Patronise made-in-Nigeria software, ISPON urges government, private sector

The Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) says it will continue to engage government on the need to patronise made in Nigeria software.

ISPON President, James Emadoye, in a statement on Tuesday, said that made-in-Nigeria software was capable of providing employment for millions of young Nigerians.

Emadoye said ISPON members had performed exceedingly well in the provision of products for the Nigeria software ecosystem.According to him, state governments and some ministries, departments and agencies paid close to six million dollars in software license/maintenance charges.“Fully made-in-Nigeria software is available in virtually every sector of the economy.

“There is virtually no need to pay millions of dollars importing solution with huge maintenance/license charges, when smart Nigerians have already developed these solutions locally.

“It should be noted that a million dollar paid out for software solutions would have created employment opportunities for the teeming jobless Nigeria youths.

“Such monies should be spent acquiring made-in-Nigeria software products,’’ he said.“We must make concerted effort to develop, consume and enthrone made in Nigeria products in all facets of our lives. Only then would we be proud to say we are an independent nation.

The ISPON president said that software was essential for Nigeria to resolve its economic challenges.He said: “In 1960, Nigeria’s population was 45.21 million, but now we have about 200 million people, which is about 400 per cent increase over a period of 56 years.

“How can we govern and manage 200 million Nigerians? How can software play a critical role as harbinger of economic and technological development?
“Software is strategically essential, if not mandatory, for Nigeria to resolve her current and future economic challenges,’’ he said.

According to Emadoye, Nigeria’s wealth creation dynamics and international competitiveness in the 21st century will be significantly influenced by her ability to develop.

The nation’s ability to measure and exploit her intellectual capital (IP) in Information Technology (IT), innovation and creativity will also weigh heavily on her 21st century prospects, he added.

The ISPON chief noted that many of the new business opportunities for Nigerian and African firms would depend on their capacity to develop innovative skills.

Emadoye said that such skills would depend on IT-smart applications, solutions, products and services and respond to the expanding role of science and technology across the economic development ecosystem.He said that the Institute was involved in the `buy/use made in Nigeria software campaign’ across the country.