The Minister of Communications, Dr Isah Pantami, has called on government agencies to ensure they obtain the International Standards Organisation (ISO) certification in line with the Federal Government’s agenda of digitising its activities.
Pantami made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during the ISO 27001: 2013 certificate award presentation by Digital Jewels to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
He particularly urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST) and Nigerian Communications Satellite (NICOMSSAT) to ensure they all obtain the ISO certifications in order to achieve the Federal government’s agenda.
Pantami disclosed that the Federal Government’s target was to digitalise its activities by 2023, adding that was achievable through certification of all agencies and parastatals of government.
“ It is the order of the President to the Ministry and the target of the ministry to digitise government services by 2023.
“ Certifications like this will help in achieving this objective, so I urge all parastatals under NITDA to work in synergy so that we can achieve the agenda.
“ This can only be achieved by all the Chief Executive Officers of these parastatals working as a team because only collective efforts can help us achieve this,’’ he said.
He enjoined NITDA, as a regulatory agency, to come up with a framework to ensure the realisation of digital policy of the government.
The minister noted that NITDA was the first government agency in the IT sector to attain this certification and added that it was quite commendable.
He also noted that Africa was doing well in the IT sector globally by having the highest percentage of ISO certification, an indicator of advancement.
“ Africa as a continent is doing well and we are advancing in the IT sector, we have the highest percentage of 74 with 224 institutions in Africa ISO certified.
“ Achieving this feat is not easy, it comes with a lot of procedures and processes which have to be complied with,’’ he said.
He called on NITDA to work hard in sustaining and retaining the certification, saying it was more important than obtaining it.
“ This certification has placed you on a global map as a government institution, it will help your service delivery and also help you fight cyber insecurity, so work hard in retaining it.’’
ISO certification is a professional evaluation and certification awarded by an international body, ISO,comprising representatives from various national standards body.
An ISO certification is an international seal of approval which goes to prove the credibility of an organisation’s services globally.
ISO 27001: 2013 certification is an international certification awarded to an Information and Technology (IT) organisation that ensures that information security management system of the organisation are accessed globally.
