The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to deepening inter-agency collaboration as he received the Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr Charles Ebuebu, on a courtesy visit aimed at exploring strategic partnerships in digital transformation and regulatory frameworks across Nigeria’s media and technology sectors.

Speaking during the meeting, Inuwa stated that digital transformation and regulation are inseparable in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving digital ecosystem. He also emphasised that digital transformation is not a one-off project but a continuous journey that requires constant improvement, periodic target-setting, and organisational adaptability to emerging realities.

According to the NITDA boss, the agency deliberately embarked on a transformational journey to reposition itself from a traditional civil service structure to a high-velocity, smart public sector organisation. He noted that when the agency began its transformation drive, a significant percentage of its workforce came from the mainstream civil service, bringing with it entrenched bureaucratic mindsets and rigid operational practices. This, he said, necessitated a conscious decision to change the narrative.

“More than 70 or 80% of our staff came from the mainstream public service, and we know the mindset of public servants, so we started changing that narrative by focusing on people, resetting mindsets, building capacity, and fostering a culture that supports innovation and accountability,” he noted.

Inuwa explained that NITDA’s approach to digital transformation was anchored on three core pillars: people, processes, and technology. He stressed that no matter how advanced technology may be, it cannot deliver value without the right people and efficient processes in place.

He further disclosed that the agency undertook a comprehensive cultural reorientation programme, supported by cultural audits and initiatives aimed at creating psychological safety within the organisation.

“This was critical to enabling staff at all levels to freely contribute ideas, challenge existing processes constructively, and engage in horizontal and vertical collaboration without fear of reprisal,” he stated.

He noted that culture remains the foundation upon which any successful strategy must stand, adding that “no matter how good a strategy is, without the right culture, execution will fail.”

Providing further insight into the transformation journey, he explained that NITDA adopted an integrated framework encompassing people, process, culture, content, and technology. Through this framework, the agency identified and addressed deeply rooted bureaucratic tendencies such as command-and-control structures, risk aversion, and excessive dependence on directives from senior leadership.

According to the DG, “these reforms paved the way for trust-based delegation, inter-departmental collaboration, and process optimisation”.

He further revealed that NITDA documented over 396 internal processes and subsequently streamlined them to eliminate inefficiencies and repetitive executive approvals. He cited examples where routine operational tasks that previously required multiple approvals at the Director General’s level were redesigned to empower departments as gatekeepers, allowing leadership to focus on strategic priorities.

This process optimisation, he said, also created the foundation for automation and the integration of digital tools.

On capacity building, the DG disclosed that all NITDA staff underwent mandatory artificial intelligence (AI) training, reinforcing the agency’s position that AI is a tool for enhancing productivity rather than replacing human capital.

He noted that staff across departments are now leveraging AI to improve workflows, generate ideas, and transition from manual administrative roles to AI-enabled system administration.

Inuwa added that technology deployment at NITDA is deliberately driven by business value rather than trend adoption, stressing that technology must support clearly defined processes and organisational objectives.

He announced that the agency has developed a comprehensive digital transformation playbook, capturing lessons learned from its journey, which it is willing to share with NBC and other government institutions.

To advance collaboration with NBC, Inuwaproposed concrete areas of partnership, including sharing the agency’s digital transformation playbook, delivering tailored training and capacity-building programmes, enrolling NBC staff in digital literacy initiatives developed with global technology partners such as Cisco, and providing technical support for modernising regulatory frameworks to align with the evolving digital and media ecosystem.

Earlier in this remark, Mr Ebuebu called for deeper collaboration between the NBC and NITDA, describing the partnership as long overdue in the face of rapid media and technology convergence.

He noted that although he has had several insightful interactions with the DG NITDA in the past, it was important to institutionalise cooperation between both agencies to address emerging developments in media, technology, data governance, and Nigeria’s digital future.

While calling for closer ties between the two agencies, he emphasised that a strategic partnership between NBC and NITDA is critical to effectively regulate the evolving media ecosystem, harness technology for content creation and distribution, promote the growth of local media, facilitate knowledge transfer, and protect Nigeria’s cultural and national interests.

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In a significant boost to Nigeria’s digital economy, foreign digital companies, including major players like Google, X (formerly Twitter), Microsoft, and TikTok, have collectively paid over N2.55 trillion (approximately $1.5 billion) in taxes during the first half of 2024. The announcement was made by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), which highlighted the importance of robust regulatory frameworks in ensuring compliance and promoting revenue growth within the sector.

In a statement the spokesperson of NITDA, Hadiza Umar applauded the compliance of the tech giants with the Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms and Internet Intermediaries, a set of guidelines jointly issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), and NITDA itself. This Code aims to enhance online safety and effectively manage harmful content on various platforms.

The compliance report for 2023 indicates that these platforms have made significant strides in addressing user safety. Key statistics from the report include more than 4.12 million registered complaints, over 65.85 million pieces of content taken down, approximately 379,000 items removed and subsequently re-uploaded after user appeals, and about 12.1 million closed or deactivated accounts.

NITDA noted the positive impact of these efforts in creating a safer digital environment for both Nigerian and non-Nigerian users. Despite the progress, NITDA emphasized the necessity for ongoing collaboration and innovation to tackle emerging challenges in the digital space. The agency remains committed to working with stakeholders to enhance user safety measures, promote digital literacy, and ensure transparency and trust within the online ecosystem.

