ICT Regulatory and Professional Activities Nigeria

06:21 am on 2013-09-28

Sectoral and National bodies exist to take care of the interests of different players in Nigeria's ICT sector. Prominent are the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN), Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) amongst others.

Nigeria Computer Society is the premier member association responsible for the advancement of Computer Science and Technology, Computer Applications and Professionals Practice. NCS is the nation's foremost network of Information Technology (IT) practitioners with membership strength of over 10,000 comprising IT professionals, Interest Groups and Stakeholders.

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is the regulatory body for Nigeria's telecom sector. NCC issues licenses to private telecoms companies providing a variety of telecom services to the Nigerian populace.

The Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN), established by Decree 49 of 1993 is responsible for the control and supervision of the Computing Profession in the country. CPN has responsibilities amongst others for the accreditation of Computer Training institutions, courses and programmes.

The National IT Development Agency (NITDA) is responsible for the implementation of the National ICT policy. Though NITDA was set up by the Federal Government on 18th April 2001, the NITDA Act only came into being on Friday, April 24, 2007. Based on the act the agency now has powers to create a frame work for the planning, research, development, standardisation, application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and regulation of information technology practices, activities and systems in Nigeria. Its functions include providing universal access for IT and systems penetration including rural, urban and under-served areas. This is in addition to providing guidelines to facilitate the establishment and maintenance of appropriate infrastructure for information technology and systems among others.

The NITDA act establishes an IT Development Fund, which stipulates that the fund shall be recapitalised from 1 per cent levy on profit before tax to be paid by specified companies whose annual turn over is more than N1m.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Are professional and regulatory bodies in Nigeria's ICT sector doing enough? How can their roles be enhanced? Please share your comments, thoughts and opinions.

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Jide Awe

Innovation and Development Advisor, ICT at Jidaw
ICT Development Advisory Support and Consulting