Regulator clarifies objectives of Telecoms-based Research Innovation programme for Nigerian academics

*Telecommunications-Based Research Innovation from Academics in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions programme is part of the Nigerian Communications Commission’s agenda for enhancing indigenous content and ensuring ‘industry-ready’ graduates for sustainable development of the telecoms industry

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In response to some inquiries on the programme, the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has made clarifications to the Request for Proposals on the Telecommunications-Based Research Innovation from Academics in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions programme.

ConsumerConnect reports Prof. Umar G. Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NCC, in a recent notice on the Commission’s Web site titled, “Addendum: Request for Proposals for Telecommunications Based Research from Academics in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions”, noted that the Telecommunications-based research Innovations from the Academics in the Nigerian Tertiary Institutions programme is designed to achieve the following objectives as:

1. Feasible Research ideas, capable of replacing or enhancing foreign technologies in the telecommunications ecosystem in Nigeria, i.e., development of indigenous content in sector factor.
2. Support development of capacity in the tertiary institutions (researching on emerging technologies) and promote Nigeria’s contribution to the pool of technologies in use in the Communications industry.
3. Viable prototypes commercialisation should result in spin-off companies, creating wealth for the tertiary institutions and job opportunities for the students that worked on the projects.
4. The programme is part of the Nigerian Communications Commission’s agenda for enhancing indigenous content and ensuring “industry-ready” graduates for sustainable development of the Nigerian telecommunications industry.
5. The published research proposal outline included sections on Evidence of Local Content Realisation up to Prototype Stage and, Relevance to the Telecoms and related Industry.
6. The Research Grant is awarded to the Tertiary Institutions and therefore paid into the Tertiary Institution’s nominated account. The institution will disburse the Grant to the Lead Researcher of each team, and
7. Each research would lead to the development of a prototype that must be submitted to the Nigerian Communications Commission at the end of each project.

Danbatta further disclosed that all other information in the original advertisements of July 5, 2021, remains valid.

“This addendum while not being different from the document on the Programme’s Request for Proposals published on the Commission’s website and Social media handles as well as some national dailies (ThisDay, Leadership & The Sun) on July 05, 2021, the deadline for the submission of responses has been extended to August 31, 2021,” the NCC EVC stated.

He said that research teams that had already submitted their proposals but wished to update them, sequel to this addendum, are permitted to do so.

“Such new submission must include a letter withdrawing the easier submission,” he added.