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NITDA and Peter Jack’s Can of Worms
Given the significance of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) towards broadening Nigeria’s communication frontiers in the global community, the need to sanitize the agency from the cankerworm of corruption becomes cogent more than ever before.
The ongoing investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Ministry of Communications, and the House of Representatives into the activities of the erstwhile Mr Peter Jack, director general of NITDA, are in sync with this ideal.
In what seem an unbridled ego-flight stirred by a sense of dare, Jack disregarded Ministerial directive that put on hold employment drive at NITDA by flagrantly employing 245.
Without due process, Jack placed them on very high and strategic positions in NITDA and issued appointment letters to them prior to their mandatory interviews, which negates by any stretch of the imagination Civil Service staff recruitment procedures.
A twist in the NITDA 245 staff drama is the allegation of a conspiracy by NITDA’s management to discredit the whole recruitment process under Jack as a kangaroo arrangement by luring some of its gullible members to lie that their employment was subject to monetary inducements.
This move, in the opinion of the NITDA 245 will not see the light of day because there is ample evidence to show the veracity of their claims.
They insist that there exist a comprehensive list of all those who took part in both the oral and written interviews. This includes the few who came through referrals.
Inside sources at NITDA also reveal Jack’s financial infractions as alarming.
Out of the N1.5 Billion earmarked for 2015 personnel budget, only N800 Million was used. This was due largely to the planned expansion in manpower.
In this vein, personnel budget for 2016 was increased to N2.6Billion to accommodate the salaries of the NITDA 245.
Sadly, neither the extra budgetary allocations for 2016 nor the balance from the N1.5Billiion for the 2015 fiscal year reflected on the wage bill of the new staff.
According to sources, towards the end of the 2015 fiscal year, precisely, from December 29-31, 2015, in frenzy to beat the Federal Government’s deadline to MDAs for remittances of unspent monies or budgetary allocations, Jack swung to action and directed NITDA’s Director of Finance to quickly slush the balance from the N1.5 Billion to various staff accounts in order to evade remittance of unspent NITDA’S funds before the end of the year.
That’s not all. It was learnt too that a little over a year ago, the Board of NITDA embarked on an expansionist drive across the six geopolitical zones in the country and made payments for 6 buildings, one in each zone. Uptil now, the buildings are still unoccupied in 2016 due to lack of manpower.
Integral to the 2015 procurement process was the equipping of the 6 zonal offices of NITDA, which has been put on hold by the Minister, Adebayo Shittu in anticipation of a substantive DG.
The argument championed by Jack and his supporters that financial constraints and operational space are twin elements hampering NITDA’s optimal performance, is therefore, inadmissible.
How else do we explain the annual engagement of close to 200 corpers as manpower aid if not in the light of sufficient space? In itself, this action of using corpers as manpower aid contravenes labour law.
As if Peter Jack’s arrant circumvention of government’s directives or NITDA’s statutory responsibilities to the state are not a blatant rape on the Country’s collective yearnings and aspirations for a vibrant and prosperous Nigeria, he resorted to banal publicity stunts in the media to redeem his battered psyche and public image when his can of worms spilled in the public domain with their stark realities via the current investigations.
Such media stunts, if anything, seek to insult Nigerians sensibilities and serve to reinforce the justification of Jack’s suspension from his exalted perch as DG of NITDA based on facts that tally.
However, in the manner of all things Nigerian, it may not be too presumptive to imagine that there will be some form of justice in this matter if the spate of investigations with regard to Jack’s stewardship in NITDA linger more than necessary.
It is almost 3 months since the investigations began, yet none is absolutely certain when they will end and whether the burden of proof of moral and financial culpability will be established against Jack in view of his apparently well-orchestrated propaganda machinery aimed at giving him a clean bill in public glare.
It is certainly an issue political pundits are currently appraising for they are given to the belief that it comes across as the right Litmus test for President Buhari’s vaulted war against corruption.
Buhari’s ‘change mantra’ and anti-corruption war hangs precariously on the balance if NITDA’s can of worms is swept under the carpet on the altar of political patronage.
