The Nigerian Computer Society (NCS) has urged the Federal Government to encourage the development of standard software in the country through funding to the education sector.
According to industry sources, Nigeria loses about $2.8 billion yearly to the importation of information communications technology (ICT) hardware and software. These losses are in form of capital flight out of the country.
NCS President, Prof Adesola Aderounmu, disclosed that the industry operators do not patronise indigenous software developers because their products are usually substandard.
He explained that with the setting up of a software testing facility in Lagos by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), it is hoped that well written standardised software will be made available locally to conserve scare foreign exchange.
Speaking on the sideline of media presentation of the communique of the 26th National Conference and 49th Annual General Meeting of the NCS held at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja, Prof Aderounmu lamented the lack-lustre attitude of student when it came to software writing. According to him, students are no longer interested in learning coding and software writing, adding that they are now interested in cutting corners to make quick money.
According to him, the NCS has been unrelenting in promoting the growth of computer education, adding that facilities are in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and the University of Ibadan.
He stressed that the NCS is now working with the ivory tower, developing a template to develop the requisite software needed to drive Nigeria’s economy to the next level.
Another major challenge he identified was funding. He said funding is at the heart of the project, arguing that if standard software is developed in the country, it could also be exported.
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