In direct response to the challenging mission of the United Nations ICT4D (Information and Communications Technology for Development), the National Software Competition aims to harness the potential skills of young and intelligent minds in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions.

The program is established to uncover Indigenous Software Development Talents and make them ready for entrepreneurship and global competitiveness in ICT. Entries to the competition are based on completed applications at a special website -www.softwareclubnigeria.org – where guidelines are available for download with online application forms processing. Apart from the fabulous prizes and awards already put in place for the winners of the competition, ISPON will facilitate their future participations in various Technology competitions for International Youth Awards at the United Nations level.

In a special message to the participants and Contestants in the Nigeria Tertiary institutions, the Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Prof. Cleopas Officer Angaye, on behalf of the NITDA Board, told the contestants “You are the future and backbone of Nigeria’s Information Society,” He encouraged them to perceiver and give their creative best to ensure that the outcome of the competition compares with similar creative and innovative platforms anywhere in the world.

He advocated competitive fair-play and urged them to be magnanimous, original, dynamic in their project pursuit and apply Team work strategies in the actualization of their mission. In particular, the DG reminded them that the most important thing is to participate in anticipation of winning. However, not all entries will make the top winners list, but that should not discourage them from continuing to participate in the National Software Competition contest in the future. Said he; “The journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step. The ultimate aim is to engage the challenges, sharpen and improve your skills and become world class software innovators.”

In his contribution, Chris Uwaje, the President of ISPON said that “ISPON had in the past year established about 32 Software Development Clubs,I (SDC) in our Tertiary Institutions. I am therefore convinced of the visionary fact that one day (and very soon), this 21st Century, Nigerian Developed Software will break the world record in form, content and quality! By merit, the contestants are one of the few creative and innovative minds in the emerging digital environment in our institutions.

They are indeed the chosen ones to supersonically volt Nigeria into the 21st Century Information Society (IS)”. Said he to the contestants; “Your contribution to our Knowledge Society through Software will definitely make Nigeria Great! I absolutely believe in your innovative potential, creative ability, confidence, capability and Intellectual risk management adventure to engage the above challenges and achieve the set objectives and interfacing goals.

Remember you are one of the few chosen ones – by merit, drafted for the Nigeria Digital Knowledge Quest (NDKQ) and I wish you the best of luck as you compete.”

ISPON President further advised institutions which do not currently have Software Development Clubs (SDC), to contact the coordinator at admin@ispon.org and 08030528111 for more information. Software Development Club seeks to develop and empower Nigerian Youths with Global Software Knowledge as strategic instrument for facilitating and building skilled capacities for self-reliance, wealth creation and National Security – applying Global Information, Communications Technology Best Practices. ISPON Challenges you – Nigerian Youths! ISPON urges the Youths to ‘Dream software’.

According to NITDA ACT 2007, the mandate of NITDA amongst others is as follows:

1. Create a frame work for the planning, research, development, standardization, application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and regulation of Information Technology practices, activities and systems in Nigeria and all matters related thereto and for that purpose, and which without detracting from the generality of the foregoing shall include providing universal access for Information Technology and systems penetration including rural, urban and under-served areas.
2. Provide guidelines to facilitate the establishment and maintenance of appropriate for information technology and systems application and development in Nigeria for public and private sectors, urban-rural development, the economy and the government. (c) Develop guidelines for electronic governance and monitor the use of electronic data interchange and other forms of electronic communication transactions as an alternative to paper-based methods in government, commerce, education, the private and public sectors, labour, and other fields, where the use of electronic communication may improve the exchange of data and information.
3. Develop guidelines for the networking of public and private sector establishment. (e) Develop guidelines for the standardization and certification of Information Technology Escrow Source Code and Object Code Domiciliation, Application and Delivery Systems in Nigeria. (f) Render advisory services in all information technology matters to the public and private sectors.
4. Create incentives to promote the use of information technology in all spheres of life in Nigeria including the setting up of information technology parks. (h) Create incentives to promote the use of information technology in all spheres of life in Nigeria including the development of guidelines for setting up of information technology systems and knowledge parks. (i) Introduce appropriate regulatory policies and incentives to encourage private sector investment in the information technology industry.
5. Collaborate with any local or state Government, company, firm, or person in any activity, which in the opinion of the agency is intended to facilitate the attainment of the objective of this act. (k) Determine critical areas in Information Technology requiring research intervention and Development in those areas. (l) Advice the Government on ways of promoting the development of information technology in Nigeria including introducing appropriate information technology legislation, to enhance national security and vibrancy of the industry. (m) Accelerate internet and intranet penetration in Nigeria and promote sound internet Governance by giving effect to the Second Schedule of this Act; and (n) Perform such other duties, which in the opinion of the Agency are necessary or expedient to ensure the efficient performance of the functions of the Agency under this act.

Objective of the competition: The National Software Competition is recognized as the only professionally established and coordinated platform for the advancement of world-class software engineering development in Nigeria today. This ISPON national software development initiative seeks to evaluate the IT performance index of Nigeria by engaging government policy makers and principal sector drivers on the imperatives for accelerating the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), amongst others. In particular the National Software Conference and Competition will spur the actualization of the following objectives:

• Mapping National Software Development Direction and Strategy
1. National Software Policy Direction and Legal empowerment.
2. Establishment of a National Software Developers’ Directory
3. Promotion of Nigerian Developed Software (Local Content)
4. National Software Lobby Group – in collaboration with core stakeholders in Industry and Academia.
5. Establishment of ISPON Software Testing Standards – through the adaptation of International Standards.
6. Deliberate on issues regarding Open Standard and Open Source
7. Others.
• Capacity Building
1. ISPON ‘s constructive intervention on National Software Development Curriculum in Education.
2. Conduct Subsidized Quality Software Development Training on global standards for ISPON Members and up-coming Developers in our Universities.
   
3. Establish Software Industry-Academia Program - Special Skills Training for Lecturers and Students.
4. Special IT Leadership Workshop for Software Policy Makers
• Event Partners and Sponsorship
1. Engage and Lobby NITDA, NCC, NIGCOMSAT and ETF to allocate Special Fund/Grant to Software Developers.
2. Venture Capital Investment and Funding program for ISPON Members