That, according to observers, will not fit into Buhari’s no nonsense personà and will not curry his significance as a dependable change agent in contemporary Nigeria. So he must leave no stone unturned in his bid to sanitize the system.
The likes of Jack must therefore be brought to book promptly to deter others from following similar paths. Let them have their day in Court!
Equally instructive too is the fact that there is no leadership vacuum in NITDA with the exit of Jack as his hatchet men are bent on making us believe.
Neither is the notion that Jack was not given fair treatment in his suspension by the Honourable Minister of Communications true.
The facts speak for themselves. That he is yet to face the full wrath of the law is an attestation of how porous our laws are.
Under its Acting DG, Dr. Vincent Olatunji who has shown great commitment to shared vision and excellence, which stands him in good stead as a visionary leader, NITDA’s smooth sail onward is assured. Indeed NITDA is being driven at the moment by a gale inspired by leadership savvy, foresightedness, innovation, and recourse to team play courtesy of the vast experience of Olatunji who is poised not only to reposition the agency but redeem its mandate to fast-track an ICT based economy that can compete favourably in the Information Age.
A sad commentary it is that the 245 staff employed by Jack arbitrarily in NITDA before his suspension seem like soar thumbs in the rather vibrant and promising agency due to their non recognition for remuneration by the Ministry of Communications since there is no budgetary provision for them as captured in the Federal budget.
That is the anomaly Jack fostered on NITDA which the current leadership grapples with – how to pacify these floating members of staff whose remunerations are beyond NITDA’s financial leverage.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday, charged five defendants before a Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly hacking into the server of Premium Trust Bank.
The defendants are listed as the bank’s e-payment service manager, Matthew Adeniyi; Kehinde Odeyemi, a nursing mother; Samson Latshin, Bolaji Omotosho and Sunday Okunnola.
They were charged before Justice Alexander Owoeye, on a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, cybercrime and unlawful access to the bank’s database.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Mrs. Zeenat Atiku, prosecutor, alleged that they committed the offence between April and May this year, in collaboration with three others, now at large.
Those still at large are Isa Ismaila, Victor Joshua, also known as ‘Oracle’ as well as one other, simply identified as Humble.
According to the charge, the first defendant unlawfully disclosed sensitive credentials, including the bank’s server IP and domain details, to these parties.
She said this enabled an unauthorised access to the bank’s database and the consequent data breach allegedly resulted in financial gains of $10,000.
The prosecutor also alleged that the defendants attempted to intercept the bank’s network and procured a Hewlett-Packard ProBook 440 G9 laptop (serial No. SN#5CD2473N6G) configured to bypass the bank’s security systems.
The anti-graft agency said the alleged offences contravened the provisions of sections 12(1)(b), 27, 28(1)(b)(c) and 28(3) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024).
Following their pleas, the prosecutor, requested for a trial date and sought an order to remand the defendants in custody.
Meanwhile, the court declined an oral bail by the defence counsel and directed that a formal bail application be filed.
He adjourned the case until June 30, for trial and ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Nigerian correctional centre, pending bail.
The court, however, added that the defence may apply for an earlier trial date, upon filing their bail applications.
Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), the training arm of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has said that it plans to train not less than five million workers in two years.
Mr David Daser, president/CEO DBI,
Speaking at an event in Abuja to mark the organisation’s twenty-one years of existence, Mr David Daser, president/CEO DBI, said that the investment in human capacity building by the Organisation is to ensure that Nigerians are well prepared to compete in the global market.
The event with the theme: “Preparing Today’s Workforce for Tomorrow’s Market”, chronicled the birth of the DBI 21 years ago and the journey so far in a documentary produced by the Agency.
“Today, we commemorate a vision that took root over two decades ago, one that continues to flourish through innovation, excellence, and transformative impact across Nigeria and Africa.
“The Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) was established on May 20, 2004, by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as a Centre of Excellence for ICT and telecommunications training.
“Today, we stand proud with a network of campuses, global partnerships, and thousands of empowered professionals contributing meaningfully to the digital economy.
