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FG to Focus on Coys, not Codes in Software Development Plan-Johnson

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Omobola Johnson, minister of Communication Technology
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Mrs. Omobola Johnson, minister of Communication Technology, said that an assessment of the nation’s software industry landscape has revealed that dual points of innovation process and companies, not code are the critical aspects to tackle in order to tap into the potentials.

She made the remark at the ISPON 2013 National Software Conference and Competition in Calabar, Cross River State. 

Johnoson regretted that several billions of naira leave the shores of Nigeria every year as licences and other fees to foreign software companies. 

“This doesn’t have to be. Software Strategies for us as a country must be not only about improving productivity because it also provides an avenue for transforming the economy, creating jobs and creating wealth. So we need to tackle the broader challenge of how we take our promising software developers and software engineers and help them to become entrepreneurs that can take advantage of this opportunity?,” Johnson remarked.

While extolling ISPON for this year’s theme, “Software Strategies for Retooling the Workforce”, she added that Software has indeed accelerated productivity in the workplace, “for example the simple word processing tools and spreadsheet tools that we had in the 80’s to the more encompassing office productivity tools such as the Microsoft Office suite .

“From simple accounting packages to the sophisticated Enterprise Resource Planning applications that support the entire organisational functions, HR, Accounting, Finance, Logistics, Billing, Procurement etc’, I am sure you can think of many other examples of the impact that software has made to workplace productivity”. 

She maintained that with an accepted and well documented failure rate of 90% in the software enterpreneurship space, stakeholders must accelerate and scale up the innovation process.

Johnson said: “Silicon Valley and Israel (a country that has earned the appellation of “start up nation’) have literally thousands of companies in the ideation or start up stage at any point in time, the outcome of which is tens of companies that are either acquired by the bigger players or go on to become big players themselves. (Shopping.com acquired by ebay for $620m, face.com a face recognition software acquired by Facebook for $100m.

“We have made some progress in the short time that the Ministry of Communication Technology has been in existence. There is a thriving ecosystem of innovation hubs with the private sector participating well through the Co-Creation Hub, Venia Business Hub and others.

“The government has also intervened with the set up of the iDEA hubs in Lagos and Calabar (with more to come) which aim to cover both the innovation and ideation process as well as accelerating the process from ideation to business creation. Our first cohort of incubates at the iDEA hubs were drawn from the developers that provided solutions adjudged as having potential by the Oil & Gas as well as financial sectors. Our next cohort will be tasked with building solutions for the Agriculture, industry, an effort being designed together with USAID…

“We are open to ideas as to the what solutions should be tackled next as we believe that software solutions that come out of our industry should be designed to meet particular needs, commercial as well as social and of course be exportable to other countries.

“We would do well to benchmark ourselves against other regional economies like Kenya and South Africa. The global success of the Kenyan Ushahidi platform shows we have a long way to go as we do not as yet have the one (or more) software solutions that have international appeal and are instantly recognizable as Nigerian.  The South African software industry, with its exports of homegrown fraud prevention, revenue management solutions, mobile applications as well as an instantly recognized Open Source platform (Ubuntu) drives home this point.

“Ideally, these kinds of hubs should grow organically in Universities, Cyber cafes, libraries as access to the Internet improves but it will be much easier to roll out a clear philosophy through a connected network of hubs started by the government but ultimately will be run by the private sector”.

She added that the philosophy must also instill in the nation’s entrepreneurs the freedom to experiment that will truly free their ideation process. Too many software solutions that are released these days follow the familiar, safe path of former successes in entertainment (for example) or simply put a Nigerian twist on solutions that have succeeded elsewhere.

“While addressing the structural issues that should encourage our entrepreneurs to concentrate on “Companies, not code”, we must also ensure we do not take the technical requirements of this industry for granted.

“Many of our software developers are self-taught and while this is admirable, it also means that any errors in coding can be carried over for several “generations” of developers. To guard against this, the setup of coding schools will be encouraged and supported where necessary by the government – similar to our support and interventions in the innovation hubs/accelerators.

