By Angeline Mgbele, Bureau Chief, North
To further strengthen the Nigeria cyberspace and enhance the digital trust as enshrined in the National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA) Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2.0, the Agency has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the National Identity Management Commission, (NIMC) on National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) with the aim of enhancing digital identity, payment ecosystem and secure seamless exchange of data in the country.
NITDA Director General, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, made this known during a working visit to his counterpart, the NIMC Director-General, Engr. Bisoye Coker-Odusote to discuss the various initiatives that centered around the building of DPI stacks for a secure and seamless data exchange and forming partnerships to transform the national identity system.
While emphasising that the collaboration will harness the potential of the technology innovation ecosystem, Mallam Abdullahi maintained that the use of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) would also help to drive the Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
He used the opportunity to provide insights into NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan stating that NITDA was evolving and that had informed the decision of the Agency to keep re-imagining itself, noting that the Agency recently re-crafted its vision and mission to reflect the current realities in the industry.
Abdullahi further explained that the NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2024-2027) 2.0 was anchored on eight pillars which include; Fostering Digital Literacy and Cultivating Talents, Building a Robust Technology Research Ecosystem, Strengthening Policy Implementation and Legal Frameworks, Promoting Inclusive Access to Digital Infrastructure and Services, Enhancing Cybersecurity and Digital Trust, Nurturing an Innovative and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, Forging Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations, and Cultivating a Vibrant Organisational Culture with an Agile Workforce.
In her remarks, the NIMC’s Director General, expressed the enthusiasm of the Commission to collaborate with NITDA in advancing the digital economy sector stating that “no institutions can implement all its policies and programs in isolation, we need each other to achieve the set targets.”
Engr. Coker further informed the gathering that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had signed a circular on data integration and harmonisation of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and on PKI for growth and development of the country.
The highlight of the meeting was the inauguration of a 12-man committee that is saddled with the responsibility of kick-starting and harmonising the initiatives and the committee is expected to deliver a comprehensive implementation report in the coming weeks.
