Abstract: While software and data piracy attract penalty in developed countries, it is a widespread practice in many developing countries where adoption of Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems (RS and GIS) is prominent, though rapidly evolving, RS and GIS is largely characterized by high costs of ‘high profile’ software, hardware and high-resolution imageries. This study focused on the assessment of the perception on open-source GIS software in selected institutions across Nigeria. Ten tertiary institutions (comprising of universities and GIS training centres, with curricula for postgraduate programmes in the field) and two privately-owned GISbased organizations were selected for investigation on the kinds and methods of acquisition of software, as well as their reactions to open-source software’s usage and the challenges of using them. Data for the research comprised of used and preferred software from key informants such as Directors of Programmes or Coordinators in the Departments offering the courses in these institutions, selected students and trainers/lecturers/instructors of the programmes. Results from this study exposed the use, progress, and nature of software usage in spatial data collection and analysis in a typical developing country in sub-Saharan Africa. Results showed that the perception to Open-Source GIS software was positive and 80% will definitely use it. Results further showed that all the participants cited financial constraints as justification for the use of ‘cracked’ GIS software. This study recommends manpower capacity for GIS applications to further develop GIS trainers in open-source GIS software. Also, introduction of studies on software, particularly open-source GIS software into the GIS curriculum in all the institutions building capacity in the field is recommended.
Key words: Developing countries, GIS, Knowledge transfer, Open source data and software, Software piracy.