Four deserving Nigerian tech startups have clinched the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) N20 million grant in furtherance of its commitment to encourage development of new indigenous technologies and contents oriented in cutting-edge research to stimulate sustainable economic growth.
The startups – Clearflow System Hub, Aelaus Engineering Teams/Hyech Electronics Solutions, Kalibotics and CyberNorth Tech – emerged winners of virtual NCC Internet of Things (IoT) Code Camp and Hackathon 2021 and received N5 million each on their innovative technology solutions aimed at making life better for Nigerians.
While Clearflow System Hub and Aelaus Engineering Teams/Hyech Electronics Solutions emerged winners in the IoT category on kidnapping and banditry, Kalibotics and CyberNorth Tech emerged winners for their work in assistive robotics for effective e-waste management solutions.
The grant was aimed at finding innovative digital solutions in addressing the challenges of insecurity and stem the growth in national e-waste rates, while advancing the frontier of Internet of Things (IoT) in Nigeria.
Speaking at the prize-giving ceremony held at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja recently, the director, new media and information security, NCC, Dr. Haru Al-Hassan, who delivered a speech at the event in the stead of the executive vice chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, said the commission, as a frontline driver of innovation in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry, organized the second edition of the NCC Hackathon, to drive the emergence of problem-solving innovations.
Danbatta said that the initiative was in line with the objectives of the Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP) 2020, NCC’s Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) 2021-2025, Executive Order 5 of 2017 and Section 1 (f) of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), 2003, which focuses on the promotion of Nigerian content in contracts, science, engineering and technology.
The EVC added that the occasion also symbolises the NCC’s commitment to delivering objectives of pillars 4, 7 and 8 of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020 to 2030 and the aspirations of the commission’s SVP 2021-2025 in promoting innovative services and maintaining effective partnership and collaborations with relevant stakeholders.
Earlier, the executive commissioner, technical services, Engr. Ubale Maska, who was represented by the head, research and development, Kelechi Nwankwo, noted that the event demonstrated the critical role that the telecommunications sector plays in addressing Nigeria’s social and environmental problems with innovative solutions. He reiterated the commission’s commitment towards continuously supporting innovations for nation-building.
Underscoring the determination of the commission towards harnessing the potentials of Nigerian youths in addressing emerging challenges through ICT, Maska said the event boldly demonstrates the NCC’s resolve to champion the efforts of government to leverage telecommunications-based solutions to address urgent societal issues.
The director, public affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, in a statement made available to journalists over the weekend, said representatives of agencies in the security governance sector, telecommunications operators, National Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) that attended the event lauded the NCC for the meaningful initiative.