“We recall with pride that the commissioning of DBI was graciously performed by Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, whose commitment to knowledge-driven development gave this institution a strong and promising start”, the DBI President said.
Mr Daser said that the theme of the celebration, reflects the urgency of the DBI mission in a rapidly evolving digital world.
As technologies like AI, 5G, IoT, and cybersecurity redefine the future of work, DBI, he stated remains steadfast in its commitment to future proofing Nigeria’s workforce.
Not leaving out the architects that laid the foundation of the Institute, Mr Daser said that their legacies must live on.
“We owe our foundation to the foresight and patriotic vision of our founding fathers, notably the late Alhaji Ahmed Joda, former Chairman of the NCC, and Engr. Ernest Ndukwe, former Executive Vice Chairman.
“Their belief in the transformative power of digital knowledge gave birth to this noble institution.
We also honour the past Chief Executives who built the foundation upon which we proudly stand today”, he said.
According to him, upon assuming office in September 2024 as President/CEO, he inherit a resilient institution brimming with potential adding that since then, DBI has recorded several landmark achievements, which including a strategic partnership with Small Business Training Solutions (SBTS) Group to expand digital learning infrastructure.
Other achievements he listed include “the launch of the DBI Global Training Partner Program at our Lagos Campus;
“The ongoing Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction Training Programme across all campuses.
“Graduation of Sightsavers training cohorts in Kano and Lagos.
“The commissioning of the Information Access Centre (IAC) by the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani”.
The Digital Bridge Institute is also working towards the implementation of the NCC-DBI ADEPTI Programm described as a high impact NCC-funded initiative set to commence soon.
Only recently, Mr David Daser, was appointment as chairman of the Digital Literacy Technical Working Group by the Federal Government, through the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), a Development considered a strong endorsement of DBI’s national leadership in the digital literacy space.
“While these accomplishments are significant, they are not ours alone. We remain deeply grateful to our founding and sustaining institution, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), for its vision, guidance, and unflinching support.
“Looking ahead, DBI, through its global network of partners, aims to train five million Nigerian workers, across public and private sectors, in Artificial Intelligence over the next three years.
“This ambitious goal is already in motion, bolstered by the backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Minister Dr. Bosun Tijani, and Dr. Aminu Maida.
“Nigeria is poised to become a hub for AI innovation and training, and DBI is fully committed to making this a reality.
“To this end, we call on all Nigerians, leaders of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), State governors, and local government authorities, to support and partner with DBI in this critical mission. Nigeria must not lag behind in the AI revolution”, Daser stressed.
Like any other human organisation Daser discosed that the DBI has experienced its share of ups and downs over the past 21 years.
“In the recent past, we faced a particularly challenging period during which it became a herculean task to pay staff salaries and allowances.
“Our facilities and office infrastructure across campuses deteriorated, and staff morale declined significantly, leading to a sense of disorientation among workers.
“But beyond these tangible difficulties, there were more complex undercurrents, seasons when the compass between this vessel and its founding lighthouse drifted, ever so slightly, from alignment.
“A fog of uncertainty hung over questions of identity, structure, and status. These internal tides, though rarely seen on the surface, stirred deep within the institutional waters, creating a rift that tested the very bridge we were built to uphold.
“Yet even in such a storm, we did not abandon the helm. Rather, we recalibrated our direction with resolve and mutual respect, understanding that even a well-built compass must sometimes reset to find true north.
He emphasised that the journey back to clarity is ongoing, “but it is steady, principled, and constructive”.
He commended the Federal government for its support and commitment to bridging the digital divide and driving Nigeria towards inclusive digital transformation saying that the future is not just bright, it is solid.
“We assure our partners of our unwavering dedication to effective service delivery, as we continue to foster and sustain collaborative efforts toward making the world a better place for all.
“As we mark 21 years of DBI, we look forward with renewed purpose, to bridge the digital divide and prepare a workforce ready to lead in tomorrow’s marketplace”, he said.
Delivering a lecture on bridging the digital divide: collaborative pathways to ICT work development in Nigeria, Mr Shola Osiloja, lead speaker, said that for over two decades, DBI has stood as a beacon of excellence in ICT education and training in Nigeria, living up to its founding vision as a bridge across the digital divide.
