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Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State, has launched the first-ever statistical data analysis software package developed in Africa, the ValueStats Statistical Package (VSP).
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The software, created by Prof. Enyi Patrick Enyi, a lecturer at the university, is expected to save Nigeria $1 billion annually by reducing reliance on foreign alternatives.
Speaking at the unveiling, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ademola Tayo, represented by former Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sunday Owolabi, hailed the event as a “monumental accomplishment for the continent.”
He said that the VSP is unique and superior to existing foreign packages, such as those from China, Japan, and India, due to its specific modules tailored to Nigeria’s environment and needs.
He encouraged students and lecturers to adopt the software, highlighting its cost benefits and ease of use.
The President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Davidson Alaribe, represented by Prof. Godwin Oyedokun, commended Prof. Enyi for his innovation and pledged the institute’s support.
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Prof. Enyi expressed his motivation to develop an African-specific package, noting that existing foreign software often failed to meet the unique needs of the continent.
“This is the first time an African has produced a statistical package,” said Prof. Enyi. “We are doing this to make a difference. The software is user-friendly, menu-driven, and automatically generates graphs, unlike foreign packages that require manual coding and additional steps.”
The VSP, which took two years to develop, costs $40 compared to the $280 annual fee of foreign packages like SPSS, potentially saving Nigeria millions of dollars.
Prof. Enyi stressed that this breakthrough demonstrates Africa’s capability to solve its socio-economic challenges through innovation and collaboration.
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