Nigerian Tech Start-up Selected for World Summit Award

Emma Okonji

A Nigerian technology start-up, Carrot.ng has been shortlisted by the United Nations’ World Summits Awards as one of the ’40 Most Innovative Start-ups’ in 2018.

The company, which was shortlisted from among 400 companies that participated in the competition from all over the world, is the only Nigerian start-up on the list.  

The founders of Carrot, Luqman Balogun and Odunayo Williams, expressed delight at being shortlisted for the awards which took place in Portugal recently.

In a joint statement, Balogun and Williams said the feat proved that Carrot offered unique services capable of solving inheritance challenges.

According to the statement, “Estate planning is a very serious issue in Nigeria as most of us would have experienced the negative impact, especially on women and children, when our parents, family members, friends, colleagues, among others, die intestate without a will.

“We can reasonably deduce that intestacy accounts for about $10 billion ‘trapped’ in dormant accounts, treasury bills, unclaimed dividends, unclaimed insurance policies, pension funds, NHF, NSITF, in the financial system. The height of it all is that getting a letter of administration is not a ‘walk in a park’.

The statement added, “Carrot.ng is here to correct this narrative and we have simplified access to writing a will online. It is convenient, affordable and secure.

“Between 10 and 15 minutes, your will is completed and Carrot.ng will deliver the document to your home or office as well as process at probate after execution. Everyone over 18 years old must have a will irrespective of societal status, religion or tribe.”

The company encouraged Nigerians to protect their legacies and cautioned them to prepare for uncertainties.

“Life is so full of uncertainties hence, there is a need to consider having an estate plan to mitigate expected and unexpected challenges associated with securing the financial future for your loved ones.

“Putting in place a valid Will offers adequate protection of your legacies, especially for those you truly love should the need arise. An estate plan helps you realise the famous saying of ‘what we do in life echoes in eternity,” the founders further said. 

According to them, “Carrot.ng helps you to create, update and schedule execution of wills and or other testamentary instruments such as Deed of Gifts, Living Wills, Trusts and Power of Attorney, on a convenient, affordable and secure platform in real time, anywhere.