The Nigerian government has unveiled its agenda to embark on a comprehensive overhaul of the guidelines governing the operations and registration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) service providers and contractors. This strategic move was announced by the nation’s foremost tech regulatory body, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), through a statement delivered by its Head of Corporate Affairs and External Relations, Hadiza Umar.

The government elucidated that the imminent review is not only necessitated by the prolonged utilization of the existing guidelines since 2018 but is also propelled by the essential need to foster the advancement of local Information Technology (IT) firms. It aims to refine the process for dispensing IT services to the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The guidelines initially issued in 2018 delineated the registration procedure for homegrown IT service providers, ensuring the delivery of premium-quality IT projects to the federal government, maintaining the highest benchmarks of professionalism in IT services, and fortifying the progression of domestic IT enterprises, all in compliance with the pertinent Presidential Executive Orders.

This step is poised to streamline the registration process for indigenous IT service providers, guaranteeing the delivery of high-quality IT projects to the federal government, upholding the highest standards of professionalism in IT services, and nurturing the growth of local IT companies, all in adherence to the relevant Presidential Executive Orders,” stated the NITDA representative, highlighting the government’s commitment to fostering indigenous technological development and enhancing the efficiency of IT service delivery to its federal entities.