The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has sealed a partnership deal with the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) in the area of developing standards, capacity building and certification in the IT sector..
The Director-General of NITDA, Mal. Kashifu Inuwa disclosed this when Mal. Faruq Salim of SON paid him a courtesy visit, saying that partnership is important because the NITDA Act 2007 states that the Agency is to work with SON to develop standards.
According to him, the development of standards is captured under the developmental regulations pillar of NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2020-2024).
“Our understanding of regulation is to help the service provider and protect the consumer, not stiffen innovation or to be an obstacle to businesses,” he explained.
Mal. Inuwa assured that NITDA and SON will explore possible areas of trainings in other to exchange knowledge and ideas, adding that both Agencies can benefit from each other’s wealth of knowledge, experience, and expertise.
“As an Agency whose first core value is People-first, we are trying to be customer-centric. Therefore, cooperation is key in whatever we do,” he stated further.
Earlier, the DG SON, Mallam Salim while giving his remarks said; “the meeting is to map out a path for NITDA and SON in developing standards and complementing each other where necessary.”
He said hopefully the two organizations can cooperate in our management system training and certifications, as well as in our standards writing, and enforcements, because we have the teeth by law to help you enforce the law where your hands are tied. “We have the provisions by law, to prosecute individuals or companies that transgress”, said DG SON.
The Acting Director, Standards, Guidelines and Frameworks (SGF) of NITDA, Mr. Olawunmi Oladejo, while contributing to discussion brought to fore the Rule Making Process (RMP) of NITDA said, the rule making process is strictly followed as it clearly states that stakeholders must be carried along in the development of any standards, guidelines, frameworks, and regulations. And in doing this, he added, “NITDA is trying to ensure compliance more than enforcement”.
A three-man committee selected from the two organisations that will work out the modalities for engagement and collaboration was also inaugurated.