Mr Osiloja who is also the Chairman, sector Skills Council for Information and Communications Technology SSC-ICT, was represented by Mr Emeka Okafor, secretary-Council.
He said that in 2004, when DBI was established by the Nigerian Communications Commission, Nigeria had just witnessed the successful auction of Digital Mobile Licenses.
According to him, Mobile penetration was less than 5%. “The internet and telecommunication was a luxury. Digital literacy was a term unfamiliar to many.
Presently he stated, “We have over 120 million internet users. Mobile penetration exceeds 85%. We have vibrant tech hubs in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and beyond.
“Nigerian startups are attracting global investment.
“This transformation – both national and personal – didn’t happen by accident. It was the result of deliberate, collaborative efforts to build digital capacity and bridge the skills gap.
“Let me take a moment to commend DBI.
For 21 years, DBI has not just trained individuals—it has trained a mindset, From ICT literacy programs to professional certifications, from rural empowerment initiatives to global partnerships, DBI stands as a cornerstone in Nigeria’s digital architecture”, he said.
Quoting the World Economic Forum, he said, “The World Economic Forum estimates that by 2027, 69% of companies globally will accelerate their adoption of AI, potentially displacing 85 million jobs while creating 97 million new ones.
“In Nigeria, the digital skills gap could cost our economy an estimated $11 billion annually in lost growth opportunities-The question before us is clear: How do we prepare Nigeria’s workforce not just for today’s market, but for tomorrow’s?”
Proferring solutions to what must be done to prepare Nigerian workers for tomorrow’s market, the Chairman listed Making digital skills the new literacyand to embed coding, digital marketing, cybersecurity, data analytics, and AI basics from secondary school.
Other suggestions he said include but not limited to, “every citizen must see digital fluency as fundamental as reading or writing.
“Institutionalise Work-Based Learning
Let’s make internships and apprenticeships mandatory in ICT programs. Let schools and startups co-design curricula that are relevant and adaptive.
“
The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector in Nigeria has experienced tremendous growth over the past two decades, significantly contributing to the country’s GDP and transforming various aspects of society.
The sector’s impact on the economy, education, healthcare, and governance has been profound, with numerous organizations and individuals playing key roles in its development.
As the ICT sector continues to evolve, its contribution to Nigeria’s economic growth and development cannot be overstated. The sector has created new opportunities for businesses, improved access to information and services, and enhanced the overall quality of life for many Nigerians.
To recognize and celebrate the efforts of those who have driven this growth, the Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership Awards (ABoICT) will hold its 16th edition on May 24, 2025, at Four Points by Sheraton.
This special edition, tagged “ICT Growth Edition 2025,” aims to honor organizations and individuals who have made significant contributions to the growth and development of the ICT sector in Nigeria.
According to Ken Nwogbo, Editor-in-Chief of Nigeria CommunicationsWeek, the organizers of the event, “Most of these organizations and individuals have consistently been voted by our readers as leaders in their areas of operations, and we have decided to reward them in this special edition.”
The event will feature a keynote lecture by Prof. Adewale Obadare, Chief Visionary Officer, Digital Encode – Cybersecurity and GRC Expert, who will discuss the impact of ICT on Nigeria’s growth and development.
The lecture will highlight the importance of ICT in driving economic growth, improving governance, and enhancing the quality of life for Nigerians.
In his remarks, Nwogbo emphasized the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) in cybersecurity, noting that AI-powered security tools can detect and respond to threats in real-time.
He also highlighted the need for robust data security, ethical AI development, and collaboration among cybersecurity professionals and AI researchers. “Artificial intelligence transforms cybersecurity by automating responses to risks, detecting unusual activity, and even foreseeing possible dangers before they occur,” he said.
The ABoICT Awards ceremony promises to be a grand affair, recognizing the contributions of key players in the ICT sector and celebrating their achievements. As the sector continues to evolve, it is essential to acknowledge the efforts of those who have driven its growth and development, paving the way for a more digitally empowered future for Nigeria.
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