It is all about Computer Software! And would ultimately be determined by Software!

The Roles of Software in the implementation of national election is not only critical, but indispensable! Are we currently searching in the dark and kicking the bucket without a torchlight?

The torchlight for navigating the darkrooms of the National electoral processes resides in the Software Ecosystem.

The Software Ecosystem in the Operating System of a general election is equivalent to the blood and oxygen that runs in our Veins and sustains Human Life and civilization.

Therefore, neglecting the fundamental importance of the Software Ecosystem in the operational dynamics of 2027 national General Election, would not only be catastrophic, but indeed may stop the nation from breathing!

The current interrogations on the need to deliver an effective and trusted technology-driven national election revolves around one single functional entity – without which, no electronic election is possible, feasible nor can be effectively delivered!

That single but extraordinary entity is Computer Software! Indeed, this 360-degree analysis on the critical intersections of the current national dialogue on 2027 General Election reveals that, globally, software is and has overtly become the indispensable tool required for navigating, modernizing and streamlining electoral processes.

Software fosters and enhances transparency, builds trust and improves efficiency of national elections around the world.

And perhaps our most critical concern should be: “what type of electoral Software should Nigeria deploy for her general election? And who should/would provide the service? “

Who are the Designers. Producers and Deployers? Is the Software a proprietary and certified solution or Opensource? Above all, does the Software have AI-enabled features and functionalities with embedded capabilities to hijack, recondition and transform internal instructions, processes and manipulate numbers?

Which third parties are involved in monitoring the efficiency, efficacy and security of the Software OS and Applications? Is there a best-practice guarantee?

The above concerns are strategically imperative and informed by the following analytics: They help us and further ventilates how Software plays a crucial role in the implementation of national elections in several ways – inclusive of the followings:

First is the task of delivering Voters Registration, where election management software helps to verify and register voters, update voters’ status and track voters’ eligibility. That is followed by the task of monitoring and governing the Voting Systems through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Online Voting Systems (where applicable) – both of which rely on software to record, count, and tabulate cast votes.

Going forward, these intersectional analytics lead us to the domain of Election Results Management.

This domain is where Software is used to tally and transmit election results quickly and accurately, depending on the tested and certified abilities of the design functionalities and quality of physical infrastructure.

Next to the above intersections is Election Process Management, where Software is applied to manage various aspects of the electoral processes, including candidate registration, ballot design, and polling station code management – including electronic transmission of election results – delivered automatically.

All the above processes require intersectional checks and balances. And again, the degree and quality of Software requirement to enable content Auditing and Security becomes very significant.

At this intersection, Software is on call and helps to ensure and delivers the integrity and transparency of the electoral process by providing audit trails, secure data storage, and real-time monitoring.

Finally, and perhaps the most critical element is (2027) “Election Results Transmission”: At this stage, (computer) software is at the centre of the functionalities and facilitates the real- time electronic transmission of election results to authorised electoral authorities, who grants access to the public and certified news organizations, where applicable.

The bottom-line is that professional Software Solutions competencies is at the heart of a successful national General Election.

The Call-to-order factor is to interrogate where the transmitted data and information are hoisted – Internationally or Domestically? Where exactly is the INEC Primary Server located? Offshore? OR in country?

Digital fact is that location factor is a sensitive issue with respect to latency in Data transfer from Primary to Secondary Server location.

Beyond 2027, it is time to think without the BOX and start now to prepare how Indigenous Software Application Solutions can deliver a credible and trusted nation General Election come 2031?

*Chris Uwaje is a former president, Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON).

Digital infrastructure is no longer a luxury. It is a strategic asset, a national security issue, and an economic necessity.

Back in 2001, Nigeria adopted its first National Information Technology Policy. That document signalled intent, but the digital era has since evolved with breath-taking speed. What once seemed futuristic is now foundational.

Nations must choose whether to be passive consumers of foreign technology or strategic producers of indigenous innovation. At stake is not just economic potential, but sovereignty itself.

The global economy is moving toward artificial intelligence, cloud governance, digital currencies, and decentralised systems.

Without a deliberate strategy to build and protect local digital capacity, we risk exclusion from critical value chains, and we would continue to depend on external systems we neither control nor fully understand to our detriment.

