The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate and expedite the digitization reform process in Nigeria. The joint effort aims to enhance efficiency and productivity in the country’s digital transformation journey.
According to a statement by NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, the Executive Vice-Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, highlighted the significance of this partnership, which aligns with NCC’s Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) to engage with relevant stakeholders.
Prof. Danbatta emphasized that the MoU would play a vital role in fostering enabling policies and implementing institutions, crucial components for successful digital transformation. He further expressed NCC’s commitment to driving broadband penetration, a foundational element for the success of the digitization process.
Danbatta said: “After the process, governance will be paperless, and chief executive officers will be able to deal with mail without necessarily signing most things offline because virtually everything will be done online. Indeed, the transition will be worth it, as the process is associated with efficiency, which naturally results from operating a paperless system of governance or administration at the level of entities such as the BPSR and NCC.
“We attach much importance to the way and manner we collaborate with sister agencies of the government to give translation. To ensure the actualization of that important item of our Strategic Vision Plan is strategic collaboration and partnership, it explains why we are signing this MoU.”
In his response, the Director-General of BPSR, Dasuki Arabi said that the bureau decided to work with the commission in driving the reforms for the adoption of emerging technologies. This, he said, was a result of NCC’s emergence as the first organization to win its Platinum Award, exceeding expectations in the way it conducts its businesses.
“Historically speaking, this partnership had begun in 2016 when the Commission became the first agency of government to undergo the BPSR online Self-Assessment Tool (SAT). At the end of the assessment, NCC emerged as the first agency to be rated Platinum Organization by the Tool, having exceptionally exceeded expectations in all good practices built around nine domain areas.
“The MoU will also help foster a high degree of cooperation between Federal and State governments in improving service delivery. It will also address the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index to significantly improve a safe and secure environment that encourages economic growth and investment,” he said.
Arabi said the MoU would provide a window of opportunity to consolidate efforts to deliver robust and resilient public service that would lead to a well-functioning federal system wherein zero-tolerance for corruption was made practicable.
He added that efforts to improve equitable and unhindered access to government information and services were producing a direct impact on the socio-economic development of the country.