Tech Digest reports that this substantial tax contribution by foreign tech firms signals the growing influence of digital enterprises in Nigeria’s economy and highlights the effectiveness of regulatory initiatives in fostering a responsible digital landscape.

By PRNigeria

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TECHDIGEST – There appears to be no end in sight for Nigeria’s Digital Switch Over (DSO) journey as the paucity of funds, lack of political will and new technicalities may have stalled its progress.

The Guardian understands that the DSO phased roll-out plan has been jettisoned owing to the perceived tediousness of the process, slowness, funding issues and fast-evolving technology. In its place, the Federal Government plans to execute a uniform roll-out, the date of which is not certain because of the change of administration.

In the phased rollout, only about eight states have been covered, albeit partially. The states include Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Rivers, Kwara, Enugu, Osun and Plateau.

The plan by the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, as championed by the then Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), was to complete the process by December 7, 2022.

While Lagos officially transited from analogue to digital broadcasting on April 29, 2022, and hoped to complete the process by October of the same year, the timeline was not achieved, according to sources privy to the process.

According to the timetable, Kano followed on June 3, Rivers on July 7, while Yobe did July 15, 2022. The DSO was done partially in those states as only some cities have been covered.

After then, other fixed dates were Gombe (August 8, 2022), Imo (August 24, 2022), Akwa Ibom (August 31, 2022), Oyo (September 9, 2022), Jigawa (September 23, 2022), Ebonyi (October 10, 2022), Katsina (October 12, 2022), Anambra (November 4, 2022) and Delta (November 11, 2022). But they did not materialise as expected with other states penciled down for completion on or before December 2022.

Indeed, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) originally agreed with 54 African countries that analogue TV should be switched off by 2015. Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) has reached 90 per cent of homes in only 14 countries.

Findings by The Guardian showed that switchover is completed in Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi and Eswatini (Swaziland), while the biggest economy in the region, Nigeria, is yet to find its DSO footings, almost a decade into the process.

According to DigitalTV Europe, while referencing research by Dataxis, sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) as a whole, will continue to see slow growth of DTT homes through 2027, with analogue broadcasting remaining on air in many countries. It noted that the proportion of digital terrestrial households will increase from 38 per cent today to 41 per cent by 2027, with Direct To Home (DTH) remaining the most widely used TV distribution technology.

READ ALSO: TNW Conference 2023: NITDA Unveils N10bn Funds For Startups, Hubs, Others 

The research showed that while government switchover programmes have stalled or progressed slowly, commercial broadcasters have used digital transmission to increase their reach with payTV services. DTT accounts for 24 per cent of direct pay TV today.

As stated earlier, so many factors have been attributed to the slow progress in Nigeria’s DSO journey.

A source that worked with the immediate past administration gave further insights into the delay in analogue to digital transition in the country.

He said, having realised that doing state-by-state switchover had become very tedious and costlier, there was an agreement reached with StarTimes for the utilisation of their facilities and technology, already spread across the country. The source said the agreement was reached but had not been implemented before the change of government.

“You know, before, we were launching state-by-state. I think about eight states were launched. It was realised that that would not work. So, the team decided to reach an agreement with StarTimes because it (StarTimes) already has its mast and other facilities spread across the country. So, it was agreed that the facilities should be used to roll-out simultaneously across the country, which is almost like fast-tracking the process. The agreement was signed. It was at the level of implementation that the Buhari-led administration left office.”

According to him, if the agreement was implemented early, the DSO could be completed within a month. He, however, said there are still some huge financial implications to the entire process.

“Startimes has their mast installed already on the ground. All we need to do is to appear at the centre whenever we are ready and turn on the switch and everybody can begin to enjoy it. In other words, we are almost there. The entire country can be launched in one day because of the Startimes agreement. But then, there is a financial implication. Startimes, whose mast we are going to use need to be paid and not small money after all,” the source said.

On the supposed financial implications to Startimes, the source said, while Startimes didn’t charge because of the (Startimes/NTA alliance), it only agreed in principle that their facilities could be used and with a caveat that FG was still owing for the earlier launches.

On when the DSO project can be completed, he said it depends on the new government. According to him, if a new minister is appointed tomorrow, “he will be briefed and then decide on how to go about it. It can ask for a new agreement.”

He said should the new minister ask for a new agreement, many options are open to him. He said he can decide to use a satellite, in which case, masts are not needed. He said though some African countries use Startimes facilities, some areas still have to depend on Satellite, “the new minister can also look at the usage of Satellite to consolidate on Startimes facilities.”

According to him, another challenge confronting the DSO is the fast-evolving technology. “The thing is that when DSO was conceived, technology was not at this level. Right now, technology has moved beyond the level we were some 10 years back. So, the architecture for DSO is supposed to have changed and even become cheaper now. Then, you virtually needed to have a mast everywhere, but now, I don’t think that is necessary. You can decide to use Satellite directly, DMT/DSB, which is what Arise is using.

