E-Business
Experts Reiterate Call for Indigenous Software Development
Experts and policy makers in the software sector have called for the country to engage its teeming youth population in IT related field, particularly the software sector so as to create sustainable IT ecosystem in the country
They made this call at the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) 10th annual presidential dinner night, which held at the Prest Cruise WaterFront Hotel, Lekki, Lagos.
The event themed “Having an Inclusive IT Ecosystem”, had Dr. (Mrs.) Omobola Johnson, former Minister of Communication Technology deliver a keynote address.
Dr. Yele Okeremi, President Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), while delivering his address, said that the most important ingredient for a successful information technology sector in the country is for us to train and engage our teeming youth population in IT related field, particularly the software sector so as to create sustainable IT ecosystem in the country.
He stated that the ingredient to having viable IT economy is to create sustainable IT Ecosystem using the success of the Silicon Valley as a bench mark.
He explained that a viable ecosystem should be self-sustaining where all participants create some form of value that is consumed by some other members and all players operate in a symbiotic manner.
Giving an insight into how the country could catalyze its IT ecosystem to achieve success and become self-reliant and ultimately be a net contributor to the IT ecosystem of the world, Dr Okeremi said that Nigeria that has a high propensity for technology consumption and a suitable age demographics should borrow a leaf from countries like china that catalyzed their industry on the premises of local consumption.
He explained that we need to deliberately come up with policy to encourage the mantra of producing what we consume and consuming what we produce.
According to him, “For a country like Nigeria that has a high propensity for technology consumption and a suitable age demographics, Nigeria can borrow a leaf from countries like china that catalyzed their industry on the premises of local consumption.
“In other words, the country needs to come up with a deliberate policy to encourage the mantra of producing what it consumes and consume what it produces.
“The ability to achieve this is quite simple by following the money and studying which areas the country consumes the most technology products.
“The country has every right to begin a simple policy of import substitution.
“This will ensure the practitioners in the country are automatically provided domestic market access.
Dr. (Mrs.) Omobola Johnson said that Nigeria is a bright spot for technology industry in Africa.
She noted that funds coming into the country to fund technology firms have doubled astronomically in the last three years, noting that it’s a positive factor for the industry.
Dr. Johnson noted that software development sector will play a very significant role in the development of IT ecosystem.
She called on federal government to enact policies that will make Nigeria a software developer’s hub in the country.
The former minister explained that with the right policies, the country can build army of software developers in the country.
She urged software developers to fashion out a way where there will be off takers to support and build the ecosystem in order to build thousands of developers in the country.
Dr. Johnson decried the capital flight been witnessed now in the sector, where government agencies engage the services of foreign developers at the detriment of local developers, stressing that the money taking out of the country could be used to support more developer, if the these jobs were given to local developers.
The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) presents its report on .ng domain name registration and renewal statistics for the first quarter of 2025, highlighting the continued expansion of Nigeria’s digital footprint. The data underscores a consistent and significant adoption of the nation’s Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD), reinforcing its pivotal role in the burgeoning Nigerian digital economy.
During the period spanning January to March 2025, a total of 40,791 .ng domain names were recorded. This figure comprises 22,236 new registrations and 18,555 renewals, indicating a healthy balance between the acquisition of new digital identities and the sustained commitment of existing domain name holders to their online presence.
Analysis of the registration trends within the quarter reveals a notable upward trajectory, with a 13.92% increase in domain name registrations observed between February and March 2025.
This growth signifies an increasing recognition of the importance of a localized online identity by a diverse range of stakeholders, including individuals, startups, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), and larger organizations.
Notably, the .com.ng extension continues to be the dominant choice, accounting for over 60% of both new registrations and renewals. This reaffirms its status as the preferred domain name extension for Nigerian businesses seeking to establish a credible and locally relevant online brand presence while maintaining global accessibility. The sustained popularity of .com.ng underscores its perceived value among Nigerian entrepreneurs and enterprises seeking to secure their digital real estate.
This upward trajectory isn’t happening by chance. The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) has remained intentional in its drive for digital inclusion and domain adoption. Through public education, training via the .ng Academy, outreach campaigns, and partnerships with stakeholders across the tech ecosystem, NiRA has consistently advocated for the importance of owning a local domain. The current standing of .ng as the second most registered ccTLD in Africa reflects the efficacy of these efforts.
Digital adoption in Nigeria is no longer just about being online—it’s about owning your digital identity. And with a .ng domain, Nigerians are better positioned to assert that identity, connect with local and international audiences, and gain better control over their digital footprints.
As we look toward the rest of 2025, the Q1 results serve as a strong signal: more people are embracing the digital future, and the .ng domain is increasingly becoming their first step.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) of Nigeria has launched a new digital identity verification tool called the NIN Authentication (NINAuth) application.
The initiative, which forms part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aims to strengthen the country’s national digital identity management framework.
The launch builds upon Nigeria’s comprehensive unified digital identity system that has been transforming access to financial services and government programs.
The NINAuth application introduces several key features focused on data security and privacy.
The platform requires explicit user consent before sharing identity information for Know Your Customer (KYC) processes, giving individuals greater control over their personal data.
The system provides seamless access to various government services, including SIM card registration, immigration applications, passport processing, tax filings, and financial transactions.
The development follows significant investment in Nigeria’s digital identity infrastructure, including a $45.5 million support from the World Bank as part of the Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) project.
As the official service for integration with NIMC’s backend infrastructure, NINAuth enables secure verification processes across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
The application is available for download on both the Google Play Store and Apple iOS App Store for users of the National Identification Number (NIN).
The rollout represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to digitize government services and strengthen identity verification processes.
“NINAuth is a cutting-edge suite of services including web, API, and mobile verification designed to enhance data security, protect privacy, and simplify access to government services,” said Dr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC.
“The platform introduces a robust layer of protection, empowering individuals with greater control over their personal information.”
The implementation supports the objectives of the recently established Nigeria Digital Identification for Development Project Ecosystem Steering Committee, which oversees the country’s digital identity initiatives.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the launch of the NINAuth app and directed its use for verification and authentication across all MDAs.
The application provides a secure single sign-on solution for accessing government services and social protection programs while maintaining strict data privacy controls.
The centralized approach to digital identity management represents a significant step forward in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey and its commitment to modernizing government services.
Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has set in motion a machinery to checkmate the booming copyright piracy market in the country.
Copyright piracy is said to cost Nigeria an annual loss estimated at billions of naira.
Despite the absence of a coordinated or official statistics to gauge the quantum of loss, John Asein, director general, NCC, said as far back as 2019, Nigeria lost N918 trillion ($3 billion) annually to digital piracy.
The financial damages severely impact local businesses and innovation efforts.
The commission, in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), has started a project to develop strategies and tools to address the menace.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on the WIPO project to address online copyright piracy in Nigeria, Asein said digital technologies have unlocked tremendous opportunities for the creative and innovation sectors.
The NCC boss said technology also poses serious challenges, including online piracy, which he said is growing rapidly.
He said: “Pirate sites continue to emerge rapidly, with statistics indicating a 6.7 per cent increase in user visits. A significant percentage of these users are students aged between 18 and 24, with social media and messaging platforms becoming major gateways for accessing pirated content.”
He added: “No industry is immune. The most affected sectors include television (43.6 per cent), publishing (27.5 per cent), film (12.9 per cent), music (7.0 per cent), and software (6.2 per cent).
“Far beyond mere statistics, the victims are no longer only foreign right owners. Many Nigerians in these sectors have also been bruised and their creative enterprises ruined.”
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