The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has lamented the non-compliance of the Federal Government’s Executive Order on local content development, noting that the worrying implications are that local innovations are yet to be appreciated.
The President of NCS, Prof Adesola Aderounmu, while speaking at a press conference in Lagos, cited the case of Remita, a product of SYSTEMSPECS and an indigenous ICT solution provider.
He disclosed that as of today, the Federal Government has not been able to fulfil its obligation with regard to the services rendered to her through REMITA software.
This, he described as a disturbingly high level of disregard for contracts entered into with indigenous firms compared with the “high level of respect” accorded foreign counterparts.
“Despite official declarations, this in practical terms shows extremely low commitment to the implementation of the ICT Local Content Policy. It does not show much evidence exists of a structured approach to ensure Nigerian ICT firms are prepared by the Government to take advantage of emergent National ICT opportunities,” he said.
Aderounmu added that the Nigerian operating environment is hostile, as the government has little or no direct contribution to the achievements of local IT firms. “When will indigenous ICT firms begin to be treated as equal with foreign counterparts and be accorded the level of respect they deserve,” he asked.
The Nigeria Computer Society is the umbrella body of all IT professionals and organizations in Nigeria, with more than 20,000 members and major interest groups (ISPON, ITAN, ISPAN, NiWIIT, ITSSP, AITP, NITPCS). NACOSS, the student body has about one hundred thousand students.