BOLA Agboola, the Managing Director, Ximalog Global Solutions, an ICT company has called on all tiers of government to award contracts for the development of software to indigenous developers.

Agboola, who is a software developer made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

“Government can facilitate local content involvement in software development by awarding contracts for the development of software for various governmental agencies to indigenous developers.

“Government policy and partnerships that encourage and attract foreign ICT companies can be established in the country and nationalities in all sectors of the establishment should be employed to encourage the transfer of technology.

“Government should also ensure that our indigenous software meet international standards,‘’ he said.

Agboola said government at all levels should also encourage the development of technological hubs, incubators and centers in the country such as Silicon Valley in the U.S. and Bangalore in India.

“We can develop our computer villages into technological hubs to serve the purpose,’’ he said.

He said establishment of hubs and ICT incubators centres in the country would encourage the recruitment and training of interested parties.

The software developer also urged government to promote the establishment of free or low cost ICT training centers across the nation.

Agboola said such initiative would help train unskilled youths and address unemployment in the country.

He said government should subsidise the sale of some ICT tools and services to youths to make it affordable so they could do something for themselves.

“Government can also enter into partnership and agreement with youth-based organizations across both ethnic and religious lines.

“And also to identify, reward and promote talented individuals who have made a living from such acquired skill as a way of encouraging them to do more.

“Attention should be given to ICT deficient states by formulating policies that can encourage youth participation from these states.

“Also establish trade fares and technology forums where youths can sell, market or display indigenous products,’’ he said. (NAN)

– Jun. 8, 2018 @ 13:27 GMT |