Nigerian National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Act of 2007

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Act of 2007 is a framework for the establishment of NITDA. It promotes the development, regulation, and standardisation of information technology (IT) practices in Nigeria.

The agency is tasked with overseeing IT development in Nigeria, ensuring that IT activities in both public and private sectors align with national goals.

The agency’s core responsibilities include:

• Developing frameworks for IT research, standardisation, and coordination across Nigeria.
• Evaluating IT systems and practices nationwide, ensuring compliance with national standards.
• Promoting digital access, especially in underserved rural and urban areas.
• Developing guidelines for e-governance and electronic data interchange across various sectors like commerce, education, and government.
• The agency is responsible for creating IT parks and offering incentives to boost IT development. These parks will promote IT use in all spheres of life and enhance private sector investment in the IT industry.

The act establishes a National Information Technology Development Fund, which will be used to finance NITDA’s activities and support IT projects across the country.

NITDA operates under the governance of a board that is responsible for formulating policies, appointing staff, and managing the development fund. The board is empowered to create and enforce regulations, ensuring that IT standards are upheld across various industries.

The Act further permits NITDA to engage in collaborations with other government bodies, private entities, and international organisations. These partnerships are designed to promote IT development in Nigeria, with a particular focus on encouraging investment and establishing frameworks that maintain the country’s competitiveness in global IT standards.

NITDA is also in charge of overseeing the management of Nigeria’s country code top-level domain (.ng), ensuring that its operations adhere to international best practices.