“This is an intense process that requires the all the proverbial hands to be on deck and I call on ISPON to collaborate intensely with us on all these initiatives to achieve their ultimate vision of a vibrant, competitive and world class software industry,” she noted. 

 

 

 


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Enugu to Host The Gathering on 100 as MTN-Backed Youth Movement Expands Across Nigeria

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Nigeria’s fast-rising youth culture and innovation community, The Gathering on 100, is heading to Enugu, with registration now open for gamers, performers, DJs, creatives, and culture enthusiasts.

Enugu to Host The Gathering on 100 as MTN-Backed Youth Movement Expands Across Nigeria

MTN

The Enugu edition will take place on June 19, 2026, at ICC Hall, Okpara Square, and will bring together a new audience for the platform’s signature blend of music, gaming, live performance, community engagement, and youth-driven entertainment.

The Gathering on 100 first gained national attention in Lagos, where it transformed the National Stadium, Surulere, into a continuous 100-hour ecosystem of activity from April 22–26, 2026.

The event combined culture, commerce, entrepreneurship, gaming, fashion, and live entertainment, attracting thousands of young participants and creating opportunities for emerging talent and businesses.

The movement most recently arrived in Aba, where thousands of young people gathered for a weekend of culture, commerce and entrepreneurship, reinforcing the platform’s growing appeal across different communities and audiences.

The move to Enugu is being framed by organisers as a deliberate expansion into one of Nigeria’s largest student and youth populations. Home to major institutions including the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Godfrey Okoye University and Coal City University, Enugu attracts thousands of young people from across the country each year, creating a vibrant community shaped by education, creativity, entertainment and entrepreneurship.

This concentration of young talent has helped fuel a growing ecosystem of creators, performers, gamers, digital entrepreneurs and small business owners.

In recent years, the city has hosted an increasing number of technology, entertainment and youth-focused events, reflecting the growing demand for platforms that bring together creativity, opportunity and community.

These dynamics make Enugu a natural next stop for The Gathering on 100, a platform built around showcasing talent, fostering connections and creating opportunities for young Nigerians.

Registration for the Enugu edition is now open through The Gathering’s official website, with participation available across multiple categories including gaming, rap battles, DJ competitions, dance, live performances and entrepreneurship.

A key highlight of the event will be the Pitchathon, where emerging founders and business owners will have the opportunity to present their ideas before a panel of judges for a chance to secure grant funding and support for business growth.

The gaming segment will feature competitive tournaments and interactive experiences designed for both casual and serious players, while rap battles and DJ showdowns will spotlight rising talent from Enugu and neighbouring states.

Attendees can also expect a large scale rave experience, live entertainment and community driven activities designed to bring together different corners of the region’s youth culture under one roof.

Beyond the entertainment, organisers say The Gathering on 100 is designed to create real opportunities for young people to connect, collaborate and gain visibility for their talents, ideas and businesses.

As the movement continues its expansion across Nigeria, the Enugu edition is expected to showcase the city’s unique blend of creativity, ambition and cultural influence while providing a platform for the next generation of innovators, performers and entrepreneurs.


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Prof. Dzidonu Urges Universities to Produce Deep Thinkers for AI Age

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Professor Clement K. Dzidonu, President of Accra Institute of Technology (AIT), has said that the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, automation, and digital transformation demands graduates who are capable of independent thinking, continuous learning, innovation, and responsible leadership.

Prof. Dzidonu Urges Universities to Produce Deep Thinkers for AI Age

Professor Clement K. Dzidonu, President of Accra Institute of Technology (AIT).

Professor Dzidonu noted that universities exist not merely to award degrees but to develop capable human beings who can think critically, solve problems creatively, adapt to changing circumstances, and contribute meaningfully to society.

