NITDA hosts Open Govt Partnership Forum, ends co-chair controversy

The controversy surrounding the Government Technology Co-chair has been laid to rest following the recent visit by a high powered delegation of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) led by the Co-Chair, Technology and Innovation OGP Nigeria, Honourable Ejike Njeze to the Director General National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami (FBCS) at the Agency’s Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.

The meeting has two objectives submission, which include the full report on the recently concluded 2nd CyberSecurity Conference to NITDA, and solicit the Agency’s support in driving the Open Government Partnership (OGP), as the industry’s regulator as well as Co-Chair, Technology and Innovation (Representing the Public Sector). The Open Government Partnership forum is chaired by the Federal Ministry of Justice.

The representative of the organised private sector and civil societies organisations, Honourable Njeze, at the meeting, urged the DG NITDA to “step forward and assume his responsibility by providing the relevant support to the OGP Process in line with NITDA’s Mandate”, adding that meeting has laid to rest the controversy surrounding the Government Technology Co-chair.

National Coordinator OGP Nigeria and Special Assistant (SA)to the President on Justice Reforms, Juliet Ibekaku formally presented the OGP National Action Plan document to the DG, stressing that the project was a commitment signed by the President in July 2016 to implement a set of agenda which includes access to information, physical transparency, anti corruption and citizen engagement.

Ibekaku commended Dr. Pantami for ensuring that NITDA as the IT developer and regulator is carrying out the task of providing the platform for technology and innovation to thrive.

The SA to the President on Justice Reforms also commended the DG NITDA for the impressive turn around in IT Compliance among MDAs since his assumption of duty, and urged him to extend his support towards implementing the document.

In his response, Dr. Pantami underscored that technology is critical to running an open government and NITDA is prepared to throw its weight behind the national project as co-chair and in every capacity.

“The Agency possesses the technical competencies required to deliver the mandate and it will not shy away from its responsibilities. We will continue to engage with stakeholders to encourage innovation, build capacities and implement the National IT Policy,” he said.

He affirmed that the OGP forum presented the country an opportunity to fight corruption, foster transparency, encourage and support indigenous technology, drive innovation and ensure compliance in both the public and private sectors, all of which fall under NITDA’s mandate.

On his part, Director, e-government Development and Regulatory Department, NITDA, Dr. Abdullahi Usman Gambo expressed his enthusiasm at the immense potential of the OGP forum and assured the delegation that the agency will embrace its position as co-chair and representative of the Federal Government with professional integrity required.

He declared that the management team will support the DG in the implementation of the report on the 2nd CyberSecurity conference.