The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has given a N20 million grant to four worthy Nigerian tech businesses as part of its support for the startup ecosystem and as a boost to innovation for the digital economy.
The funding is part of the Commission’s commitment, coordinated by Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta (executive vice chairman), to foster the development of innovative indigenous technologies and content based on cutting-edge research in order to generate long-term economic growth.
The four tech startups are as follows:
- Clearflow System Hub,
- Aelaus Engineering Teams/Hyech Electronics Solutions,
- Kalibotics, and
- CyberNorth Tech.
They won the Virtual NCC Internet of Things (IoT) Code Camp and Hackathon 2021, receiving N5 million each for their unique technology ideas targeted at improving Nigerians’ lives.
While Clearflow System Hub and Aelaus Engineering Teams/Hyech Electronics Solutions won the IoT category for kidnapping and banditry, Kalibotics and CyberNorth Tech won the assistive robotics category for effective e-waste management solutions.
The funding was for four entrepreneurs’ unique digital solutions, with the goal of developing innovative digital solutions to alleviate insecurity and reduce national e-waste rates while pushing the Internet of Things (IoT) frontier in Nigeria.
Dr. Haru Al-Hassan, director, New Media and Information Security, NCC, who spoke on behalf of Prof. Umar Danbatta at the prize-giving ceremony held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja recently, described the Commission as a frontline driver of innovation in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry.
The initiative, according to Danbatta, is in line with the objectives of the Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP) 2020, the Nigerian Communications Commission’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 promoting Nigerian content in contracts, science, engineering, and technology.
The EVC went on to say that the event represents the NCC’s commitment to achieving the goals of pillars 4, 7, and 8 of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030, as well as the Commission’s SVP 2021-2025 in promoting innovative services and maintaining effective partnerships and collaborations with relevant stakeholders.
Ubale Maska, the executive commissioner of Technical Services, who was represented by Kelechi Nwankwo, the head of Research and Development, had earlier stated that the event demonstrated the critical role that the telecommunications sector plays in providing innovative solutions to Nigeria’s social and environmental problems.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting innovations for nation-building on a continuing basis.
Maska said the event boldly demonstrates the Commission’s resolve to champion the government’s efforts to leverage telecommunications-based solutions to address societal issues that require immediate attention, highlighting the Commission’s determination to harness the potentials of Nigerian youth in addressing emerging challenges through ICT.
At the event, representatives from security governance agencies, telecommunications operators, the National Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), and Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) praised the NCC for the important endeavor.
