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L-R: Enterprise Technical Specialist, Intel, Oluwatosin Shada; Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Peter Jack and Regional Director, West, Central Africa, RLG Communications Mr Tosin Ilesanmi, during presentation of license to RLG Communications Ltd in Lagos

The Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Peter Jack, has expressed confidence in the future of a thriving information technology-driven Nigeria. In his first assignment since his appointment, Jack stated this during the presentation of a provisional operating licence to RLG Communications Limited.

The company is the first indigenous African company to assemble laptops, desktops and mobile phones and offer ICT training in computer and phone repairs.

Jack said the company possessed the framework and solutions-oriented approach to manufacturing telephones, laptops, desktops, I- pads and other 21st century tech- products which are locally assembled but with an international appeal.
Presenting the licence to the firm, the NITDA boss said the agency found the company worthy “of this provisional license having in the last one year gone through a series of tests, examinations and checks-all in our set out standard practice, guidelines and regulations procedures benchmarked with best global playing standards.

We are happy to be in partnership for progress and associated with a global ambition and brand as Rlg Communications Limited with presence in 4 African countries and Dubai. We hope they will continually not lag behind in their responsibility to help us develop a rigorous and robust training program, and sustain meaningful continuity in this industry.”
Presenting the license, he added that “we are saddened by the reports of breakdown and malfunction of PC’s assembled in the country.
These complaints do not speak well of the EOMs. We will not hesitate take actions any EOM that fails to meet required standards. Being fully aware of the harsh and adverse environment in which Information Technology companies in the country operate, that perhaps explains why no Nigerian Information company has achieved the CMMI certification. NITDA is poised to reverse the trend by supporting indigenous Nigerian information technology companies achieve this certification thus helping them operate competitively at par with global firms in the international information technology market. I urge RLG Communications to acquaint itself with local content guidelines and provisions and ensure full compliance.”

In the words of the West African Regional Director of the company, Tosin Ilesanmi, he expressed profound excitement and joy over acquisition of the licence. He stated that the company was resolved to “do business in Nigeria with cutting edge solutions, innovations and best practices. The process of acquiring NITDA’s operating license saw us through the lanes of the tedious and tasking road to the application for accreditation which began in 2014.
We feel proud to have come out successful in NTDA’s on-the-spot assessment of our plant, facilities, products which were subjected to rigorous tests carried out on both software and hardware components. Although, there were some observations made on the products which have been rectified within the time frame of the assessment, the general assessment from the certifying body is that our products are world class standards. And on this premise, we have been issued a license. We see ourselves as very lucky having crossed this herculean hurdle in a year. To this end, we as a firm, promise to stand out, adding value because our impulse and strategic thrust for existence is about creating lasting solutions to life through our four major competencies-manufacturing, training, security and community service.”

Besides the product range, RLG is also engaged in capacity building and training programmes, seeing it successfully train over 30,000 youths in mobile phone servicing, repairs, assembling, sales and service delivery, computer programming, hardware, software and entrepreneurship. Another 30,000 are currently being trained in the application of ICT in mobile telephony. These trainings are undertaken at more than 46 centres established in Nigeria, Ghana and the Gambia.

The company seeks to develop best quality technology in the electronic products they assemble in Nigeria and to deliver quality and value to their customers, clients and other stakeholders. The company holds an Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) partnership status with Microsoft.

The company has affiliates and offices in Nigeria, Ghana, China, Dubai, Kenya, South Africa, Angola, Rwanda and the Gambia with far advanced plans to expand into the entire West Africa market and subsequently to the rest of the continent.
The NITDA is saddled with the mandate to enforce standards, guidelines and regulations as contained in Section 6 of NITDA Act 2007.