…Calls for NIMDA Creation
Institute of Information Management Africa said the Nigerian government must restructure and reposition its Ministry of Culture and Information to ensure that data are efficiently and properly managed.
Dr. Oyedokun Ayodeji, President and Chairman Governing Council of the institute, revealed this weekend at the press briefing of the National Information Management Stakeholders Forum in Lagos.According to Ayodeji, for the Nigerian government to ensure that data and information are strategically and effectively managed it is imperative to establish the National Information Management Development Agency (NIMDA).
“The National Information Management Stakeholders’ Forum would like to recommend the need for the Ministry of Information and Culture to be transformed and repositioned to enable it to take its rightful position as it concerns data, information, records, archives, and contents management in Nigeria.
“A possible separation of the Ministry from Culture and the ultimate establishment of a relevant agency (National Information Management Development Agency (NIMDA) which will be tasked with managing the information lifecycle of data, information, documents, contents and archives generated by all government agencies, ensuring enabling standards, specifications, processes, laws, and policies are in place for a good data and information governance regime in the country.
“Setting the standards and ensuring that qualified and certified personnel are assigned to the management of government data and information. Developing and promoting best practices in government business processes and providing adequate training and monitoring for data and information management personnel in government.
“Ensuring all government MDAs comply with standards, processes, procedures, and specifications as it applies to data, information, records, content, and archives use, classification, storage, collaboration, retention, and disposition.
“Work with other relevant government agencies in ensuring appropriate information management and technology tools are deployed at all government MDAs for effective information security and governance and so on,” Ayodeji said.
While noting that the pace of change and the challenges of the digital era has propelled new opportunities, he also said the industry is facing new risks.
Ayodeji stated that strong leadership, governance and professionalism in data, information, records, contents and knowledge management is key, both to seizing opportunities and meeting the challenges ahead.
Ayodeji added that there is the need for information management professionals in the industry charged with managing the information lifecycle to evolve and assume their rightful position, as Information Management is gross misconceived in Nigeria cannot be overemphasised.
The president noted that government and a good number of organisations are yet to regard data and information as essential corporate assets, with a clear understanding of the difference between Information Technology and Information Management (IM).
He added that there is a need for the industry to effectively and consistently engage the Ministry of Information and Culture, as effective data and information governance will go a long way in ensuring the success of the initiative for an effective National Digital Economy Policy implementation.