NCS Urges Greater Use of Local Developers to Boost Economy

The Nigerian Computer Society (NCS) has called for greater utilisation of indigenous developers and solutions to support the local economy.

Dr Surajo Aliyu, President of NCS, made this appeal during an interview in Lagos on Monday.

He emphasised the need to support locally developed products, stating, “If we don’t support our own products, no one else will.”

Aliyu expressed concern that Nigerian-developed products often lack local backing, with some developers even opting to register and market them abroad.

He pointed out that this trend diverts revenue and job opportunities to foreign countries rather than benefiting Nigeria.

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“The solutions purchased abroad are built by people who have never even been to Nigeria.

“Foreigners then employ our citizens, exporting our job opportunities while importing unemployment,” he said.

He urged the government to prioritise support for the IT industry and its professionals, stressing the need for collaboration with NCS, a key stakeholder in the sector.

According to Aliyu, the government should engage IT professionals at all levels, local, state, and federal, when formulating IT-related policies and decisions.

He also advocated for learning from other countries to strengthen Nigeria’s IT industry and encourage wider adoption of homegrown solutions.

Furthermore, he stated that NCS, with its extensive database, is well-equipped to help shape policies that would drive economic growth.