NCC gives N20m grants to four innovative tech startups
In efforts to support indeginous innovations, Nigerian Communications Commission(NCC), has awarded Four deserving Nigerian tech startups grants worth N20 million for their novel digital solutions aimed at curbing insecurity and advancing Internet of Things(IoT) frontier in the Country.
Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta disclosed this in his remarks at the grand prize award ceremony for Virtual NCC Internet of Things(IoT) Code Camp and Hackathon 2021 held in the Commission’s headquarters Abuja on Thursday.
The four startups namely, Clearflow system Hub, Aelaus Engineering teams/Hyech Electronics solutions focused on IoT (Internet of Things) for kidnapping and banditry in Nigeria while Kalibotics, CyberNorth Tech concentrated on assistive robotics for effective e-waste management.
The startups were awarded N5million grants each.
Danbatta represented by the Director New Media and Information Security NCC, Alhasan Haru, explained that the event is inline with the Commission’s Strategic Vision Plan 2021-2025 and Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan(NESP).
According to him, “Today’s event aligns with the Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP) 2020, which underpins the need to promote local production, local services, local innovation, and the use of local materials, in line with the Mandate of the Presidential Executive Order 5 of 2017, on the Promotion of Nigerian Content in Contracts and Science, Engineering and Technology.
“The Commission’s Strategic Vision Plan 2021-2025, which captures the need to encourage the development of new technologies and indigenous content, through cutting edge research, to stimulate sustainable economic growth and development in Nigeria is demonstrated through this event.
“In this year’s Hackathon, our goal is to challenge the creativity and harness the innovative prowess of our young digital driven population to develop smart Solutions leveraging emerging technologies in addressing the challenges of Banditry, Kidnapping and e-waste management,” he said.
Earlier, NCC Commissioner Technical Services, Engr. Ubale Maska noted that the event has demonstrated the critical role telecommunications sector plays in addressing Nigeria’s social and environmental problems with innovative solutions.
Maska represented by Head Research and Development NCC, Kelechi Nwankwo reiterated that the commission will continue to support innovations for nation building.
“To develop innovative Internet Of Things IOT solutions for combating kidnapping and banditry and for effective e-waste management in the country. At the close of entry had 54 proposals from 34 organizations but at the end of the two- stage assessment by the panel of judges, Four top startups two from each thematic areas of Hackathon selected to pitch. Four final winning digital solutions from indigenous startups,” he said.
Chairman of Panel of Judges, Dr Uche Uwaje said all the entries are deserving winners.
Representatives from Security Agencies, telecommunications operators, National Financial Intelligence Unit(NFIU), and other Sister agencies lauded the initiatives.
In his remarks, one of the winners, CEO Clearflow system Hub, Mr Francis Idachaba said he will put to the grant into judicious use.
NCC organized the first edition of this event last year, were winners went home with prizes worth over N9million.
