The Federal Government has launched National Digital Trustmark for online companies in collaboration with key government institutions like the Corporate Affairs Commission, (CAC) the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) and the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC.
The Trustmark would curb online frauds, identity theft, scamming and forgery and ensure trust, competitiveness, integrity and confidence in Nigeria online and digital business platforms.
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Malam Kashifu Inuwa announced this in Abuja at a news conference, saying that the National Digital Trustmark has become imperative considering the concerns globally over online and e-commerce business activities with Nigerians and in Nigeria.
Inuwa said it was saddening for Nigerians to be classified as scammers and fraudsters especially in relation to how online businesses are conducted, stating that there were times citizens would make payments for goods online only to be blocked thereafter, or cases where whatever citizens purchased online were not delivered according to specifications.
He said the National Digital Trustmark is being facilitated by the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ) and the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, (NACIMMA) to care of challenges in the sector.
He explained that it would come in form of a security seal granted by NITDA for certification and authentification of online or digital business outfits. The security seal would be embossed on the platforms, letters heads and pages for authentication and identification as true registered companies or entities operating in Nigeria with at least one known office.
Federal Govt launches National Digital Trustmark for online firms
He announced that the initiative, though not compulsory would come with charges depending on the size of the business entities and their areas of specialisations, while the portal would be open next for outfits to commence registration.
Inuwa announced at the conference which was attended by the president of NACIMMA, Engr Tijani Ibrahim and Representative of GIZ, Barrister Chinedu that the renewal of the Trustmark digital certification would be done yearly to ensure transparency and accountability of the entire process. He said both the public and private sectors with online businesses would be eligible for the security seal, emphasising that the initiative would eliminate fraud, scams and illicit transactions on Nigeria digital space.
He lamented that online frauds have given Nigeria a bad reputation on the global stage, stating that this happened even when it had been established that some foreign nationals were behind some of the frauds.
The President of NACIMMA, Engr Ibrahim who was represented by his Special Adviser on Digital Economy Trade Group Mr Suleiman A. Audu, said the seal mark a major step towards building a safer , more trusted and globally competitive digital economy for Nigeria.
He assured that NACIMMA in collaboration with other stakeholders especially SMEDAN, NAFDAC, SON, among others, would ensure seamless implementation of the policy, saying that it would be devoid of bureaucratic bottlenecks and other impediments.
