The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami has said that Digital security was imperative to achieve an efficient digital economy in view of the New norm brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr Pantami stated this at the launch of the National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA Digital Centre Building and new NITDA logo in Abuja.
This is in line with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria.
The minister said the centre which is fully equipped to handle emergencies and other concerns as part of the efforts of achieving the focal point of President Buhari which are hinged on security, anti-corruption and economic development.
He said that policies in the ministry included National Strategy and Policy on Digital Economy with eight pillars and the National Broadband Plan, among others.
According to him, the policies need synergy by parastatal agencies under the ministry to ensure its implementation. “We are here to reap the benefits of collective hard work, but there is need to redouble efforts to achieve the implementation of policies that will push for digital economy.” Pantammi said.
He added that NITDA and NCC already have a newly-designated department assigned for digital economy to foster a digital nation, pointing out that the nation’s economy would now be driven by digital economy.
On the change of NITDA logo, Dr Pantami stated that the change became imperative because the evolving nature of Information Technology noting that since the Information Technology policy has changed to reflect the new trend in the sector, there is need to change the logo to reflect the digital policy of the government.
In an address, the Director-General, NITDA, Mr Kashifu Inuwa, said that the new digital centre would house integrated computer emergency response and readiness centre that would enhance national cybersecurity.
He added that it would accommodate the digital multimedia studio for online digital skills and literacy capacity building, and digital conference room for remote collaboration.
“In 2001, NITDA was established to implement the National IT Policy, almost 20 years ago. We all know that IT has been obsolete and evolved into digital.”‘ lnuwa said.
“There were several unsuccessful attempts to review the IT policy before, but within three months of coming to office, the Minister came up with a new policy, the National Digital Economy policy for Digital Nigeria. “The policy expanded NITDA’s mandate and made it compulsory to rebrand in line with the new policy. He added..
The NITDA Boss said the new brand is a paradigm shift from IT-centric to digital-centric NITDA, which includes a new logo, new vision, new mission, and new core values,” he said.
The commissioning was graced by the Chairman, NITDA Governing Board, Dr Abubakar Saidu, Executive Vice Chairman of Nigeria Communication Commission, Prof Umar Garba Dambatta, Managing Director, Galaxy Backbone, Prof Muhammed Bello Abubakar, Managing Director, Nigerian Communication Satellite limited, Dr Abimbola Alele, Head Universal Service Provision Fund, Mallam Ayuba Shuaibu and other top government functionaries.
