Develop software industry in Nigeria - Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, has expressed the Federal Government determination to create an enabling environment for the growth of the software industry in the country, describing it as the tool that would migrate the nation to a digital economy. Johnson who was speaking yesterday, at a breakfast meeting organized by the Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN) for a delegation of the National Association of Software and Service Companies of India (NASSCOM), in Lagos, said this encouragement would not come through legislation but collaboration and support to operators to ensure growth of the industry.

She said the FG has a vision to create a knowledge as well as resources-based economy, adding that the software sector has the capacity to empower the youth in the country.

The minister said the sector is so important because it remains a huge and untapped market that is ready for investors, stressing that government would support agencies that can achieve it.

"This is where India is very successful and we have a lot in common. We are both developing countries with the population and markets that are fast growing. There is a compelling need for both countries to collaborate." she said.

She also said developing software industry remains a priority for the government, adding that the ministry would grow the critical mass and skills by increasing software engineers in the country and also engage industry players regularly to engender growth in the sector.

"Many opportunities abound here that foreigners see in the market which some of us do not see. We should develop research and grow the demand. We would create IT park that would be a haven for the availability of skills that would support the development of the sector in the country. This can bring about the critical mass I talked about," she said.

On his part, World Bank Private Sector Development Specialist, Mr. Richard Sandall, who spoke on Nurturing ICT landscape in Nigeria, said, though the nation remains the fourth fastest growing economy in the world, this growth has not been translated into jobs.

Sandall said the nation is not a service-based economy but resource based, adding that that remains the reason this growth has not created jobs for Nigerians.

He said the rapid growth in mobile communication is an indication that business can grow in the country, stressing that since the industry changes fast it requires dynamism to keep up with the pace.

Sandall also revealed that the World Bank plans to give a grant of $50 million in five years to be managed by the ministry of trade and investment just as he said there are plans to train 1,500 youth in various communication skills in the country.

Charles Okoh

Daily Champion/20/09/2011