“The stakeholders have to come together, review the White Paper (which has to change) because that is the grund norm for DSO. The White Paper is obsolete because of evolving technology. So, what can be done now is to bring all stakeholders together, work out a new modality that will work, faster by far and then agree and bring an addendum to the White Paper and then roll out immediately,” he added.

Efforts to get NBC’s Director-General, Balarabe Shehu Ilela, to provide an update failed, as he did not pick up his calls nor did he reply to text messages sent to his mobile phone. However, an official of the parastatal, Susan Obi, who spoke with The Guardian, simply said the DSO process was on, “we shall brief the media soonest on new developments around the transition.”

From StarTimes’ perspective, the Chief Executive Officer, Tunde Aina, said as a PayTV operator in the country, StarTimes has covered more than 70 cities in 35 states including Abuja. Aina said DSO is about FreeTv and is now deployed in about eight cities, “but even then, the eight cities are not well covered yet. The cities are Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, Ilorin, Enugu, Osogbo and Jos.”

Aina confirmed that there was an MoU signed between StarTimes and ITS on the DSO project, but that it had not been implemented.

“The idea of MoU is that because Startimes has already rolled out virtually in all the country, ITS (FreeTV) can be available wherever the company is. But there are so many technical issues that have not been resolved till this moment, including agreed charges,” he said.

Secondly, he said FreeTV, though it is free to the subscribers, the channels on the platform are supposed to pay the signal distributor. He said for example, Channels or TVC, is supposed to pay the Signal Distributor to carry their signals because the idea of the switch over or off is that no station will own a transmitter, that is no station can transmit their signal anymore because those transmitters are analogue transmitters.

“So, now that you are on a digital platform, you have to be carried by a carrier and in this case, ITS or Pinnacle. They are the two licensed Signal Distributors. It will amaze you that they have not even agreed on tariffs. That is ITS does not even know what they can earn, that is no income so to speak. This DSO journey in Nigeria has been on for close to a decade and is funded by Federal Government and the government cannot continue. So, they need to agree and fix a rate between broadcasters and the Signal Distributors that is when the process can take off properly and that has not been fixed. It is the responsibility of the Federal Government to do that, precisely NBC,” Aina stated.

According to the CEO of ITS, Sadeeq Omeiza Musa, the task force is seriously looking for a way forward, the hindrance has been a lack of funding.

Musa said DSO is a huge project and it is not easy to put money into broadcasting and transmission equipment across the country.

“The last idea we had from the Ministerial Task Force was that what we needed to do was to be able to cover the whole country by 70 per cent, then the remaining one, we will deploy DTH (Satellite) because, at some point, we will need Satellite to transmit the signals to the digital transmitter.

“So, the major challenge is that to acquire these digital transmitters is tough because they are very expensive and you know that people switching from analogue to digital are still using analogue transmitters. So, the idea is to also integrate local content, but that is not to say that even on satellite, you cannot integrate Satellite through IT. It can’t be done, but DTT is still very important since the frequency we are using for this project is leased to telecoms because the idea is to migrate everybody to a digital platform on DTT to maximise the spectrum and also at the end of the day, lease the spectrum through NCC to the telecoms so that we have the advantage of having a good Internet penetration,” he said.

Aina, who appreciated the former Minister of Information and Culture for all his efforts, said during his tenure, the team went to AFREXIM Bank in Egypt in early 2022 to seek funding for the project, while also awaiting funding from the sales of spectrum through the Nigerian Communications Commission.

According to him, the belief is that if we use the set-top box of Startimes, customers can get 30 channels to be watched free of charge when they pay N1,500 activation fees and “if you are interested you can go into their bouquet and subscribe per month. Same thing would happen to the Set-top box of FreeTv too. On the set-top box of FreeTV, you will be able to watch the content of PayTV when you pay a monthly subscription, almost 30 free channels. So, every Nigerian would now be able to watch television without stress.”

On the cost implication of DSO, a member of the TaskForce, who preferred anonymity, said the challenge is that Naira is not stable.

According to him, for a full site to come up with all the equipment as of when we started this DSO journey, $1 million (N250 million) for generators, transmitters and others. So, you make provision for the next 10 years because technology keeps evolving.

However, currently, he said for a site with a generator and others, “we should be looking at about $500 million. This also depends on who is bringing the transmitter. The reason I said the government may not be able to solely fund the project, there must be collaboration and FG must collaborate with us.

Meanwhile, more awareness would need to be carried out in Lagos and indeed other parts of Nigeria for people to be aware that there is a transition from analog to digital broadcasting in the country. This is even as there are no traces of some of the accredited designated centres for the sales of set-top boxes (STB) for FG’s FreeTV.

Checks on the Ilasamaja; Ikeja and Lagos Island centres showed that nothing appeared to have started in these centres. A businessman, Funso Gbadebo, told The Guardian that he is not aware of any digital transition, “not to talk of the FreeTV initiative of NBC.”

Alaba Market-based importer, Melvin Ndubuisi, also said he is not aware of the switch-over plan by the Federal Government. “What is switching over? I am just hearing this for the first time. I think there should be more awareness that the Federal Government wants Nigerians to participate in the programme,” Ndubuisi stated.

On this, the ITS boss said The FreetV is on, but the other obstacle is that there is no awareness around it.

