NITDA, UNILAG Sign Historic MOU For LLM In ICT Programme

TheNigerialawyer reported in July that discussions between NITDA and the University have reached advanced stage for the commencement of specialty degrees in Law to bridge law practitioners’ skills in the field. Speaking at the brief event held at the VC’s Office, the Director-General of NITDA, Dr Isa Pantami, stated that it is a necessity to regulate Nigeria’s ICT sector, which cannot be done effectively without having ICT Lawyers, adding that to develop ICT, you require ICT Professionals, to regulate ICT. In his words: “It is indeed historic for me to be here in Unilag. This is the first time for me to be here physically. I have read and heard a lot about the developments in this University which is among the first generation university and has kept with the pace of developments in the educational and ICT space. “Secondly, I came here to visit our scholars in the University and sign the MoU between NITDA and the University of Lagos “I consider the MOU as something very important as it relates to ICT law. We have serious challenge in the area of cyberlaw or ICT law because as we all know NITDA was established in 2011 to implement a national policy of year 2000. Six years Later NITDA Act was passed. “Therefore, part of our strategy to develop IT is award scholarship to brilliant Nigerians. We have been implementing this policy and where the challenge lies in the Information Technology regulations, “You can only regulate with ICT lawyers; if not, you will find it difficult to enforce or implement regulatory rights. Through this programme we want to have sufficient number of ICT lawyers to make sure the sector is protected”. Dr. Pantami said that, in today’s world, ICT is inevitable, it is an enabler in all aspects of life, there is need to develop capacity locally so as to regulate the sector effectively in the near future. On his part, the Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe expressed appreciation to the Agency for partnering with the Institution. The VC also solicited for technical support from the Agency to aid in upgrading the Campus’s Innovation Centre to a World Class Centre. Prof Ogundipe also led the DG and management Staff of NITDA on tour to the Institution’s Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Centre. Speaking on the MoU, the VC said, “What you have done with this MOU is landmark and that is what other parastatals are supposed to be doing. We expect parastatals to domesticate their Ph.D. programmes. “I want to appreciate NITDA for what you are doing. I want to assure you that we have embraced it and will add value to it. We also look forward to more inclusive collaboration between UniLag and NITDA in the areas of ICT development. He also sought the DG’s magnanimity to invest in other Unilag programmes such as the examinations centre that needs to be further equipped. He said UniLag’s programmes align with NITDA’s drive towards innovations and entrepreneurship in Nigeria. “So, we want you to come in that space and brand the ICT centre as NITDA centre. We have programmes that are domesticated and fall in line with NITDA’s goals in this regard”.]]>