The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has given a prize of thirty million naira (N30 million) to the businesses that were victorious in the Hackathon that was recently held.
This was stated by Engineer Ubale Maska, who serves as the Executive Commissioner of Technical Services for the NCC. He made these remarks during the grand finale of the 2023 Talent Hunt Research through Hackathon, which was recently held in Abuja and was organized by the NCC.
Maska, who was not present but was represented by Ismail Adedigba, the Director of Research and Development at NCC, stated that each of the three winners received N10 million in compensation for their efforts.
He mentioned that among the winners was Solaris Greentech, which took first place in the blockchain thematic area; Knownow Africa Blockchain, which took first place in the assistive technology thematic area; and Specxcare Limited, which took first place in the renewable energy thematic area.
According to the director, nine other competitors in the startup competition were also given N500,000 each in recognition of their efforts and participation.
According to him, the commission had been quite active in promoting hackathon competitions with thematic focuses that were intended to tackle critical concerns within the telecom industries and society as a whole.
According to Maska, hackathons have resulted in the development of inventive solutions to problems such as kidnapping and banditry, the management of electronic trash, and strategies to reduce the COVID-19 epidemic.
According to him, the focus of this year’s hackathon event was on three crucial topical issues that were relevant to concerns all over the world, not just in Nigeria.
According to Maska, the aforementioned domains include blockchain-enabled data protection solutions for boosting regulatory compliance, assistive technology solutions for the elderly and those with disabilities, and technology solutions for renewable energy in rural areas.
He stated that the commission adopted a comprehensive strategy in order to encourage these potentially game-changing ideas.
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NCC’s EC of technical services remarks
Maska stated that an incubation and mentorship program would come first, followed by the hackathon. The purpose of the program would be to provide businesses, innovators, and tech entrepreneurs with the essential skills to develop their ideas further.
According to him, the subsequent step would involve implementing digitally innovative services and products that would result from hackathons.
Maska stated that the NCC had implemented all three winning solutions from the 2020 hackathon. These solutions had been painstakingly developed to combat pandemics and diseases that posed a threat to the nation.
“The Hackathon will be preceded by an Incubation and Mentorship Programme, which will be designed to equip startups, innovators and tech entrepreneurs with the necessary skills to refine their ideas.
“This phase encompasses critical aspects such as determining product-market fit, navigating intellectual property challenges, and constructing robust business plans.
“Additionally, it offers us the opportunity to gauge the impact that these grants and prizes have had on the beneficiaries and the industry.
“This year’s event focuses on three pivotal thematic areas, those that not only pertain to our great nation but also resonate with global concerns.
“Thus far, we have successfully adopted all three winning solutions from the 2020 Hackathon. These solutions were meticulously crafted to combat pandemics and epidemics that threatened our nation,” he said.
NCC Comments
In his capacity as director of Research and Development at the NCC, Ismail Adedigba stated that the creative Hackathon, if held periodically, presented priceless possibilities to discover and adapt to new technology.
According to him, it was essential to admit that young innovators had a vital role to play in addressing existing industry challenges and devising technology-driven solutions that deliver meaningful social effects. He said this was imperative because it was imperative to acknowledge that young innovators had a pivotal role to play in addressing existing industrial challenges.
According to Adedigba, innovation in communication technologies is the primary force responsible for the basic foundation of the telecommunications business as it is at the present time.
He reaffirmed the commission’s dedication to constructing and bolstering the bridge that connects tech hubs and the telecom industry.
“We have every confidence that you have brought forth a plethora of creative solutions, and we eagerly anticipate the outstanding prototypes that will emerge from your endeavours.
“Technology has emerged as the catalyst that unleashes unprecedented potential in ways we could scarcely fathom.
“Consequently, the advancement of the Telecommunication sector, and doing so in a manner that is sustainable and ethical, should be a collective concern for all of us,” Adedigba said.
At the 2023 Talent Hunt Research, a total of twelve start-ups from different geopolitical zones across the country competed, and three of them eventually emerged victorious.