He called out NBC, which he said is the facilitator of the DSO project to create more awareness aggressively. “We have two transmission sites in Lagos, Pinnacle has one and we too at ITS have one at Tejuosho in Yaba and that covers about 50-kilometer radius. That means that if you go to Badagry and you have our Set-top box, you will get our signal in that place. But the issue is how many people are aware? The awareness is crucial and NBC needs to do more than what they are doing now,” he stated.

The Guardian

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TECHDIGEST – The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy and Chairman of the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC), Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), chaired the 58th Regular Meeting of the Council on Thursday, 4th August 2022.  

The NFMC resolved to remind members of the public, Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Governments that by the provisions of Section 28 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 (NCA 2003), the NFMC is the apex body for Radio Frequency Spectrum Administration in Nigeria.

In a statement available to TechEconomy, Dr. Femi Adeluyi, Technical Assistant (Research & Development) to the Minister, said the meeting resolved, accordingly, any radio frequency-based equipment that is to be installed by any individual, private company, Government or Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) for the purpose of management of the radio frequency spectrum, in whatever guise, must be cleared by the NFMC. 

READ ALSO: Pantami Confirms Irregularities on IPPIS, Vows Review

“For further clarification, commercial private companies/organisations should contact the statutory regulatory bodies, i.e., National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for commercial broadcasting and telecommunications entities, respectively.

“The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy manages radio frequency spectrum that are used by entities such as Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Governments, Embassies, Diplomatic Missions, Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs), individuals and private companies/organisations for non-commercial purposes. 

“Furthermore, management of the Radio Frequency spectrum by the Ministry includes planning, assignment, coordination, resolution of harmful interference complaints, monitoring and licensing of radio frequency spectrum and radio communication stations for the category of users mentioned above.

“No civil MDA, individual, private, or public entity is authorized to install radio frequency-based equipment for the purpose of monitoring or managing the spectrum of its organisation or sector unless it is cleared and duly authorized by the NFMC.

“Entities that already have such installations must hand them over to the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and arrange on how to collaborate with the Ministry to achieve their objectives. Refusal to declare and handover such equipment or systems constitute security risk to the nation and may therefore attract severe sanctions and possible prosecution. 

“The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy will continue to support the development of Nigeria’s digital economy in a safe and sustainable way”, the statement reads.

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TECHDIGEST – The Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries and Conditions for Operating in Nigeria released by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) will restore sanity in Nigeria’s internet space and regulate practices of social media platforms in the country.

Before this development, various laws and guidelines on information and communications technology (ICT) have been in place but none, specifically, governed the social media platforms and the users.

The Nigerian Press Council is one of the regulatory bodies created to see to objective information dissemination, ensure objective press standards, and maintain high professional ethical standards for the Nigerian Press. Being a shield for Nigeria’s print media, part of its functions revolve around standard research, proper training of journalists, accreditation of programmes in tertiary institutions amongst others, and ensuring that numerous agencies and bodies regulate their operations to ensure professionalism.

It is also noteworthy that the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) regulates and promotes ethical advertising practice, and acts as the conscience of society and watchdog for the consumers.

READ ALSO: Meta, Google, Twitter Agree To Fight Fake News Or Risk Fines

Primarily, APCON determines who an advertising practitioner should be and also the standard of knowledge and skill required to be attained by persons seeking to become registered members of the advertising profession and reviewing those standards from time to time.

Similarly, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act regulates all terrestrial radio and television broadcasting services and licenses cable and direct-to-home (DTH) services. As part of the National Mass Communication Policy, it also sets standards regarding the content and quality of materials being broadcast throughout Nigeria.

It is noteworthy that all these agencies and regulatory bodies are responsible to guarantee that the contents and materials that go out to the public do not offend their sensibilities, ensure sanity and promote national unity in the country.

The advent and proliferation of online activities e.g. social media became a cause for concern among many stakeholders on the need to formulate policies that will guide the use of the internet in Nigeria without interference in the freedom of expression. Thus, until now there were no rules guiding the activities and operations of social media platforms.

Thus, NITDA whose mandates include developing guidelines for electronic governance, and the networking of public and private sector establishments unveiled the latest draft code that would guide small and large service platforms operating in Nigeria’s cyberspace.

The free use of the internet and proliferation of content have created gaps for economic saboteurs to incorporate their services online without paying taxes and other financial rights owed to the government.

The spread of fake news, hideous crimes, and dissemination of harmful content on the internet over the years have also become tools of abuse by many criminally-minded persons, who leverage insecurity to propagate their illicit activities.

Hate speeches, misinformation, disinformation, and online propaganda have become dangerous humours that many online platforms now host and continuously pollute the public space with unwholesome contents breeding tension among people and communities.

Therefore, the NITDA code of practice to a large extent will ensure that internet intermediaries abide by Nigerian laws and do not deploy or modify their platforms in any way that could constitute illegality, and undermine national security or interfere with the application of the guidelines for the good of the Nigerian society.

To maintain orderliness in the online ecosystem, the code of practice advises platforms to acknowledge receipt of toxic content and remove the content within a reasonable time frame. Thus, platforms should exercise due diligence to ensure that no unwholesome content is uploaded to their platform and must act upon receiving notice of the presence of unlawful content on the platform from a user or authorized government agency.

