We’re For Technology Transfer, Pantami to Enterprise Ireland Visitors

Dr Isa Pantami, director general of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), reemphasized the Agency's commitment to support technology transfer, capacity building and domestication of foreign IT companies in Nigeria.

Dr. Pantami gave this assurance during a meeting with the representatives of Irish Universities and Institutes of Technology, who came under the aegis of Enterprise Ireland at the Agency's Headquarters, Abuja.

The Director General revealed that NITDA offers scholarship programme to Nigerian youths in areas of IT or any related IT courses to study in foreign countries to acquire IT knowledge, adding that NITDA supports collaboration with reputable Institutions that would provide affordable and quality education to Nigerians.

He however pledged the Agency’s support for local content technologies, solicited for more collaboration between Nigerian IT companies, and their Irish counterpart.

“Nigeria’s population provides a market full of opportunities for IT companies willing to domesticate and operate fully in Nigeria”, he added.

Mrs Gerald Gavin, of Limerick Institute of Technology earlier, revealed that the main aim of their visit was to pave way for more collaboration between Nigeria and Ireland, to boost the IT sector of both nations.

Ireland is a leading country in terms of education, with a long history of educating Nigerians in many professions, it is a global leader in ICT and the 2nd software exporter in the world, 9 out of 10 global ICT companies have a base in Ireland, she said.

On the other hand, Mr Eddie Scully, informed the meeting that education in Ireland is relatively cheap compared to other European Nations; there is a synergy and link with the Industries and other businesses in Ireland that allows for practical experience while studying.

Our education system and laws have been reviewed to allow International students after completion of studies to work and live lawfully in Ireland for a maximum period of 2 years, he added

Enterprise Ireland is the government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets.