*…says govt must unlock potentials of indigenous solutions

To develop local capacity, attain standardization and package made in Nigeria software to international standards, the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON has called on the Federal Government to establish national software development fund, NSDF, through the Bank of Industry (BOI) at an interest rate management fees of less than 5% for software companies and professionals in the country.

The ISPON President, Mr. James Emadoye who stated this in his Nigerian Independence anniversary speech in Lagos said that the NSDF when fully established should be administered by the BOI.

While calling on the government to unlock the potentials of local solutions and unplug the low hanging technology fruits, the ISPON President said that the NSDF if established would build an estimated 500,000 developers in three years at large scale IT workforce, as well as empower entrepreneurs, startups, and IT professionals.

To make Nigeria an IT capable country in the knowledge society, he said that Nigeria must establish a Standing special curriculum drafting committee for primary, secondary and tertiary level of education in Nigeria, adding that the committee should constantly retool the curriculums.

He further said that State should retool all lecturers and civil servants to deliver digital dividend through inclusiveness in the emerging information society (IS).

“The e knowledge Olympiad is here and Nigeria as the most populous black nation in the world must step forward to be counted and digitally ready at all levels, if she must survive the emerging critical challenges, traumatic impact as well as secure the opportunities and benefits presented by ‘globalization order’ of the 21st century.

“There is no excuse therefore for anybody to complain on the need to adopt made in Nigeria software for all of our businesses in government, education, industry and the military. We must make concerted effort to develop, consume and enthrone made in Nigeria products in all facets of our lives”

Calling for e-government skill acquisition for all government policy makers, strategists and political leaders to drive social inclusiveness, Emadoye pointed out the urgent need for a distinct national software policy and strategic framework for Nigeria.

“The comfortable mantra seeking to explain the inability to designate special funding scheme to promote innovation and Youth empowerment through Start-up Development on the grounds of lack of realistic collateral for lending opportunities, is an insult to the pioneers of our Technological aspiration, IT and Software industry, and indeed, to all Nigerian entrepreneurs who are battling to overcome the monumental challenges of our local environment”, he said

He lamented that how a million dollar paid out for software solutions would have created several employment opportunities for the teaming jobless Nigeria youth when such monies are spent in acquiring made in Nigeria software products.