Social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Tiktok, and others are expected to publish on their websites, application, or both, the rules for access or usage of the platform by any person or entity. This will serve as terms and conditions of use to avoid violations and thereby act accordingly before dissemination of damaging contents.

Lately, most outrage and protests have underlying links to social media mobilization and motivation. For instance, endSARS rhapsody on Twitter, sex videos on the rampage on Facebook, and gory images of ritual killings/violent attacks depict the repulsive use of the online platforms. Promoters of disturbing images that can’t go through traditional media due to censorship now use the internet platforms to push their horrible agenda.

As such, platforms must take measures to mitigate as well as clarify in community rules and guidelines how children and adults can be protected from harmful content. Taking into cognizance that users who fail to comply with the rules of the platform will have their access terminated.

It is worthy to note that the code of practice has compelled all large service platforms with users of more than one thousand to have physical contact and outreach in Nigeria with details of their outlet on their platforms. Also, it has become mandatory for each service platform to appoint a liaison officer who shall stand as a communication channel between and government and the platform in case of any eventualities. This will help to create employment opportunities.

I call on NITDA and stakeholders to cooperate and ensure compliance with the code of practice to enable platforms and users to experience social and economic wellbeing in Africa’s leading digital economy.

Zeenat O. Sambo
Wuye District, Abuja

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TECHDIGEST – The month of June 2022 is quite an interesting period with a lot of new developments in the area of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), especially at enhancing digital economy.

It was the month President Muhammadu Buhari announced the composition of the Presidential Council on Digital Economy and E-government with membership from all geopolitical zone of the country.

Similarly, in the same month, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) released a draft Code of Practice for Online Platforms as a guide to prevent any kind of catastrophe in the country’s ICT sector.

Many essential areas of public-sector involvement, such as government services to citizens, healthcare, and education, have undergone digital transformation. Providing e-government services to businesses and citizens is one of the primary initiatives government is undertaking to digitalize the economy and society as a whole.

On the Council of E-Government, President Buhari directed the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Ali Isa Pantami to chair the council on his behalf and give regular updates.

The World Bank defines e-government as the use of information technology by government departments and other government bodies to improve business processes and service delivery. After the internet, the notion of e-government was introduced to the public sector.

Although it shares many characteristics with e-commerce in terms of providing e-services and online transactions, e-government goes much beyond e-commerce in terms of technical and commercial qualities.

READ ALSO: NITDA, JICA Open Application For Second Cohort Of iHatch Startup Incubation Programme

As Information Technology (IT) advances, many countries’ e-government systems will become “Government 2.0,” including Web 2.0 features. According to research, e-participation is a vital measure of a country’s level of e-democracy and can be connected to e-government development. E-government will enable government agencies to centralize decision-making and purchasing thereby helping to reduce costs.

Certain activities will be centralized to eliminate inefficient, costly redundancies and wastage. There are cost-saving in operating a virtual agency rather than renting (or building from scratch) an office and paying for all of its business utilities.

Furthermore, the cost of providing services online and in an electronic format eliminates the need to purchase large quantities of paper. E-government fosters a better way of life through representative and participatory democracy, transparent, open, and collaborative decision making, and close relationships and interactions between government, business, and citizens.

E-government has the potential to improve the government and citizens’ honesty, efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability in their interactions.

But e-governance is only possible if the government is willing to embrace it. Because it is not a one-day task, the government must develop and implement plans before implementing them.

Investment in telecommunication infrastructure, budget resources, ensuring security, monitoring assessment, internet connection speed, and raising public awareness about their importance are some of the measures.

Meanwhile, in line with the directive of President Buhari, NITDA to develop a Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries, in collaboration with relevant regulatory agencies and stakeholders.

The agency is set to make public presentation of the draft code on Online Platforms for further review and input. This latest development is coming up five months after the Director-General of NITDA, Mr. Kashifu Inuwa at the 2022 National Protection Week in January had announced that the agency was working with key stakeholders for a code of conduct in social media engagements in Nigeria.

The Code of Practice was created in collaboration with industry stakeholders such as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), along with contributions from tech giants like Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Google, and Tik Tok.

The Nigerian government has recognized that many public and private organizations are gradually moving their businesses and information services online. That the internet is transforming the way we conduct our daily activities. That children have a significant presence online without the necessary supervision. That the information technology systems have thus become a critical infrastructure in our society that must be safeguarded, regulated, and protected against online harm.

The Nigerian government is conscious of the need to collaborate with authorized government agencies and relevant stakeholders to develop practices that will preserve and promote societal values in a democratic society and make the digital ecosystem safer for Nigerians. The ICT industry is and will continue to be, one of the largest employers.

From societal and economic perspectives, the NITDA’S Code of Practice has numerous advantages towards job creation, revenue generation, ensuring national security and promoting the image of Nigeria as a strong economy.

According to NITDA, all Platforms whose users are more than one hundred thousand (Large Service Platform) shall, be incorporated in Nigeria, have a physical contact address in Nigeria, details of which shall be available on their websites or Platforms, and provide the necessary human supervision to review and improve the use of automated tools to strengthen accuracy and fairness, checkmate bias and discrimination to ensure freedom of expression and privacy of users.

