Telecoms regulator advances local content, awards N20m grant to 4 technology startups

*The Nigerian Communications Commission says the emerged winners of its Virtual Internet of Things (IoT) Code Camp and Hackathon 2021 are oriented in cutting-edge research to innovate technology solutions and stimulate sustainable economic growth towards making life better for Nigerian consumers

Isola Moses  | ConsumerConnect

In furtherance of the telecoms sector regulator’s commitment to encouraging development of new indigenous technologies and content in the country, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has awarded N20million grant to four deserving Nigerian technonlgy startups.

ConsumerConnect reports the Commission said the emerged winners of the Virtual NCC Internet of Things (IoT) Code Camp and Hackathon 2021 are oriented in cutting-edge research to stimulate sustainable economic growth in the economy.

The four technology startups are Clearflow System Hub, Aelaus Engineering Teams/Hyech Electronics Solutions, Kalibotics, and CyberNorth Tech.

RELATED: NCC EVC Urges Nigerian Youths On Proper Application Of Digital Skills, ICT Tools

The NCC recently held the prize-giving ceremony at the Commission’s Headquarters, in Abuja, FCT.

The NCC noted that the firms emerged winners of this year’s Virtual NCC IoT Code Camp and Hackathon, and they received N5million each on their innovative technology solutions aimed at making life better for Nigerian consumers.

According to Commission, while the first two startups, Clearflow System Hub and Aelaus Engineering Teams/Hyech Electronics Solutions, emerged winners on IoT category on kidnapping and banditry, Kalibotics and CyberNorth Tech, emerged winners on assistive robotics for effective e-waste management solutions.

READ ALSO 5G Technology: Minister Urges Nigerians To Use Networks For Positive Impacts, Not Disunity

The regulator stated: “The grant was for the novel digital solutions of four startups, aimed at finding innovative digital solutions in addressing the challenges of insecurity and to stem the growth in national e-waste rates, while advancing the frontier of Internet of Things (IoT) in Nigeria.”

Dr. Haru Alhassan, Director of New Media and Information Security at NCC, delivering a speech at the prize-giving ceremony on behalf of Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Commission, said the telecoms regulator as a frontline driver of innovation in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry, organised the second edition of the NCC Hackathon with a view to driving the creation of problem-solving technology innovations.

RELATED: NCC Urges Stakeholders To Activate Digital Economy For Diversification, Transformation

Prof. Danbatta said that the initiative was in line with the objectives of the Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP) 2020, NCC’s Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) 2021-2025, Executive Order 5 of 2017, and Section 1 (f) of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, which focuses on promotion of Nigerian content in contracts, science, engineering and technology.

According to NCC EVC/CEO, the occasion also symbolises the Commission’s commitment to delivering objectives of Pillars 4, 7 and 8 of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030, and the aspirations of the NCC’s SVP 2021-2025 in promoting innovative services and maintaining effective partnership and collaborations with relevant stakeholders in the country.

Earlier, Ubale Maska,  Executive Commissioner, Technical Services of NCC, represented by Kelechi Nwankwo, Head of Research and Development, noted that the event demonstrated the critical role that the telecommunications sector plays in addressing Nigeria’s social and environmental problems with innovative solutions.

RELATED: NCC Chief Highlights Benefits Of Digital Literacy In Socio-Economic Transformation

Maska reiterated the Commission’s commitment to continuously supporting innovations for nation building.

Underscoring the determination of the Commission towards harnessing the potential of Nigerian youths in addressing emerging challenges through ICT, the NCC Executive Commissioner for Technical Services said the event boldly demonstrated Commission’s resolve to champion the efforts of government at leveraging telecommunications-based solutions to address societal issues that need urgent attention.

Representatives of agencies in the security governance sector, telecommunications operators, National Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that attended the event lauded the NCC for the meaningful initiative.