The Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN) is leading calls for global technology companies and certification providers operating in the country to accept the Naira as a mode of payment for their services, in a move aimed at deepening inclusion and affordability for Nigerian professionals.
Dr. Lare Ayoola, President of ITAN, who disclosed this on Tuesday in an exclusive interview with Technology Times in Lagos, highlighting the financial challenges faced by Nigerians seeking internationally recognised IT certifications priced in foreign currencies.
Ayoola says ITAN is engaging local institutions and stakeholders to drive this goal under the Information Technology Certification Optimisation Programme (ITCOP), an initiative designed to make certification training accessible to no fewer than one million Nigerians.
“I thought there was a law that said, if you’re doing business in this country, you must accept Naira,” Ayoola says in the Technology Times interview, as he urges international Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and certification bodies to comply with Nigeria’s currency regulations.
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“I thought there was a law that said, if you’re doing business in this country, you must accept Naira,” Ayoola says in the Technology Times interview, as he urges international Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and certification bodies to comply with Nigeria’s currency regulations.
The ITAN President says that denominating certification fees in dollars or other foreign currencies is placing these programmes beyond the reach of many Nigerians, limiting access to career advancement opportunities in the global technology space.
“We want to make certification for our professionals in IT, communications, software, and cyber security affordable and in line with the earning power of Nigerians,” he says.
Ayoola notes that enabling payments in the local currency will not only promote inclusivity but also strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy by empowering more people to acquire globally recognised technology skills.
According to him, affordability is key to building the capacity required to meet both domestic and international demand for tech talent.
“If we focus on professional qualifications and make them affordable,” Ayoola says, “we’ll make a big difference in Nigeria and abroad.”
He explains that by addressing pricing barriers and supporting local professionals through cost-effective certification pathways, Nigeria can position itself as a leading exporter of IT talent to the global market.
The ITAN President says the programme seeks collaboration with global certification providers, the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to scale implementation nationwide.
He also hints that ITAN will be also be joining forces with Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), key industry groups in the telecoms industry, where he sees rising demands for certifications by professionals keeping paces with the rapid technology evolution among carriers, network operators and industry players.
According to him, partnerships with these institutions will enable ITAN to build a stronger, competitive technology workforce capable of driving innovation and sustaining growth within Nigeria’s fast-evolving digital economy.
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