NITDA reorganises registration, certification of indigenous equipment manufacturers

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reorganised the process of registering and certifying indigenous Information Technology (IT) Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).

NITDA disclosed this yesterday and drew the attention of all IT OEMs, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the organised private sector and the general public to the new processes.

Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NITDA, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, explained that the reorganisation became necessary considering the complaints received from consumers of indigenous IT devices.

He stressed that it was also aimed at facilitating and ensuring adherence to global standards, saying this would guarantee the quality and durability of locally assembled devices.

NITDA will henceforth mandate quality after-sales-support, as a significant part of the registration and certification process and as a mandatory part of the operations of indigenous OEMs.

He stated that all previously registered indigenous IT OEMs whose certifications have expired should “note that continuance of sale of machines and equipment not tested and certified by NITDA is a violation of existing rules and procedures of the Agency.

“They are, therefore, advised to initiate the recertification process with immediate effect. We also urge all customers to demand current NITDA certification before devices are purchased from indigenous OEMs.”

Pantami pointed out that other entities that desire to assemble and sell IT devices in the country should also apply to the Agency for registration and certification.
He added that interested entities should note that only NITDA registered indigenous OEMs are entitled to the reliefs and incentives, as contained in the Regulatory Guidelines for Nigerian Content Development in ICT 2013.

The certification process are issued and implemented pursuant to Section 6 of the NITDA Act 2007.

NITDA, he said, was created in April 2001 to implement the Nigerian Information Technology Policy and co-ordinate general IT development and regulation in the country.

“Specifically, Section 6(a &c) of the Act mandates NITDA to create a framework for the planning, research, development, standardisation, application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and regulation of Information Technology practices, activities and systems in Nigeria.

It is also to render advisory services in all information technology matters to the public and private sectors,” he stated.

Speaking recently at GITEX Technology forum and exhibition in Dubai, United Arab Emirate (UAE), Pantami called for investors to tap into Nigeria’s great potential in the ICT sector.

Pantami, who spoke to partnerships and potential investors, said that Nigeria currently has seven local OEMs but they could only meet about 20 per cent of the local demand for computer hardware.