By Editor The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) , joined the global community in marking the 2025 World Software Freedom Day with a dialogue on the future of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS).
Held at CITAD’s office in Kano, the event brought together programmers, innovators, policymakers, and government representatives to reflect on the role of software freedom in driving digital independence and innovation.
Speaking during the session, Malam Ibrahim Nuhu of CITAD said the commemoration was designed to raise public awareness on the importance of FOSS.
He explained that software freedom is not only about free access to tools, but also about empowering individuals and communities to build a digitally self-reliant society.
“FOSS gives users the liberty to run software for any purpose, study and adapt it to their needs, and share it with others. Embracing this freedom is vital if Africa is to move from being a passive consumer of technology to becoming a creator and innovator,” Nuhu said.
He urged governments to support local FOSS initiatives, invest in training, and formulate policies that promote open standards and open-source solutions.
Delivering a goodwill message, Hon. Yusuf Ibrahim Sharada, Special Adviser to the Governor of Kano State on Digital Economy, commended CITAD for bringing together experts to deliberate on software freedom.
He noted that technology plays a critical role in solving societal challenges across education, healthcare, security, and water management — with software development at the heart of these solutions.
“That is why it is important to engage developers on both closed and open software, especially the relevance of software freedom,” Sharada stated.
He further highlighted Kano State Government’s commitment to digital transformation, citing the creation of the Kano State Information Technology Development Agency (KASITDA) as part of efforts to position the state as a key player in Nigeria’s tech space.
Other highlights of the celebration included goodwill messages from the Ministry of Science and Technology, as well as practical demonstrations of open-source projects by innovators.
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