Technology is more than hardware and code, it is a nation’s capacity to define its future. Local tech innovations have the potential to transform Nigeria’s economy by creating jobs, opening new markets, and enabling digital self-reliance.

From payment infrastructure to education platforms and digital identity systems, indigenous technologies are becoming essential tools for economic resilience and inclusive development.

Consider India, which implemented a deliberate national strategy that helped build a software export industry worth over 200 billion dollars. Nigeria has comparable human capital and an equally vibrant entrepreneurial spirit.

With the right mix of strategic investment, policy alignment, and institutional support, our software ecosystem has the potential not only to replicate that success but to surpass it, shaping Africa’s digital future and influencing the global tech landscape.

Indigenous software also plays a vital role in inclusion. Designed with contextual awareness, it helps bridge rural access gaps, address gender inequities, and navigate infrastructural constraints.

It ensures that technology serves the needs of all Nigerians – not just the connected elite – while preserving cultural relevance and economic value within our borders.

This has long been my advocacy. At a keynote address delivered seven years ago at the NITRA Quarterly Forum, I called for a national software development strategy and the creation of a technology innovation park to nurture talent and boost productivity.

I also urged the allocation of at least 10 percent of the national budget to ICT, noting that Nigeria’s technology ecosystem was, and remains, underfunded and insufficiently protected. True indigenous content must involve products developed by Nigerians that do not require foreign remittance. That principle is more critical today than ever.

Few examples illustrate the power of indigenous innovation more clearly than the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

Once plagued by fiscal inefficiencies, Nigeria now has in place a robust public finance mechanism made possible by a local software solution, Remita.

The TSA was created to address the longstanding problem of fragmented government banking.

Before its introduction in 2011, thousands of government accounts scattered across commercial banks facilitated financial leakages and institutional opacity.

The TSA’s goal was to consolidate government revenues into a single account at the Central Bank of Nigeria, enforce financial discipline, and eliminate waste.

Since its full implementation in 2015, the results have been near-extraordinary. The TSA helped recover over ₦3 trillion from previously untracked accounts, led to the closure of more than 17,000 redundant accounts, and has saved the country over ₦45 billion in monthly interest payments. Annual overheads from bank charges also dropped by over ₦24 billion, according to reports.

This success story was enabled by Remita, a world-class solution developed by Nigerian software company SystemSpecs.

Originally a product of SystemSpecs, Remita has since evolved into an independent company, Remita Payment Services Limited (RPSL).

Contracted through a competitive process involving the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, and international consultants, Remita outperformed foreign options.

Its performance over the years has demonstrated unequivocally that Nigerian software can deliver significant national impact.

The TSA’s achievements have drawn global attention. Countries such as The Gambia and Kenya have sought to replicate the initiative, seeing in Nigeria a model of digital fiscal reform.

TSA is a powerful validation of Nigeria’s indigenous technological capacity and a testament to what is possible when local innovation is aligned with national strategy.

Now, a new and transformative policy frontier is emerging in the form of the National Revenue Service (NRS) and its accompanying Revenue Assurance initiative.

This reform aims to harmonise revenue collection across all levels of government, reduce tax evasion, and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity for sustainable revenue mobilisation.

At the heart of this reform is a coordinated framework that will rely heavily on the foundational digital infrastructure already laid by the TSA.

The TSA would remain the critical bedrock on which the NRS must stand. The centralisation and accountability the TSA brought to public finance are the same principles the NRS must uphold and expand.

If Nigeria is to build a credible, secure, and efficient national revenue system, then it must be deliberate about embedding indigenous technology such as Remita, which is tested and trusted, into the very fabric of its evolving.

Digital sovereignty is a nation’s ability to control its digital infrastructure, data, and technological future. In today’s world, software is at the heart of this control. Without it, we compromise our economy, governance, and national resilience.

The most vulnerable point of a nation’s development and security ecosystem is the financial ecosystem – especially when the Software that powers its processes is owned and controlled by foreign solution providers.

It is important to clarify what we mean by indigenous content. Too often, indigenous content is mistakenly equated with local content. However, the two are not always the same.

