ISPON President Questions Software Sector's GDP Contribution

James Agada was inaugurated as the President of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) for the 2026/2028 National Executive Committee. He raised concerns regarding the software sector's reported contribution of less than 0.2% to Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), despite the industry employing over one million people and having over 100,000 registered companies.

Agada suggested that the low contribution might stem from significant spending on foreign software products and limited local patronage. He emphasized the need for stronger business models, organizational structures, and access to capital for Nigerian software companies.

To improve visibility and recognition of the sector, Agada announced plans to establish a National Software Industry Registry within six months. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that the Information and Communication sector, which includes software, grew by 9.62% year-on-year in Q2 2026, contributing 11.74% to Nigeria's total real GDP, with telecommunications being the main driver.