He reiterated AIT’s commitment to producing graduates who are technically competent, ethically grounded, intellectually curious, and globally competitive.

The Accra Institute of Technology (AIT) has officially welcomed newly admitted students into its academic community at a colourful matriculation ceremony held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the university’s Knowledge City Campus-Kokomlemle in Accra.

Speaking on the theme, “Preparing the Sovereign Learner for a World of Opportunity, Possibility and Difference,” the President encouraged students to adopt the Opportunity–Possibility–Difference (OPD) Perspective by recognizing opportunities, exploring possibilities, and creating meaningful differences in their lives and communities. He urged them to see beyond examinations and certificates and focus on building capability, character, and courage.

The ceremony marked a significant milestone in the lives of the new students as they formally became members of the AIT scholarly community, joining a university renowned for excellence in technology-driven education, innovation, research, and professional development.

The matriculating class comprises students pursuing programmes in Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, Occupational Health and Safety Management, Project Management, and doctoral studies.

Addressing the matriculating class, the President of AIT, Professor Clement K. Dzidonu, congratulated the students on their admission and challenged them to embrace what he termed “The Age of the Sovereign Learner.” He emphasized that the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, automation, and digital transformation demands graduates who are capable of independent thinking, continuous learning, innovation, and responsible leadership.

Professor Dzidonu further challenged the students to make the most of the opportunities available to them at AIT by attending lectures consistently, acting ethically, managing their time wisely, and committing themselves to lifelong learning.

He reminded them that success at the university would depend not only on the resources and support systems provided by AIT but also on their personal commitment to excellence and self-development.

On behalf of the newly admitted students, Mr. Samuel Peace Kamara delivered the matriculants’ acceptance speech, expressing gratitude to the university’s leadership, faculty, and staff for the warm reception extended to the new students.

He pledged, on behalf of his colleagues, that they would uphold the values of the university, work diligently in their studies, and strive to become responsible professionals capable of making meaningful contributions to society.

The ceremony concluded with a formal declaration admitting the students into membership of the university community and a call on them to embrace the opportunities before them, pursue excellence, and contribute positively to national and global development.


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FG Debunks Claims of Plans to Introduce Telecoms, Fuel Taxes

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Federal government has dismissed reports suggesting it plans to introduce new taxes on telecommunications services and petroleum products, describing the claims as false and misleading.

FG Clears the Air on New Fuel and Telecom Tax Reports

The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Federal Ministry of Finance and signed by Mrs Maryann Duke, Senior Special Assistant on Communications and Press Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

According to the ministry, reports linking the alleged taxes to recommendations contained in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Article IV Consultation on Nigeria do not reflect the position of the government.

It explained that recommendations contained in IMF consultation reports are advisory in nature and do not constitute policy decisions or binding obligations on the Federal Government.

“The Federal Government is not considering the introduction of any new taxes on telecommunications services or petroleum products,” the statement said.

The ministry also clarified that existing tax arrangements relating to petroleum products remain unchanged.

It stated that the Value Added Tax (VAT) waiver on fuel remains in force and has not been removed.

According to the statement, any fuel surcharge can only be introduced through a ministerial order published in the Official Gazette, noting that no such action is currently under consideration.

The ministry added that the current policy framework has helped cushion the impact of fluctuations in global fuel prices on households and businesses across the country.

On telecommunications services, the government said the excise duty introduced before 2023 had already been repealed under the country’s new tax laws.

It stressed that the duty is no longer in effect.

The ministry urged Nigerians, businesses and media organisations to disregard reports suggesting that new taxes would be imposed on telecommunications services and petroleum products.

It reiterated that Nigeria’s tax reform agenda remains focused on improving revenue administration, promoting economic growth and attracting investments rather than increasing the tax burden on citizens.

The ministry further assured that any future tax policy changes would be communicated through official channels and implemented in accordance with due process and existing legal provisions.

It reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency and responsible economic management aimed at supporting sustainable growth and protecting the welfare of Nigerians.


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