This means Twitter, Meta applications (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp), and Tik Tok should have built “microwork” technologies that enable breaking jobs into little components that can then be outsourced to contract employees. Contractors are frequently based in developing countries.

Microwork platforms enable businesses to dramatically reduce costs while still gaining access to qualified labor. Other industries, such as internet payment systems are affected by this trend.

As it stands, Nigeria is on the plus side of benefitting from quality governance and the digital economy as we see visible changes and significant efforts from the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and its agencies/parastatals.

Fom Gyem
Wuye District Abuja

The post That E-Government Council and NITDA’s Code of Practice appeared first on Tech Digest News.

TECHDIGEST – The National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, is one government organisation so-much concerned and sincerely worried over rising insecurity, in the country.

It has, and is still doing everything possible to swiftly nip in the bud, emerging security threats, especially in the nation’s cyber cum digital ecosystem.

As the Director General of NITDA, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has been in the forefront of unveiling sound administrative and regulatory policies, driving the growth and transformation of Nigeria’s tech sector, in particular.

One them is the ‘Code of Practice’ for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries and Conditions for Operating in Nigeria.

READ ALSO:NITDA’s ‘Code of Practice for Online Platforms’ and National Security

The Code of Practice was developed in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), as well as input from Interactive Computer Service Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Google, and Tik Tok, among others.

Other relevant stakeholders with peculiar knowledge in this area, also, were consulted such as Civil Society Organizations and expert groups, in the process of the Code’s development.

Afterwards, the results of this consultations were duly incorporated into the Draft Code of Practice.

“The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is mandated by section 6 of the NITDA Act 2007, to standardize, coordinate and develop regulatory frameworks for all Information Technology (IT) practices in Nigeria.

“In accordance with its mandates, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, directed the Agency to develop a Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries (Online Platforms), in collaboration with relevant Regulatory Agencies and Stakeholders.

“In line with the directive, NITDA wishes to present to the Public a Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries for further review and input,” says the agency’s spokesperson, Hadiza Umar.

It is interesting to note that the Code of Practice is aimed at protecting fundamental human rights of Nigerians and non-Nigerians living in the country.

It will also help to define guidelines for interacting on the digital ecosystem, in line with international best practices, as obtainable in democratic nations such as the United State of America, United Kingdom, European Union, and United Nations.

A global fact that is indisputable is that activities conducted on Online Platforms wield enormous influence over man’s society, social interaction, and economic choices.

Therefore, the Code of Practice launched by NITDA will assist in recalibrating the relationship of online platforms with Nigerians, in order to maximise mutual benefits for the nation, while also promoting a sustainable digital economy.

In addition, the NITDA Code of Practice has outlined vital procedures of safeguarding the security and welfare of Nigerians, while interacting on online platforms.

While targeting to demand accountability from online platforms regarding unlawful and harmful contents on their platforms, the NITDA Code of Practice, already has established a robust framework for collaborative efforts to protect Nigerians against online harms, such as hate speech, cyber-bullying, as well as disinformation and/or misinformation.

To ensure compliance with the Code of Practice, it is heartwarming to learn that the Federal Government has set out conditions for online platforms operating in the country. And these conditions are ones that will be addressing issues around legal registration of operations, taxation, and managing prohibited publication in line with Nigerian laws.

The Draft Code of Practice, which is available on the NITDA website via https://nitda.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Code-of-Practice.pdf for review and comments from the public, is one that will diammetrically sanitize the online/social media space in Nigeria, which appears to be toxic and contaminated at the moment.

Hence, its release at this defining moment of our nation’s history, hallmarked by venal insecurity, and other challenges of national development amid a silent technological revolution ongoing in the country’s digital ecosystem, championed by the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami is indeed very timely and APT.

Mahmud Abdulsalam
Deputy Editor
PRNigeria

The post A timely ‘Code of Practice for Online Platforms in Nigeria appeared first on Tech Digest News.

By Mukhtar Ya’u Madobi

TECHDIGEST – In a bid to ensure that sanity is maintained in Nigeria’s internet circuit, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), recently unveiled a Code of Practice for Online Platforms.

The move is aimed at regulating the online platforms’ mode of operations to checkmate the eruption of any sort of crisis in the nation’s ICT sector.

The Code of Practice was developed in collaboration with relevant stakeholders in the industry, including the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), as well as input from Interactive Computer Service Platforms (also known as Tech Giants) such as Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Google, and Tik Tok amongst others.

With rising technological advancement together with the internet, the media has now turned the world into a village where news and information can be transmitted to a large heterogeneous society within the shortest possible time.

Making this feat available is the emergence of online social media platforms (such as Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, Reddit etc.). The aforementioned social media platforms have made it feasible for information to be disseminated without impediments.

READ ALSO:Finally, NITDA Issues Code of Practice for Online Platforms Operating in Nigeria

While tapping from the benefits and dividends brought about by these Tech Giants platforms, stakeholders and regulators should not be unmindful of the negative effects associated with their unrestricted activities, especially in a multicultural society like Nigeria which is segmented along religious, ethnic and regional divides.

Over the years, online social media platforms in Nigeria have been utilized as perfect avenue for disseminating dangerous information capable of compromising national security, which threatened the existence of the country as a corporate entity.

