Bridging Technology and Business: ISPON and LCCI Explore New Frontiers of Collaboration.
Meeting Overview
The meeting between the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) was convened to explore areas of collaboration, strengthen engagement between the technology and business communities, and identify opportunities to promote indigenous software development, innovation, and local technology adoption.
The meeting provided an opportunity for both organisations to discuss potential partnerships that would enable Nigerian software companies to scale their businesses, access wider markets, and contribute more significantly to the national economy.
Opening Remarks
The Director-General (DG) of LCCI, Dr. Chinyere Almona, welcomed the ISPON delegation and reaffirmed the Chamber’s openness to collaboration, emphasising its willingness to listen to and support initiatives that would benefit businesses and the wider economy.
The President of ISPON, Mr. James Agada expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage with LCCI. He also acknowledged his previous professional relationship with the Chamber’s leadership through Intel and described the meeting as an opportunity to establish a mutually beneficial partnership.
L-R: James Agada FNCS, President ISPON; Engr. Leye Kupoluyi, President, LCCI
Key Discussions and Areas of Collaboration
Promoting Indigenous Software and Innovation
The ISPON President provided an overview of the Institute’s mandate and achievements in promoting indigenous software development and innovation, both locally and internationally.
He noted that although ISPON and its members had recorded considerable achievements, the organisation had traditionally been somewhat inward-looking. ISPON was now seeking to engage more actively with other sectors of the economy to demonstrate the value and capabilities of Nigeria’s software industry.
He highlighted the need for software companies to focus not only on technology development but also on the business aspects of their operations, particularly business growth, commercialisation, and scalability.
Participation in LCCI Trade Missions and Exhibitions
ISPON proposed collaborating with LCCI to enable its members to participate in the Chamber’s trade missions and exhibitions. This would provide a platform for indigenous software companies to showcase their products, solutions, and technical capabilities to businesses across different sectors. The partnership would also create opportunities for business connections, partnerships, and increased adoption of locally developed software solutions.
Membership and Engagement with LCCI
ISPON proposed encouraging its corporate members to join LCCI to strengthen their access to the Chamber’s business network and opportunities.
It was also suggested that a webinar be organised to educate ISPON members on the benefits of LCCI membership, the services available to members, and how software companies could leverage the Chamber’s platform for business growth.
In addition, ISPON expressed its willingness to provide LCCI with relevant information and insights about the Nigerian software industry to support the Chamber’s engagement with the sector.
Development of a Software Industry Registry
ISPON informed LCCI of its ongoing initiative to develop a registry of indigenous software companies and their solutions, including a verification process to establish the credibility and capabilities of participating companies.
ISPON identified LCCI as a potential strategic partner in this initiative, particularly in relation to data provision, industry information, and facilitating the adoption of verified indigenous software solutions by the wider business community.
The initiative is expected to improve visibility, trust, and access to locally developed technology solutions.
Partnership on the LCCI Hub, Ikeja
The meeting explored opportunities for ISPON to collaborate with the LCCI Hub in Ikeja.
ISPON expressed interest in leveraging the Hub as a platform for engaging software developers and other relevant stakeholders to explore business opportunities and technology-driven solutions.
The Head of the LCCI Hub, welcomed the proposal and expressed interest in exploring practical ways to integrate ISPON’s activities and initiatives into the Hub’s programmes.
Collaboration on Certification and Capacity Development
The LCCI President, Engr. Leye Kupluyi, shared an experience from a conference in Germany, where he observed that practical business connections and opportunities were often more valuable than speeches and presentations.
He recounted how he had advocated for conference delegates to be given opportunities to pitch their businesses, resulting in approximately four business connections.
He also highlighted the possibility of establishing a certification programme for universities students and young graduates in partnership with ISPON and through the LCCI Hub.
The proposed collaboration could support stronger industry-academia relationships, improve the relevance of software education, and promote the development of practical skills required by the industry.
Engr. Leye Kupoluyi further emphasised that software is an enabling industry with significant potential to generate economic value and deliver relatively quick returns when properly developed and commercialised.
