The Nigerian Communications Commission NCC, says innovators hold the key to unlocking the potential of indigenous content development in Nigeria.
The Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC, Mr Ubale Maska made the statement at the ongoing Annual ICT Innovation, Competition and Exhibition in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.
Maska represented by Chimezie Amadi said developing home-grown innovative products and services in ICT would provide abundant benefits for sustainable development of the sector with huge multiplier effects on jobs and wealth creation across industries, improvement of balance of trade, stimulation of investment opportunities and increased domestic revenue.
“The NCC as a regulator of the Telecommunications sector has designed this programme to actualize the aspirations of the National Policy for the promotion of Indigenous content in the Nigerian Telecommunications Sector while giving effects to pillars three and five of the Strategic Vision Implementation Plan (2021-2025) which focused on promoting fair competition, inclusive growth, increased investment and innovative services as well as facilitating cooperation and partnerships among Nigerian tech ecosystem players”.
Speaking on the competition for the young start-ups, Maska said 44 valid proposals were received from 42 contestants; each with unique digital product or service to meet societal and industry needs.
“At the end of the two stage assessments by the judges, the top three start-ups who emerge winners, will be rewarded with cash prizes ranging from N2.5m, for the overall winner, N1.5m for the first runner-up and N1m for the second runner-up” he said.
Building sustainable partnerships
The Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Professor Umar Danbatta, represented by the Head of Research and Development, Mr. Kelechi Nwankwo said through the exhibition, the Commission would assist contestants to build and reward sustainable business partnerships.
The Commission would also find best business innovations which have the potential to succeed in the commercial environment, and provide opportunities for them to present plans to a group of local and global venture capitalists.
“Today’s event brings together, competitors from Innovation Driven Enterprises (IDEs), Technology Hubs and Digital Start-ups with innovative products and services to showcase their talents and innovations in ICT to the global community.
“Other objectives of this forum include providing networking platforms for innovators and tech enthusiasts who encourage relationship building, business connections and creation of opportunities, fostering business innovation and entrepreneurship; encourage increased investment and indigenous innovative services; stimulating the commercialization of indigenous innovative Solutions and responding to national challenges, using ICT”.
He said the ICT Innovation Competition/Exhibition is one of the Commission’s initiatives aimed at fostering increased national innovativeness, sustainable Digital Start-ups development and growth in the ICT sector.
The event which started on Monday December 6, will end on Wednesday December 8, 2021 with the winners going home with cash prizes.
The theme for the annual ICT Innovation, competition and Exhibition in Lagos, is “promoting sustainable digital service development in Nigeria”.
Nneka Ukachukwu