Promoting this ugly trend among the citizens is the lack of proper mechanism or legal framework by the government or any other institutions to oversee and regulate the conduct and affairs of these international Tech Giants.

However, with the novel NITDA’s code of Practice, it is apt to say that the situation is on course to change for a better narrative.

Quoting NITDA; “The Code of Practice is aimed at protecting fundamental human rights of Nigerians and non-Nigerians living in the country as well as define guidelines for interacting on the digital ecosystem.

“This is in line with international best practices as obtainable in democratic nations such as the United State of America, United Kingdom, European Union, and United Nations.”

It is worrisome to learn that our public space is continuously being polluted on a daily basis with unwholesome contents capable of heating up the polity. These include but not limited to hate speeches, fake news, misinformation and disinformation and a host of others.

Agitators and other ethno-religious bigots have been utilizing social media handles for their vicious campaigns capable of inciting genocidal violence in Nigeria. It is on this note that last year, the Federal Government was left with no other choice than banning the operations of micro-blogging site, i.e. Twitter due to their prominent role in transmitting ‘dangerous contents’ with potential to distort public peace and security of Nigeria.

To that effect, it can be recalled how the prominent role played by social media platforms had aggravated the October 2020 youth EndSARS protest in Nigeria where a lot of fake news and inciteful comments circulated via Twitter and Facebook were able to project what started earlier as peaceful demonstration to an upheaval. A lot of civilians and security forces were killed, while private and public properties worth billions of Naira were equally destroyed.

Apart from that, it is on record that, scrolling through the pages of our social media handles will leave a right thinking person wondering on what direction does the future of our younger generation is facing. Because, images as well as footages on how how social vices and other form of crimes can be committed are being shared.

It is still fresh in our minds, how Soliu Majekodunmi, an Ogun teenager who was arrested in January, 2022, on the account of slaughtering his girlfriend, Sofiyah, for suspected money ritual purposes made a daunting revelations that he was able to learn and comprehend the practice through Facebook.

Also, various tactics and strategies on how to commit stealing, yahoo – yahoo, kidnapping, cultism etc. are being presented in form of comedies across our media platforms all in the name of entertainment while on the other hand ignoring the negative effects it might constitute on the minds and cognitive processes of many people especially the younger ones who might consider it as normal doings.

In addition, our eyes and brains are also being bombarded with gory images and videos recorded from the scene of violence which continue to harden our minds, thus feeling unshockable with the unfolding of these kind of brutalities and barbaric acts. We consider it as normal happening as well as order of the day. And this is not unconnected to how we are being too much exposed to it on social media handles.

Therefore, it is not surprising on why recently there is unacceptable spate in the incidents of mob justices in our societies. At the event of this heinous act, an accused person will be lynched and equally set ablaze while the footage will go viral on social media for other callous and senseless mob in another location to watch and later serve as blueprint for them in conducting similar episode.

Again, another dangerous form of internet-assisted crime is the ‘cyberbullying’. Kidnappers and other cohorts of criminals are in the fond of recording the process of how they torture their victims and sending the content to public space via social media for promotion without any restrictions from the service providers or handlers.

We can recall how the intending couple of Nigerian Army were raped and killed en route to Imo State for their wedding ceremony and the tragic footage of this barbaric acts was transmitted on social media by the perpetrators. For how long are we going to continue to live with this moral decadences with online platforms at the epicenter of promoting this campaign at free cost? Something must be done to stem the rising tides of these cybercrimes.

Therefore, this Code of Practice instituted by NITDA has sets out “procedures to safeguard the security and welfare of Nigerians while interacting on these Platforms. It aims to demand accountability from Online Platforms regarding unlawful and harmful contents on their Platforms. Furthermore, it establishes a robust framework for collaborative efforts to protect Nigerians against online harms, such as hate speech, cyber-bullying, as well as disinformation and/or misinformation.”

This intervention by NITDA is timely especially with the approach of 2023 general elections where the social media will be heavily utilized for electioneering campaigns of politicians. Because, it will go along way in restricting the appearance of contents capable of heating up the polity.

NITDA has no doubt performed a wonderful job for coming up with this sets of standard procedures especially after due consultations with the affected Online Platforms and other stakeholders and agencies in the industry.

Nevertheless, it is at this juncture I will seize this opportunity to call the attention of NITDA so as to consider incorporating the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) as part of the stakeholders for this watershed national assignment.

Being an agency responsible for regulating the operation of print media including newspapers, journals and magazines in Nigeria, thus, their contributions and role can never be downplayed especially at this era of digitization where every print media houses has since established online platforms where publics can just click the button and get access to their news and reports as the events are unfolding.

This is necessary as it will add more value and reach to the campaign so as to achieve the desired goals and objectives.

All in all, it is necessary for NITDA to leave no stone unturned in ensuring the outright implementation of the procedures by these Online Platforms as stated in this Code of Practice. In the same vein, legal frameworks should be used to sanction any affected platform who fail to abide by these ethics as enshrined in the Code of Practice.

Mukhtar, a Staff Writer with the Emergency Digest, Wrote from Wuye, Abuja.

The post NITDA’s ‘Code of Practice for Online Platforms’ and National Security appeared first on Tech Digest News.

