Lagos plans transformation to software producer with software engineering institute

Gov Fashola of Lagos state

 


By Prince Osuagwu

The Lagos State Government has said that it is set to establish a software training institute to serve as a medium for achieving the production of reliable software systems and also equip average youth in the State with the functional knowledge and skill needed to transform into an entrepreneur.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Science & Technology, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat disclosed this at a press briefing to commemorate the fourth year in office of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN.
According to Hamzat, the training institute would reduce the cost of purchase of software by the State Government and other States as well.
He stressed that the local production of software will transform Lagos and indeed the entire country from a software consuming State to a software producing/outsourcing State.
The Commissioner added that apart from the institute producing competent hands that can compete in the software development around the world, this will also be an avenue to create young entrepreneurs who will be self reliant and independent without looking for white collar jobs or any employment.
The commissioner also hinted on the youth empowerment programme his Ministry had embarked upon,  disclosing that for three years running, the Ministry had organised an IT based Hands-on –Workshop for the youths.
He said the training consisted of PC Assembling/ Software Installation and Web Site Design, even as about 1,800 youths and school leavers from the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas in the State had benefitted from the training.
For him, these two courses ran concurrently for a duration of two weeks and were facilitated by registered and certified training outfits in the State”, Dr. Hamzat said.
He further disclosed that the state government had observed that with the advent of GSM in Nigeria there was need to venture into the opportunities available in the industry and it was why the Ministry partnered with Nokia to empower youth across the State in the configuration and repair of the mobile handset. He also revealed that so far, about 500 youths have been trained on that.