NIGERIAN COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION NODITS SERVICOM CHARTER

INTRODUCTION

The Nigeria Office for Developing the Indigenous Telecoms Sector (NODITS) was created on the 5th of July 2021 as mandated by the National Policy for the Promotion of Indigenous Content in the Nigerian Telecommunications Sector (NPPIC) as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) “to drive the development and patronizing- of indigenous content in the telecommunications sector by ensuring the creation of top quality indigenous content to propel the sector”.

The Office is composed of 4 Sections each headed by a team lead to cover the broad aspects of the National Policy for the Promotion of Indigenous Content in the Nigerian Telecommunications Sector (NPPIC) as well as other key areas of National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) and the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025. The Sections and their broad functions are listed below;

1. Technology Development Team
   Skills & Technology transfer, Assembly & Manufacturing, Indigenous Hardware & Software Contents, Indigenous Content Database, Innovation
2. Legal Team
   Guidelines, Standards, Strategies, Frameworks, Legal Reviews of laws, rules, contracts, procurements etc.
3. Conformance & Monitoring Team
   Baselines statistics, Conformance, Monitoring, Reporting
4. Financing & Stakeholders Team
   Inter-Governmental and Industry Stakeholder collaboration, Indigenous Content Advocacy, Enlightenment & Adoption, Investments and Incentives

LOCATION

Nigerian Communications Commission Annex Building,
Plot 1253 Cadastral Zone C06,
Mbora District,
Abuja, FCT.

TEAM LEAD - NODITS

Engr. Babagana Digima
Tel: 09-461- 7125, 09- 461- 7000
Email:

POLICY FOCUS AREAS

The four focus areas are of the NPPIC are Manufacturing; Services & Software for the Telecoms Sector; People, and Research & Development for Digital Innovation & Entrepreneurship.

1. Manufacturing

   The Policy objective is to stimulate the design, development, production, sales and utilization of high quality telecom equipment and services developed by indigenous companies. It will focus on the following items listed below:
   • SIM Cards
   • Smartphones
   • Masts
   • Fibre Optic cables
   • Telecom Equipment

2. Software Development

   The NODITS is responsible for developing a framework to enable Telecom operators with foreign participation prepare and present to the Regulator plans for local manufacturing of foreign sourced software, equipment and devices. Furthermore software and equipment shall be type approved by the Commission before entry into the market.

   Services

   Focus areas here include:

   • Business Support
   • Operations Support
   • Performance Monitoring
   • Network Inventory Management
   • Customer Resource Management
   • Analytics

3. Research & Development

   In order to support research and development efforts aimed at advancing the impact of indigenous content in the telecom sector, the NODITS is responsible for carrying out the following:
   • Identify and streamline local R&D bodies for collaboration.
   • Develop clear R&D programs to be funded and supported.
   • Use earlier developed funding modality to determine whom, how and how much to fund each selected indigenous player, or how to fund a selected R&D and capacity building program.
   • Work in synergy with other R&D funders/supporters to avoid program and project duplication and funding support abuse and/or wastage.
   • Continue NCC funding using the Academia support funding, the Tech Hub support funding and the Innovation Competition funding.
   • Develop a process to support commercialization of research efforts/prototype. Take it from Idea to Market.

4. People

   This area focuses on an emphasizing skill rather than degrees, a support for emerging technologies, local telecom start-ups etc. Specific objectives of this focus area are as follows:
   • Building the skills capacity of Nigerians and the indigenous telecoms companies in order to access opportunities within the sector.
   • Definition of minimum indigenous content levels for projects across the telecommunications value chain and
   • To support the development of the local telecom startup and entrepreneurial ecosystem by making the licensing framework less cumbersome for new entrants and telecom startups.

   Skill and knowledge transfer

   NODITS shall support partnerships with foreign OEMs and foreign Telcos in Nigeria for skills and knowledge transfer. It shall also encourage foreign Operators in Nigeria to provide mandatory knowledge transfer to indigenous firms as Corporate Social Responsibility. By so doing, the skills gap can be bridged within the sector.

MISSION STATEMENT

To achieve substantial Participation of indigenous Manpower and Technology in the Nigerian Telecoms Sector

VISION STATEMENT

To harmoniously integrate Indigenous Content in the Nigerian Telecoms Sector.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Office shall be as mandated by the Policy for the Promotion of Indigenous Content.

