Telecom
NITDA, SON Partner to Raise Bar on IT Standards in Nigeria
A new dawn for IT standards is set to emerge with the readiness for synergy and cooperation between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the Standard Organization of Nigeria, SON.
L-R: Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General of NITDA and Malam Faruq Salim, Director General of SON during the MoU signing in Abuja.
This was disclosed by Director Generals of the two institutions during a courtesy call on Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi of NITDA by Malam Faruq Salim of SON, where they both agreed on the need for MoU between the two organizations to cement the evolving relationship.
The NITDA DG emphasizes the need for mutual understanding in the area of developing standards, capacity building and certification in IT sector which is a mini set of the national standard of the SON.
Mallam Abdulllahi said; “this is important because the NITDA Act 2007 states that the Agency is to work with SON to develop standards.”
He added that development of standards is captured under the developmental regulations pillar of NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2020-2024).
“Our understanding of regulation is to help the service provider and protect the consumer, not stiffen innovation or to be an obstacle to businesses”, Abdullahi explained.
Abdullahi opined that it is not enough to sign an MoU, but it is more important for NITDA and SON to explore possible areas of trainings in other to exchange knowledge and ideas.
He reasoned that both Agencies can benefit from each other’s wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise.
He said, “as an Agency whose first core value is People-first, we are trying to be customer-centric. Therefore, cooperation is key in whatever we do”.
Earlier, the DG SON, Mallam Salim while giving his remarks said; “the meeting is to map out a path for NITDA and SON in developing standards and complementing each other where necessary.”
He said hopefully the two organizations can cooperate in our management system trainings and certifications, as well as in our standards writing, and enforcements, because we have the teeth by law to help you enforce the law where your hands are tied.
“We have the provisions by law, to prosecute individuals or companies that transgress”, said DG SON.
The Acting Director, Standards, Guidelines and Frameworks (SGF) of NITDA, Mr Olawunmi Oladejo, while contributing to discussion brought to fore the Rule Making Process (RMP) of NITDA said, the rule making process is strictly followed as it clearly states that stakeholders must be carried along in the development of any standards, guidelines, frameworks and regulations. And in doing this, he added, “NITDA is trying to ensure compliance more than enforcement”.
A three-man committee selected from the two organisations that will work out the modalities for engagement and collaboration was also inaugurated.
Nigeria’s technology company, Globacom, has extended warm felicitations to Nigerians on the occasion of the 2024 Christmas celebrations.
In a goodwill message released in Lagos, Globacom urged Nigerians to embrace the spirit of love and kindness during the festive season, especially in the face of prevailing economic challenges.
The company emphasized the importance of practicing the teachings of Jesus Christ, particularly the virtues of obedience to God and loving one’s neighbor as well.
“Christ taught many virtues including obedience to God and loving one’s neighbour as oneself”, the company said, adding, “Now is the apt time to practise these teachings by sharing with the needy”.
Globacom also encouraged Nigerians to extend the conviviality of Christmas beyond the festive season by fostering love, peace, and harmony, as demonstrated by God through the birth of Jesus Christ.
Assuring its customers of uninterrupted services throughout the Yuletide period and beyond, Globacom urged them to take advantage of its innovative products and services to stay connected and share the memories of the season with loved ones.
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have ordered Deposit Money Banks and Mobile Network Operators to settle the long-standing N250bn USSD debt dispute before January 2, 2025.
The CBN and NCC also directed banks to pay the pre-Application Programming Interfaces (API) debt before July 2, 2025.
They also ordered that post-API debts be settled before December 31, 2024.
The directive was issued in a joint cirular titled, “2nd Joint Circular of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigerian Communications Commission on the Resolution of the USSD Debt Issue Between Deposit Money Banks and Mobile Network Operators.”
The circular dated December 20, 2024, was signed by Oladimeji Taiwo, acting director of the Payments System Management Department, CBN, and Chizua Whyte, head of Legal and Regulatory Services, NCC.
The regulators said, “In view of the foregoing, the CBN and the NCC hereby direct DMBs and MNOs as follows: 1. That 60 per cent of all pre-API invoices must be paid as full and final settlement.
“Payment plans (lump sum or installments) must be agreed upon between a concerned DMB and MNO by January 2, 2025. Installments must be based on equal monthly payments, with full payment due by July 2, 2025.
“DMBs must pay 85 per cent of all outstanding invoices issued after the implementation of APIs (i.e., February 2022) by December 31, 2024.
“Similarly, 85 per cent of future invoices must be liquidated within one month of service.”
According to the regulators, the transition to end-user billing will be activated only for DMBs and MNOs that comply with the payment conditions cobtained in the circular.
CBN and the NCC said they would provide further guidance on public enlightenment initiatives related to the transition.
The regulators also directed MNOs to implement the “10-seconds rule” for USSD invoicing.
This implies that any session lasting less than ten seconds will not be billable.
The regulators added, “Failure to comply with the terms outlined in this directive will attract necessary sanctions, ensuring that both DMBs and MNOs uphold their obligations.”
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled a draft regulatory framework aimed at addressing fraud, spam, and other challenges in the Application-to-Person messaging sector.
The telecom regulator made this announcement in a statement.
The proposed framework, which was introduced during a virtual Stakeholders’ Forum, is said to be a key step towards enhancing the sector’s integrity and ensuring a fair, transparent environment for all parties involved.
The draft framework, presented by Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman, NCC, who was represented by Chizua Whyte, NCC’s acting head of legal and regulatory services, seeks to regulate the A2P messaging space.
The A2P messaging, used for notifications such as bank alerts, promotional campaigns, and government updates, has become a vital communication tool in Nigeria.
However, the sector faces significant challenges, including consumer protection concerns, fraud, and data privacy issues, as well as an unequal distribution of value within the ecosystem.
“The international A2P messaging space in Nigeria faces gaps that have led to issues such as fraud, spam, and data privacy concerns. These challenges threaten the sustainable growth of this communication tool,” the NCC said.
The proposed framework aims to address these challenges by protecting consumers, promoting fair competition, and holding service providers accountable.
“This forum marks a pivotal step towards addressing these challenges. We are here to engage with all stakeholders—operators, aggregators, businesses, service providers, and consumers—to refine the framework and ensure it meets the needs of the entire ecosystem.”
The NCC stressed the importance of inclusivity and collaboration in creating an effective regulatory environment.
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