December 4, 2017

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on Monday, called on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as private organisations to patronise Nigerian Data Centres across the country to develop the economy.

Dr Isa Pantami, Director-General of the agency, in a statement he signed on Monday in Abuja, said that patronising such centres would reduce capital flight.

According to him, it will also create jobs and guarantee reduction in cost of Information Technology products.

“ NITDA would like to bring to the attention of Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as private organisations to the need for them to patronise Nigerian Data Centres.

“The progress made in the adoption and utilisation of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in both the public and private sectors of the economy makes hosting data and information inevitable.

“However, it is disheartening to note that the current practices by public and private organisations hosting data offshore, despite having highly reliable Tier III Data Centres,’’ he said.

The director-general said that the centres had been certified by various international organisations and guaranteeing almost 100 per cent availability as well as multiple layers of security.

“Hosting data locally guarantees reduction in cost and capital flight, digital job creation, increased security, and increase in tax revenues thereby boosting the local economy.”

He recalled that the guidelines for Nigerian Content Development in ICT mandated organisations to host data locally.

He said the agency was putting measures in place to facilitate and ensure that MDAs And private sector fully comply with the guidelines.

“Data and Information Management firms should host government data locally within the country and shall not for any reason, host any government data outside the country without an express approval from NITDA”.

According to him, the agency is working with local data hosting firms to set appropriate service level requirements and standards for data service provisioning.

Pantami said that the agency had restructured the office for Nigerian Content Development in ICT, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), under the agency to develop, promote and monitor indigenous ICT adoption.