NITPA Decries Lack of I.T. Indigenization

At a teleconference held in March, between NITPA e-Board and two of Nigeria's policy makers - Prof. Ola Ajayi of the Nigerian IT Development Authority (NITDA), and Engr. Ernest Ndukwe of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), it was brought to NITPA's attention that Nigerian policy makers were not aware of the existence of Nigerian-owned IT companies in the US.

The teleconference was initiated to introduce NITPA to key contacts, and to discuss ways and means necessary for effective execution of common goals. In a nutshell, Prof. Ajayi and Mr, Ndukwe expressed gratitude that Nigerians have finally began to organize themselves along this critical professional line.

NITPA expressed its desire to take up the challenge of participating in ALL aspects of I.T. policy making in Nigeria, extending same into project scoping, deliberations, execution and management, and at all levels including private, state, and federal. NITPA further revealed the existence of over 200 Nigerian-owned IT companies in North America, companies in North America, and over 4000 IT professionals of record.

On a serious note, NITPA cited recent studies that indicated inequity in indigenous labor utilization by international organizations including the World Bank, IFC, UN, ADB and others: that only about 2% of indigenous skills are being utilized on "development" projects by these entities while over the past decade, Nigerians have emerged in different IT fields capable of undertaking most of the required IT (and non-IT) work.

In principle, both sides agreed that an IT Indigenization effort was needed. NITPA was advised to first get organized and to develop a skills bank of IT Professionals, and to remain active in related issues ongoing in Nigeria.