and existing cybersecurity measures, organisations can estimate their potential cost savings and receive customised, actionable recommendations.
The calculator benchmarks performance against industry peers and highlights the company’s position within the current threat landscape.
“We believe this calculator is a powerful resource for transforming complex cyber risk data into straightforward financial insights. It enables OT leaders, security professionals, and executive teams to develop clear, data-driven business cases and recognise the value of cybersecurity investments. With actionable guidance, it promotes a comprehensive approach to resource management and strengthens overall organisational resilience,” comments Andrey Strelkov, Head of Industrial Cybersecurity Product line at Kaspersky.
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