What may seem as collusion course is underway between the management of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and leadership of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) over who should register and license Information Technology (IT) Contractors in Nigeria.
Both bodies are creations of the Acts of the National Assembly.
Trouble had started on Monday this week, when the Director General of NITDA, Dr. Isah Pantami issued a statement notifying Information Technology (IT) Contractors working for government and private sector to come up for official registration and licensing in line with the mandate of the federal agency.
However, in a swift reaction to the statement, the NCS President, Prof. Adesola Aderounmu, averred that licensing of IT contractors or professionals in Nigeria is not part of NITDA’s mandate because as the name suggests, “the agency is to plan, promote and develop regulatory framework and guidelines as stated in NITDA Act 2007, section 6A”.
“We therefore advise NITDA in our advocacy capacity not to embark on registering and licensing of IT contractors and service providers (Registered IT professionals) activities and instead concentrate on developmental issues which we believe can be jointly achieved collaboratively. CPN is the only agency with the mandate to register and license IT professionals and contractors in Nigeria”.
Aderoumu said the Association’s attention was drawn to a policy statement released by Director General, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, on February 12, 2018 which on general principle was targeted at registering and license all IT contractors.
“The Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN) Act 49 of 1993 is saddled with the mandate to register, license, supervise and control the profession as stated in CPN Act section 1 (2)”.
According to NCS boss, “The said statement is capable of confusing the general public to create an uncoordinated approach to policy issues and both Acts of Parliament as stated earlier. NCS is of the belief that NITDA’s mandate is to ensure seamless cooperation and interaction towards the use of IT as a development tool for the country.
But in a counter response, NITDA boss issued another statement, saying “NITDA acknowledges that the Computer Professionals (Registration Council) of Nigeria as a Council is mandated to have control and supervision of the (Computing) profession as provided by Section 1(2) of the Computer Professionals (Registration council of Nigeria) Act”.
“However, the registration of IT Contractors and Service Providers by NITDA is in line with NITDA’s mandate as specifically stated in Section 6 (a, f) NITDA Act 2007, which mandates it to create a framework for the planning, research, development, standardization, application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and regulation of information technology practices, activities and systems in Nigeria; and to render advisory services on all information technology matters to the public and private sectors.
Pantami therefore argued that “It is within the regulatory and developmental role of NITDA to ensure that IT contractual practices and project delivery in the public sector are done in accordance with best practices, within acceptable standards and in the interest of the development of IT in Nigeria. Furthermore, the Agency, as the clearance house for IT projects of the Federal Government, has the responsibility to ensure that IT projects are executed by professional firms. NITDA as a regulator will not relent in its quest to improve IT practices and expose projects that are ill conceived or poorly executed”.
NITDA also assured that it will not allow sub-standard projects in MDAs being executed by companies that have limited or no capacities. The registration process will therefore ensure professionalism in IT service delivery, value for national investments in IT and to weed out quacks who may seek to take advantage of public procurements for selfish interests. The process will also provide a detailed database of indigenous IT capabilities in Nigeria to guide the government in planning IT projects and for the promotion of Nigerian content through appropriate use of public sector spend in IT. Furthermore, the process will lead to a review of failed projects with a view at curating knowledge on factors that may have led to failure. NITDA in partnership with other relevant authorities shall take appropriate action where fraud may have led to failure.
Pantami also revealed that already, several indigenous IT Contractors and Service Providers have commenced the process of registration with NITDA, saying “The Agency appreciates all those that have initiated the process. It clearly shows their commitment to the growth and development of the IT sector”.