Local content may refer to digital platforms or solutions developed within Nigeria, yet owned or controlled by foreign corporate entities. In such cases, while the software may be locally deployed, the underlying intellectual property (IP) remains foreign.

True indigenous content, on the other hand, embodies both local development and indigenous IP ownership. It is Nigerian in conception, in code, and in control.

This distinction is crucial because only indigenous content truly strengthens digital sovereignty, ensures value retention within the local economy, and guarantees long-term control over critical systems.

Nigeria is rich in talent, with over 400,000 developers and indigenous tech firms such as Interswitch, Flutterwave, and Paystack demonstrating global competitiveness.

These success stories are not outliers, they reflect the broader potential of our tech ecosystem and the capacity that exists when innovation is supported and scaled. It is therefore imperative to preserve and protect homegrown solutions.

A recent call by the House of Representatives for penalties of almost two hundred billion Naira to be imposed on the indigenous company, Remita on account of an ongoing and yet to be concluded reconciliation process in respect of transactions processed over the past 12 years is puzzling and bizarre, to say the least.

If there are legitimate concerns about aspects of the TSA implementation, then any investigation must be seen to be impartial, transparent, and rooted in verifiable evidence, with findings made available to the public. No individual or organisation is exempt from accountability.

However, targeted actions that appear politically motivated risk eroding the very trust that public finance reforms such as the NRS seek to build.

These practices not only destabilise confidence in Nigeria’s software ecosystem, but also reveal a tendency to sacrifice long-term digital independence for short-term expediency.

Despite the notable successes, institutional inertia continues to undermine Nigeria’s software potential.

Many government agencies at the national and sub-national level still default to foreign software, often driven by outdated preferences and procurement biases. The procurement process remains fragmented, with no clear national standard for evaluating software solutions based on performance, security, and adaptability.

Executive Orders EO003 and EO005, which mandate the use of local goods and services, are yet to be implemented with the consistency and seriousness they require.

The proposed National Revenue Service law offers an unprecedented opportunity to correct these structural flaws. It must not only harmonise revenue collection but also institutionalise indigenous technology as the default infrastructure for digital public finance.

Much like the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Local Content Development Act of 2010 transformed local participation in energy, a national digital content policy is needed to protect our fintech and govtech industries.

While legislation is key to driving compliance in the public sector, the private sector must be encouraged to voluntarily adopt local technologies as part of broader ESG and national development strategies. Corporate Nigeria can play a crucial role in normalising trust in indigenous platforms, forming innovation partnerships, and integrating Nigerian solutions into their value chains.

The shift from import dependence to domestic innovation must be a collective national movement, not a government-alone endeavour.

Equally important is the creation of an Indigenous Software Sovereignty Fund, a dedicated mechanism to support research and development, incubate startups, and scale local platforms that will power the NRS and future national systems.

Years ago, I remarked that SystemSpecs deserved a national merit award for the monumental role it played in harmonising government accounts into a single, technology-driven platform through the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

This was not just a technical achievement — it was a profound act of patriotism. At a time when few believed local solutions could drive national-scale reform, SystemSpecs stood firm, offering its homegrown innovation to serve the nation’s fiscal transformation.

For over a decade, the company has supported the TSA’s implementation with uncommon dedication, professionalism, and resilience. That contribution should not fade into the background — it deserves formal recognition as a benchmark of what becomes possible when Nigeria believes in Nigeria, and when private enterprise rises to meet the public interest.

The success of the TSA is a demonstration that local technology can solve national challenges. Now, as Nigeria embarks on a broader revenue transformation through the NRS and Revenue Assurance initiative, we must ensure that the lessons of the TSA are not only remembered but also enshrined in the next chapter of reform.

This is our chance to cement digital sovereignty as a pillar of national policy. The sovereign code has already been written by Nigerian hands, on Nigerian soil. What remains is the political will to protect it, scale it, and embed it in the future we are building.

In the era of e-Knowledge, time is still running out.

