Lagos To Establish Software Engineering Training Institute

The Lagos State Government 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’s administration in the state.

He said this will reduce the cost of purchasing software by the state government and other states as well.

Dr. Hamzat further said that the local production of software will “change Lagos and Nigeria as a whole 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.

Speaking on youth empowerment programme carried out by the ministry, the commissioner disclosed that for three years running, the Ministry organised an IT-based Hands-on –Workshop for the youths.

This consisted of PC Assembling/ Software Installation and Web Site Design.  

“At least 1,800 youths and school leavers from the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas in the state benefited from the training. 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 however observed that with the advent of GSM in Nigeria there is need to venture into the opportunities available in the industry.

To this end, “the ministry partnered with Nokia to empower youth across the state in the configuration and repair of the mobile handset. So far, at least 500 youths have been trained.”

The GSM mobile training was also organised at different centres across the state for a duration of two weeks and that at the end of the training participants were given tools kit and stipends as take off grant in the newly acquired knowledge.

Already, testimonies were being received from some of the participants making money by repairing handset and providing other services.