The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reinforced its commitment to digital inclusion with a N6 million grant awarded to three startups developing innovative digital solutions to improve accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
The start-ups were rewarded at the grand finale of the fourth edition of the NCC Hackathon Live Show in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, said innovation and technology would play a critical role in Nigeria’s economic future, stressing that achieving Nigeria’s $1 trillion economy would require ensuring that no sector or group of citizens is digitally excluded.
Maida, who spoke through the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management, Rimini Makama, said, “Nigeria today stands at a pivotal crossroad. As we work to build a resilient and diversified $1 trillion economy, we must recognise that true national progress is impossible if some of our citizens remain locked out.
This hackathon is our strategic response, as it is a platform where innovation is harnessed to ensure that no one is left behind in our nation’s digital transformation journey. Often, several interconnected barriers continue to shape the digital experiences of persons with disabilities (PWDs).”
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The NCC Chief cited World Bank estimates showing that about 25 million Nigerians live with at least one form of disability, noting that barriers to technology access often translate into exclusion from education, employment, healthcare and financial services.
He said the hackathon was created to encourage local innovators to develop practical solutions that remove such barriers and ensure that persons with disabilities are not left behind in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.
Also speaking, Chinyelu Chikwendu, Senior Manager, Strategy and Innovation at MTN Nigeria, commended the NCC for supporting innovation beyond its regulatory responsibilities.
She described the focus on persons with disabilities as commendable and reaffirmed MTN’s commitment to supporting startups and innovators working towards a more inclusive digital ecosystem.
In her remarks, the Director of the Digital Economy Department at the NCC, Hellen Obi, commended the commission for organising the hackathon. She also pledged to follow up with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, and MTN Nigeria, which had expressed their willingness to collaborate with the commission in nurturing the young innovators and harnessing the potential of their solutions.
Obi stated, “From the goodwill messages we have received, it is clear that we have not wasted our time here. The commission invested in this initiative, and we are already seeing the desired results. Part of the outcome is evident in the engagement we have had with the contestants.”
“And we are so excited about the opportunity that MTN has already offered to them and also the opportunity that has been provided by the central bank.”
At the end of the competition, Sora emerged as the winner and received N3 million, while Clear Signal placed second with N2 million, with Ikor finishing third with a N1 million award.
