A staggering 56% of IT projects in Nigeria’s Federal Public Institutions have failed, according to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). The agency is now urging strict compliance with the IT Project Clearance Guideline to prevent such failures in the future. The guidelines aim to ensure a coordinated and standardized approach to the deployment of Information Technology systems in public institutions.

Kashifu Inuwa, the Director-General of NITDA, emphasized the importance of compliance during a visit to the Offices of the Accountant General of the Federation and the Auditor General of the Federation. He noted that the failure of IT projects is often due to the lack of clearance, which is mandatory for all Federal Public Institutions (FPIs) under NITDA’s Act 2007. The agency has introduced a reviewed IT Project Clearance Guidance Document to standardize planning, funding, and execution of IT projects in line with national digital economy goals.

Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, the Director-General of the Bureau of Procurement, highlighted the significance of standardizing IT Project Bidding Documents. He alleged that some organizations use IT projects to siphon public funds, taking advantage of the intangible nature of IT components. To combat this, the Bureau of Procurement has developed a standard bidding document for IT procurement. Adedokun emphasized the need to avoid corruption, duplication of IT projects, and ensure transparency and accountability in the award of IT projects.

The Auditor General of the Federation, Shaakaa Kanyitor, announced plans to conduct a performance assessment on the impact of the IT clearance guidelines on the economy. Meanwhile, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, commended NITDA’s efforts to standardize IT project implementation and expressed readiness to support the integration of the clearance guidelines into financial processes.

The introduction of the IT Project Clearance Guideline in 2018 marked a significant step towards promoting transparency and accountability in IT project implementation. With the revised guidelines, NITDA aims to ensure that IT projects in Federal Public Institutions are executed efficiently and effectively, contributing to the country’s digital economy goals. As the agency continues to work towards standardizing IT projects, it is essential for all stakeholders to comply with the guidelines to avoid wastage of resources and promote the development of the IT sector.