*Chris Uwaje, known as the “Oracle of the Nigerian IT Industry,” is a renowned pioneer of Nigeria’s National IT Policy, which led to the creation of NITDA and the country’s National Software Strategy. With over four decades of global IT experience, he has held key roles including Past President of ITAN and ISPON. He is the Founder of Mobile Software Solutions, Chairman of Connect Technologies, and the architect behind major initiatives like the Akwa Ibom State IT Policy and SIT Park. Uwaje is also the author of e-Knowledge – Time is Running Out.

Using the story of Remita and the Treasury Single Account (TSA) as a shining example of what homegrown technology can achieve, Uwaje warns against continued dependence on foreign software. We bring you five key takeaways from the article.

1. Indigenous IP is a national infrastructure

Homegrown technologies like Remita are not just software. They are foundational to national operations. These systems manage critical financial processes, secure vast data assets, and support the daily functions of government and business. As such, they deserve the same protection, investment, and prioritisation as roads, power grids, and telecommunications networks.

2. Foreign tech dependence is a sovereignty risk

Continued reliance on foreign-owned software weakens Nigeria’s control over its data, its policies, and its economic levers.

Sovereignty in the digital era means owning and controlling the tools that power our systems. When key infrastructure is operated through black box solutions developed abroad, Nigeria’s autonomy is compromised.

3. Indigenous innovation needs legal protection

Nigerian tech innovators need legislative frameworks that protect their intellectual property and reward their contributions to solving national problems.

Without robust legal backing, local creators are left vulnerable, overlooked for procurement, underfunded by investors, and unrecognised in national planning.

It’s also important to distinguish between solutions that are merely built in Nigeria and those that are owned by Nigerians.

4. Economic value must stay in the ecosystem

When indigenous platforms like Remita succeed, the economic value they generate, including revenues, taxes, jobs, and knowledge transfer, stays within Nigeria. By contrast, reliance on foreign solutions often means recurring license fees, outsourced talent, and capital flight.

5. Penalising Local Innovators Sends the Wrong Message

A recent call by the House of Representatives for penalties of almost two hundred billion Naira to be imposed on the indigenous company, Remita, on account of a yet to be concluded reconciliation process in respect of transactions processed over the past 12 years is bizarre.

When indigenous tech solutions are unfairly targeted or publicly discredited, it weakens confidence across the entire ecosystem.

Builders begin to wonder: if Remita can be treated this way after years of national service, what hope is there for others?

*Chris Uwaje, the “Oracle of the Nigerian IT Industry,” is the Past President of both the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (IPSON) and the Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN).

IMC is an initiative of TTSWG that aims to foster sustainable innovations in Nigeria’s technology and telecommunication sectors by showcasing and rewarding emerging talents in these fields as well as providing a Launchpad to scale up their solutions.

The occasion saw the presence of John Isiekwene, Sustainability Manager at IHS Towers; Chris Uwaje, CEO of Mobile Software Solutions and Board Member of TTSWG; Adedoyin Segun-Noibi, General Manager of Quomodo Systems Africa; Bankole Oloruntoba, CEO of Nigeria Climate Innovation Center (NCIC); Faderera Segun, Program and Partnership Manager at Arnergy Solar; Precious Francis, Communications and Knowledge Officer at NCIC; and Gbolahan Awonuga, Executive Secretary of ALTON.

Young people aged 18 – 35 from all over Nigeria can take part in the challenge. Successful applicants who reach the final stage will get to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges that will select the winners at the Grand Finale Conference and Exhibition scheduled for Thursday, November 9, 2023.

The top three overall winners will be awarded a cash prize of ₦2,000,000, ₦1,000,000 and ₦500,000 respectively.

Besides the cash prizes, the participants stand a chance to also benefit from world-class expert training and mentorship through the Innovation Bootcamp, opportunities to pitch to investors, network with established technology professionals and exhibit their innovations for free at the IMC Conference 2023.

Hosted live at the Eko Convention Center, Victory Island, Lagos, the IMC Conference will ignite transformative dialogues on Africa’s technology and telecommunications future while showcasing emerging innovations in Nigeria.

It boasts a diverse lineup of global speakers including Kate Hancock, Founder, Metaverse XYZ and TEDx Speaker; Oluwole Asalu, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Quomodo Systems Africa; Lanre Bamisebi, Executive Director, Access Corporation; Chuks Ekwueme, Chairman, UNICCON Group, and many others.

