Adedapo Adesanya
By Adedapo Adesanya
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) will hold a virtual stakeholders engagement on national data strategy on Friday, November 11.
This is happening as the rapid increase in the digital transformation of economic and social activities has resulted in an unprecedented expansion of data collection and usage.
In line with its mandate provided in section 6 of the NITDA Act 2007 to standardize, coordinate and develop regulatory frameworks for all Information Technology (IT) practices in Nigeria, the regulator has developed a draft National Data Strategy (NDS), in line with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) for a digital Nigeria.
In accordance with the NDEPS, which provides a solid foundation for the Nigerian economy to be data-driven, the NDS aims to harness the potential of data for social and economic value creation towards achieving a robust digital economy and ensuring Nigeria becomes a top leader in the global data economy.
The NDS is developed to accelerate the adoption and use of digital technologies, especially emerging technologies, for data collection, validation, storage, analysis, transmission, and reporting.
NITDA noted that once put in place, this will enhance research and innovations, digital services, digital economy, job creation, improved quality of life, social and economic growth and prosperity, global competitiveness and sustainable development.
Additionally, in line with global best practices, the NDS was developed on principles that will ensure fairness in the digital space, stimulate a competitive data market, open opportunities for data-driven innovation and make data more accessible for all.
In view of the foregoing and as part of NITDA’s stakeholder approach to the development of policy documents, the Agency wishes to invite all critical stakeholders and interested parties to a stakeholder engagement for the review of the draft NDS.
The programme will commence by 10 am WAT, and interested parties can join via http://bit.ly/3EfoMqn.
The Draft National Data Strategy is available on the NITDA’s website https://nitda.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Final-Draft-National-Data-Strategy.pdf