1. To vigorously pursue the objectives of the National Policy for the Promotion of Indigenous Content in the Nigerian Telecommunications Sector (NPPIC)
2. To facilitate the achievement of indigenous and local content objectives and targets contained in other policies set Government for the telecom sector
3. To contribute towards development of Guidelines and Regulations for facilitating indigenous content in telecom
4. Proffer innovative ideas and solutions that will support knowledge, skills and technology transfer in the telecom sector
5. The implantation of local content in the telecoms industry will create jobs, promote enterprise development and acquire new skills and technologies

SERVICE DELIVERYY

The Office ensures at all times that services are discharged in consonance with the National Policy for the Promotion of Indigenous Content and the Commission’s core values of integrity, excellence, professionalism, responsiveness and innovation.

The Office also strives to ensure international best practice and peer review.

DETAILS OF STAKEHOLDERS

• Telecom Consumers
• Licensed Telecom Operators
• National Information Technology Development Agency-NITDA
• National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI)
• Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB)
• Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative
• Raw Materials Research and Development Council-RMRDC
• Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority-NEPZA
• Industrial Training Fund-ITF
• Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP)
• National Automotive Design and Development Council-NADDC
• Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission -NIPC
• Standard Organization of Nigeria –SON
• Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Federal Ministry of Science and Technology
• Federal Ministry of Mines & Steel Development
• Federal Ministry of Trades & Investment
• Federal Ministry of Youths & Sports Development
• Federal Ministry of Women Development
• National Office for Technology Acquisition Promotion
• Federal Inland Revenue
• Bank of Industry
• Central Bank of Nigeria
• Nigeria Export Commission
• Nigeria Customs Service
• Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission
• America Towers Corporation
• IHS Towers
• Nigeria Import and Export Bank
• Departments of the Commission
  • Financial Services Department
  • Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement
  • Research and Development Department
  • Digital Economy Department
  • Project Department
  • Licensing and Authorisation Department
  • Legal & regulatory Services Department
• The general public

EXPECTATIONS AND OBLIGATIONS OF CUSTOMERS, STAFF AND MANAGEMENT

To facilitate the deployment of Emergency Communication Infrastructure to promote public Safety Service;

• Be fully informed of the Office’ Servicom Charter.
• Follow the laid down procedures/channels for obtaining required services and information.
• Request/apply timely to ensure necessary processing and action by the Department.s.
• Observe and adhere to laid down rules and regulations.
• Provide sufficient and accurate information when it is required.

The Office’s obligation towards its stakeholders include:

• To create a platform for research and capacity building programs that prepares Nigerians to play a leading role in the sector
• Monitor indigenous content compliance by operators and service providers.
• Proffer innovative ideas and solutions that will support knowledge, skills and technology transfer in the telecoms sector.

Management obligation towards the department:

• The Department relies on guidelines and directives of Management for its operation.The Department expects to enjoy the support of Management at all times and departmental requests for approvals would continue to be treated accordingly.

THESE FUNCTIONS ENABLE US TO:

Efficiently and effectively manage limited resources through:

• The overall Management of the Emergency Communication Centres
• Management and Facilitation of Local and International Events on Telecommunications.
• Workshops and Fora on behalf of the Commission
• Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation

GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM

The NODITS has a mandate to:

• Stimulate the development of indigenous content in the Nigerian Telecoms sector. NODITS will implement the Policy, as well as strategies, standards, guidelines and frameworks aimed at developing indigenous content in the Nigerian telecommunications sector.
• Collaborate and dialogue with stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation of the National Policy on the Promotion of Indigenous Content.

In the event of service failure or non-satisfaction, customers are advised to seek redress by visiting, calling or writing to the Team Lead whose details are given below. All complaints shall be acknowledged within 24 hours and addressed within 72 hours, all things being equal.

FEEDBACK MECHANISM

We welcome and value feedback on our performance to enable us improve on our service delivery to our customers.

Khadijah Muhammad Sani
Nigeria Office for Developing the Indigenous Telecoms Sector (NODITS),
Nigerian Communications Commission Annex Building,
Plot 1253 Cadastral Zone C06,
Mbora District,
Abuja, FCT.
Email:

CONCLUSON

The Office is poised to deliver and sustain excellent service delivery to all stakeholders in order to realize the Office’s Vision in particular and the development of the Nigerian Telecommunication Industry in general. Achieving a local content in an industry is not always a quick fix or a route to achieving short-term benefits. It require planning, coordination, resources and perseverance to improvement, which are often realized in the long term.