TECHDIGEST – National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Issues a Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries and Conditions for Operating in Nigeria.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is mandated by section 6 of the NITDA Act 2007, to standardize, coordinate and develop regulatory frameworks for all Information Technology (IT) practices in Nigeria.

In accordance with its mandates, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, directed the Agency to develop a Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries (Online Platforms), in collaboration with relevant Regulatory Agencies and Stakeholders.

In line with the directive, NITDA wishes to present to the Public a Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries for further review and input.

The Code of Practice is aimed at protecting fundamental human rights of Nigerians and non-Nigerians living in the country as well as define guidelines for interacting on the digital ecosystem. This is in line with international best practices as obtainable in democratic nations such as the United State of America, United Kingdom, European Union, and United Nations.

READ ALSO: SABRE2022:NITDA Wins African PR Award For Excellence

The Code of Practice was developed in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), as well as input from Interactive Computer Service Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Google, and Tik Tok amongst others.

Other relevant stakeholders with peculiar knowledge in this area were consulted such as Civil Society Organizations and expert groups. The results of this consultations were duly incorporated into the Draft Code of Practice.

The new global reality is that the activities conducted on these Online Platforms wield enormous influence over our society, social interaction, and economic choices. Hence, the Code of Practice is an intervention to recalibrate the relationship of Online Platforms with Nigerians in order to maximise mutual benefits for our nation, while promoting a sustainable digital economy.

Additionally, the Code of Practice sets out procedures to safeguard the security and welfare of Nigerians while interacting on these Platforms. It aims to demand accountability from Online Platforms regarding unlawful and harmful contents on their Platforms. Furthermore, it establishes a robust framework for collaborative efforts to protect Nigerians against online harms, such as hate speech, cyber-bullying, as well as disinformation and/or misinformation.

Similarly, to ensure compliance with the Code of Practice, NITDA also wishes to notify all Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries operating in Nigeria that the Federal Government of Nigeria has set out conditions for operating in the country. These conditions address issues around legal registration of operations, taxation, and managing prohibited publication in line with Nigerian laws. The conditions are as follows:

Establish a legal entity i.e., register with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC);

Appoint a designated country representative to interface with Nigerian authorities;

Abide by all regulatory demands after establishing a legal presence;

Comply with all applicable tax obligations on its operations under Nigerian law;

Provide a comprehensive compliance mechanism to avoid publication of prohibited contents and unethical behaviour on their platform; and

Provide information to authorities on harmful accounts, suspected botnets, troll groups, and other coordinated disinformation networks and deleting any information that violates Nigerian law within an agreed time.

The Draft Code of Practice is available on the NITDA website via https://nitda.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Code-of-Practice.pdf for review and comments from the public.

The Federal Government wishes to reiterate its commitment towards ensuring Nigeria fully harness the potentials of the Digital Economy and safeguard the security and interest of its citizens in the digital ecosystem.

The post Finally, NITDA Issues Code of Practice for Online Platforms Operating in Nigeria appeared first on Tech Digest News.

TECHDIGEST – Twitter seems to be itching to resuming full operations in Nigeria, as report indicates the micro-blogging platform has met the six conditions imposed on it by the Federal Government.

The Technical Committee raised by the government to resolve the impasse between the two parties is fine-tuning the offers by the micro blogger before making a final recommendation to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The President is also awaiting the report of the committee to lift the ban it imposed on Twitter on June 4, last year.

It was learnt that the President has agreed in principle that Twitter’s social networking operation be restored in Nigeria.

There were, however, indications yesterday that the government plans to amend the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act to include Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and other social media platforms.

Investigation by The Nation revealed that Twitter has complied with all the terms given by the government to restore its services.

The conditions agreed to by the firm are:

• Open an office in Nigeria
• Have a country representative
  Register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)/get National
• Broadcasting Commission’s licence
  Payment of fair taxes
• Sensitive to national security and cohesion. It must not undermine the nation’s security
• Train Nigerian IT personnel and strategic intelligence officers on how to report twitter abuse /infractions noticed by the government.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “From the records, Twitter has finally met six conditions set by the Federal Government for the lifting of the ban on its service in Nigeria as at the close of business in 2021.

“The operation of Twitter will now be fully regulated, including opening of office and deployment of a Country Representative.

We can now hold an officer responsible for any infraction.

“Twitter only requested that the Federal Government should allow it to open the office in 2022 because there was no provision for it in its last year’s budget.

Since we are in a new year, we are expecting that the office will take off soon.

“With payment of taxes, we are hopeful that the government will earn enhanced revenue from Twitter. This ban has helped to correct the lapses of the past. For instance, Twitter has been raking huge cash from Nigeria without legal backing and compliance with our revenue laws.

“Although it was alleged that Nigerians have lost over N6billion to the ban but the Federal Government has lost much more in revenue.

“In spite of recourse to VPN by some users in Nigeria, Twitter revenue slumped considerably because this alternative does not fetch income to it.

“Now, the era of impunity is gone. Twitter must register with CAC and operate in Nigeria as a business concern which it is in other parts of the world.”

Source: Techeconomy.ng

The post When will Twitter resume full operations in Nigeria? appeared first on Tech Digest News.