The director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi, has touted the innovations of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) – ‘NANONASENI’ technology and the ‘NASENI CertVeri System’ – as having the capacity to boost revenue generation and contribution of the ICT sector to Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP).
He made the inference when he received a high-powered delegation from NASENI led by its executive vice chairman, Prof. Mohammed Haruna at NITDA’s headquarters in Abuja.
Abdullahi, who commended the agency’s innovations expressed NITDA’s readiness to enter into a partnership with NASENI to implement innovation in Nigeria, saying it’ll help the agency actualise its mandate.
“We are ready to work with you to support you in any way to make sure we achieve this because achieving this initiative is very much like achieving our mandate. Anything you do to develop IT or strengthen the ecosystem translates to you helping us achieve our objective. So, thank you very much”.
While stressing professionalism as the watchword to getting the project underway, Abdullahi described the initiative as timely and called for immediate actions in its implementation.
According to the NITDA boss, the proposed special purpose vehicle (SPV) company, known as ‘NANONASENI’ and the ‘NASENI CertVeri System’, would lead to revenue generation for the country and boost the sector’s contribution to the nation’s GDP, among other benefits.
Also, he advised NASENI to consider engaging the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and other organisations who have already indicated interest in the technology, to speed-up realisation and acceptance of the creative work.
“They need to also join in conceptualising the initiative. This is important because we all want all critical stockholders to have a sense of belonging.”
While assuring the team of NITDA’s commitment to supporting the development of the projects, the DG noted that it is in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s priority of diversifying the economy and stimulating creativity in Nigerians.
Abdullahi lauded President Buhari’s administration, which he observed has initiated multiple initiatives that have challenged the status quo, affected socio-economic activities and improved the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians.
Earlier, Haruna informed the DG that the agency intends to initiate, develop, test and launch the ‘NASENI CertVeri System’, which he believes would allow the Federal Government to offer Nigerians professional and integrated certificate and document verification services simultaneously anywhere, anytime and whenever needed; particularly, embassies across the globe.
He explained that the system would provide integration between NASENI and selected ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) for relevant data-sharing.
“The purpose of helping other organisations or institutions verify documents and authenticate them for persons in real-time is because it will deploy IoT to eliminate document faking and enhance credibility and authenticity.”
While soliciting for collaboration with NITDA, the EVC said the mission is to critically engage on the needed solutions to problems of internet fraud, cybercrimes, terrorism attacks, insecurity and certificate forgeries; matters he noted have been challenging, not only in Nigeria but for nations around the world.
He expressed the hope that the collaborations will be instrumental in implementing both projects.
