NCC invites proposals for N14m 2021 telecoms-based research innovations from Nigerian academics

*The Nigerian Communications Commission says the research initiative will help to build capacity in the country’s tertiary institutions, and promote Nigeria’s contribution to the pool of technologies in use in the global communications industry

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

As part of the industry regulator’s efforts at deepening the contributions of the country’s academia to the development of the telecommunications industry, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is requesting proposals for the 2021 telecommunications-based research from academics in the Nigerian tertiary institutions.

ConsumerConnect reports the telecoms regulatory Commission in an announcement July 5, 2021 titled, “Request for Proposal (RFP): 2021 Telecommunications-Based Research Innovations From Academics In Nigerian Tertiary Institutions”, said it envisioned the initiative would help in building capacity in the tertiary institutions.

It also stated that the initiative would promote Nigeria’s contribution to the pool of technologies in use in the global communications industry.

The statement said: “Nigerian Communications Commission, the Regulator of the telecommunications industry in Nigeria, supports among other things, telecommunications-based research innovations from tertiary institutions in the country that are practical, locally realisable and have clear potential of contributing to the development of the telecommunications industry.

“Pursuant to this objective the Commission invites proposals from academics in tertiary institutions that have feasible research ideas, capable of replacing or enhancing foreign technologies in the telecommunications ecosystem in Nigeria.”

The Commission listed the areas of research as 5G Deployment, Innovative Clean Energy Technology, Advanced Method of Quality of Service (QoS)/Quality of Experience Management and Test Mechanism, loT Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) Technology and Monitoring and Localisation of Drones.

The NCC directs any interested researchers to visit its Web site at: https://ncc.gov.ng/technical-regulation/research/1026-research-grant-2021 to access topics in each of the areas of research and detailed structure of their proposals.

“It is envisaged that the initiative will help build capacity in the tertiary institutions and promote Nigeria’s contribution to the pool of technologies in use in the communications industry,” the announcement noted.

As regards the requirements expected from prospective applicants, the Commission stated that “interested researchers are required to submit their proposals which must come from teaching academics in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

“Have a two-page executive summary. One page will be on the research proposal which should include relevance of the research to the telecommunications industry, proposed solution to identified challenges, novelty of concept and research output (prototype) and the second page would be on the project timeline, deliverables and detailed cost schedule.”

It also outlined the criteria for the evaluation of the research submissions, according to the NCC, include the following: “The area must fall within the specified areas of research; Novelty of research proposal (comprehensive literature review to bring out clearly the novelty of the research);

“Clear statement and explanation of the problem; Proposed solution to the problem; Proposed approach and methodology; each project including prototype development must be concluded within 2 years.

The regulator further said: “The project cost should not exceed a maximum of Fourteen Million Naira (₦14,000,000.00) only,” adding though “the Commission reserves the right to review this maximum amount.”

It, however, noted that any academic institution with an ongoing research project with the NCC should not apply.

Such a tertiary institution of learning is directed to visit its Web site at: www.ncc.gov.ng/technical-regulation/research for more information in this regard.

“Clear relevance to the telecommunications industry; Cost reasonableness (cost of actualising the idea, including hardware and software requirements but excluding purchase of vehicles, Furniture or Internet data, foreign trips and allowances); Schedule of project organisation.

“Coherent presentation/packaging of concept. Integration of research with education (capacity building of students via the implementation of the project in the institution); Allowance for researchers should not exceed 20% of cost of actually doing the research,” it stated.

The Commission, therefore, invites interested researchers to submit a copy of an ELECTRONIC (neatly saved inside a USB in PDF format) and two HARD copies of their research proposals on or before August 16, 2021 to the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO

Attention: Director, Research and Development, Nigerian Communications Commission, Plot 423, Aguiyi lronsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, FCT.