Local Adoption of Indigenous Software
The Deputy Treasurer of LCCI, Mrs, Aderonke Agbeyegbe, expressed support for the proposed partnership, noting that it had come at an opportune time.
She emphasised the importance of local adoption of indigenous software solutions and observed that stronger collaboration between ISPON and LCCI could help accelerate the acceptance and use of Nigerian-developed technology by businesses.
Engagement Around ICTEL EXPO 2027
ISPON expressed its interest in playing a more significant role in ICTEL EXPO 2027 and looked forward to exploring opportunities for collaboration with LCCI around the initiative.
L-R: Mrs. Aderonke Agbeyegbe, Deputy Treasurer, LCCI; Paul Uzoechina, Executive Secretary, ISPON; James Agada FNCS, President ISPON; Engr. Leye Kupoluyi, President, LCCI; Dr. Chinyere Almona, DG, LCCI; Mrs. Adedoyin Ekundayo, Head, Business Education Services and Training (BEST)
Key Outcomes and Areas of Agreement
The discussions reflected a strong alignment between ISPON and LCCI on the importance of promoting indigenous software, supporting business growth, and strengthening local technology adoption.
The following areas emerged as key opportunities for collaboration:
- Trade Mission Participation: Facilitating the participation of ISPON members in LCCI trade missions and exhibitions to showcase indigenous software products and solutions.
- Corporate Membership: Encouraging ISPON corporate members to join LCCI and benefit from its business network and services.
- Joint Webinar: Organising a webinar for ISPON members to highlight the benefits and opportunities associated with LCCI membership.
- Industry Registry: Exploring LCCI’s support for ISPON’s software company and solutions registry, particularly in data provision and promoting verified companies.
- LCCI Hub Partnership: Exploring opportunities to integrate ISPON’s programmes and activities into the LCCI Hub in Ikeja.
- Certification for Undergraduates and Fresh Graduates: Exploring a joint certification programme involving ISPON, LCCI, universities, and the LCCI Hub.
- Industry Engagement: Strengthening the exchange of information and insights between both organisations to support the growth of the Nigerian software industry.
- ICTEL EXPO 2027: Exploring opportunities for ISPON and LCCI to collaborate and increase ISPON’s participation.
Next Steps
The following actions were identified for further engagement:
- ISPON and LCCI to continue discussions on the proposed areas of collaboration and identify practical implementation approaches.
- ISPON to organise a webinar for its members on the benefits of LCCI membership, with LCCI representatives invited to participate.
- Both organisations to explore arrangements for ISPON members to participate in LCCI trade fairs and exhibitions.
- ISPON and LCCI to initiate discussions on the proposed software industry registry and potential data-sharing arrangements.
- ISPON to engage with the LCCI Hub team on opportunities for programme integration and joint activities.
- Both organisations to explore the proposed university certification programme.
- Further discussions to be held on ISPON’s participation in ICTEL EXPO 2027.
L-R: Mrs. Aderonke Agbeyegbe, Deputy Treasurer, LCCI; James Agada FNCS, President ISPON; Engr. Leye Kupoluyi, President, LCCI; Dr. Chinyere Almona, DG, LCCI; Mrs. Adedoyin Ekundayo, Head, Business Education Services and Training (BEST); Paul Uzoechina, Executive Secretary, ISPON
Closing Remarks
The ISPON President expressed satisfaction with the positive outcome of the meeting and noted that the engagement had provided a good foundation for a productive relationship between both organisations.
He reaffirmed ISPON’s commitment to sustaining the discussions and translating the areas identified into actionable initiatives.
The DG, LCCI reiterated the Chamber’s readiness to partner with businesses and organisations to support their growth and success.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both parties expressing optimism about building a strategic partnership that would strengthen Nigeria’s indigenous software industry and promote greater technology adoption across the business community.
Overall, the meeting marked an important step towards establishing a strategic relationship between ISPON and LCCI, with shared interests in business development, indigenous innovation, capacity building, and the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.
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