Expounding on the significance of the IMC, Chris Uwaje, Mobile Software Solutions and Board Member, Telecommunication and Technology Sustainability Working Group (TTSWG) remarked: “The world is world is moving so fast but Nigeria is being left behind.

The discovery of talent is a part of the strategic tool fit competing for a great nation. We cannot have benefits unless we surmount the challenge within the realm of technology through the IMC, TTSWG aims to target disruptive ideas, discover and nurture the emerging talents that can disrupt the existing system and bail the country out in the future.”

Bankole Oloruntoba, the Chief Executive Officer of NCIC,  also lauded the IMC and emphasized the importance of establishing a dedicated funding pool to support emerging innovative ideas.

“We are supporting these youngsters from their current stage to be more globally accepted and solve tangible and functional challenges regarding sustainability as well as other environmental issues confronting the telecom sector,” he added.

Interested and qualified parties can submit their applications through the official website: www.ttswg-imc.com/apply.

The application window remains open until October 16, 2023. The Innovation Makers Challenge 2023 is proudly sponsored by IHS Towers and supported by various partners.

The board consists of eminent personalities with a proven track record within the telecommunication and technology industries.

They are the chairperson, Engr.  Abdu-Waya Mohammed, Head Strategy at FCT Internal Revenue Service; the vice-chairperson, Dr (Mrs) Wunmi Hassan, President/CEO, High-Tech Centre for Nigerian Women and Youth; Iklimatu Abubakar Ramallan, Founder/CEO of IQRAM & IRA Technologies; Chris Uwaje (FNCS, FSP), Chair, Mobile Software Solutions Ltd; and Professor Francis Idachaba, professor of Communication Engineering, Covenant University.

According to Engr. Abdu-Waya, “Nigerian businesses are fast redefining their operations around sustainable business models that create enduring value for all stakeholders and the planet. It is against this backdrop that TTSWG is positioned to propel more action in sustainability across industries by creating a strong network for collaboration.”

Engr Abdu-Waya, while speaking about the announcement of the board members, also said, “It is an honour to serve these highly experienced and inspiring leaders. The sooner we expedite the education of every stakeholder in the sector about sustainability, from product providers to customers, the sooner we begin to protect more of our social and physical environment, health, and wealth for the future.”

The board members are passionate about sustainability practices in ICT and are in alignment with the organisation’s mission and vision.

About Engr. Mohammed Abdu-Waya (Chairperson)

Engr. Abdu-Waya Mohammed is a technology specialist with over 30 years of experience in the world of telecommunications both as an industry practitioner and in academia.

He is currently the Chief Strategy Officer at FCT Internal Revenue Service pushing for the alignment of the Services mandates and its Technology Strategy.

He serves on the National Broadband Steering Committee of the NCC.

About Dr. (Mrs.) Omowunmi Hassan (Vice Chairperson)

Dr (Mrs.) Omowunmi Hassan is an IT professional per excellence. She evaluated Nigeria’s Information Technology Policy of 2001 in her PhD research with her results as a major input to the reform and convergence of the major ICT institutions in the country, thereby culminating in a Communications Technology Ministry in Nigeria today. She is the founder and national coordinator of the Women and Youth IT Capacity Building Centre.

About Chris Uwaje

Dr. Chris Uwajeis acclaimed as the pioneer of the National Information Technology Policy for Nigeria (2000-2002), which created the National IT Development Agency (NITDA).

He is a founding member and Fellow of the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS).

He is also a Co-Founder, Past President and Fellow of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON).

About Iklimatu Abubakar Ramallan

Iklimatu Abubakar Ramallan is the Founder/CEO of IQRAM and IRA Technologies. She is also the Co-Founder of Secure Agric, a food security focused organisation.

She is experienced in managing and leading teams across multiple sectors. Her interests are in business management and making organisations successful.

About Francis Enejo Idachaba

Francis Enejo Idachaba is a Professor of Communication Engineering at Covenant University and Director of the Covenant University Open and Distance Learning Unit.

He is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the Nigerian Society of Engineers and a COREN Registered Engineer in Nigeria.