ISPON Questions Nigeria Software GDP Share Under 0.2%

In Short

• ISPON says Nigeria’s software sector looks bigger than what official GDP data suggests.
• Its new president, James Agada, questions NBS numbers that put software at under 0.2% of GDP.
• ISPON plans a National Software Industry Registry within six months.

What Happened

The Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria, ISPON, is pushing back on official figures for the local tech economy. At his inauguration for the 2026 to 2028 term, ISPON president James Agada questioned National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, data that reportedly puts Nigeria’s software industry contribution at less than 0.2% of GDP.

Agada argued the number does not match the sector’s visible activity. He cited claims that the industry employs over one million people directly and indirectly and includes more than 100,000 registered companies. He also said ISPON itself has around 500 corporate members and 10,000 individual members.

One explanation he raised is that a lot of software spend leaves the country. He pointed to licences, subscriptions, support fees, and service fees paid to foreign software vendors. In simple terms, that means money spent on tools and ongoing access to them, like paying rent for software, but the revenue is booked outside Nigeria.

Agada also said weak local patronage limits the growth of Nigerian software companies. He described a cycle where limited opportunities lead to lower adoption, which then keeps local firms from building stronger products and winning bigger contracts.

Why It Matters

If software output is undercounted, it can affect policy, procurement, and access to capital for local vendors. GDP measurement influences how governments prioritise sectors and how investors size markets.

To improve visibility, ISPON plans to create a National Software Industry Registry within six months. The registry is meant to document Nigerian software companies and practitioners and track notable products and achievements. If it works, it could make it easier for buyers, including government agencies, to find local suppliers and for the ecosystem to show clearer economic impact.