NCC Releases N5m to Support Startup Development, Local Content

Emma Okonji
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has released N5 million as grant to three top winners of the 2021 Emerging Technologies Research and ICT Innovation Competition and Exhibition.

The overall winner got N2.5 million while the first runner up got N1.5 million and the second runner up got N1 million.
The Emerging Technologies Research and ICT Innovation Competition and Exhibition, is an annual competition, organised by NCC to promote startups development and to boost local developed solutions that address specific needs of organisations.

Our of 44 applications received by NCC this year, the top 20 were shortlisted and were made to pitch their solution before competent judges, before the three top finalists emerged.

The pitch was held this week at the Digital Bridge Institute in Lagos.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta said: “Through the exhibition, the commission will assist contestants build rewarding and sustainable business partnerships, find best business innovations that have the potential to succeed in the commercial environment, and provide opportunity for them to present their plans to a group of local and global venture capitalists.”

Danbatta who was represented by a senior management staff at NCC, Mr. Chimezie Amadi, said: “By this, ICT innovations will be promoted in ways that improve the nation’s ability to compete in the global economy, increase investment in youth and promotion of Tech Hubs and Startups for new business delivery breakthroughs and also enhance digital economy, in line with NCC’s Strategic Vision Implementation Plan SVIP (2021-2025).

The Executive Commissioner, Technical Services at NCC, Ubale Maska, said: “At the close of entry on November 29, 2021, 44 valid proposals were received from 42 contestants each with unique digital product/ service for meeting industry and societal needs. However, at the end of the two stage assessments by the Judges, the top three Startups that emerge winners will be rewarded with cash prizes ranging from N2.5 million for the overall winner, N1.5 million for the first runner-up and N1.0 million for the second runner-up respectively.

The Research and Development Department will continue to work assiduously towards the meeting the objective of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 which states inter alia “encourage the development of a communications manufacturing and supply sector within the Nigerian economy and also encourage effective research and development efforts by all communications industry practitioners”, while supporting management in driving the digital Nigeria agenda of the federal government.”

Head of Entrepreneurship and Business Studies, Federal University of Technology, Mina, Niger State, Prof. Olalekan Busra Sakariyau, who delivered the keynote paper on, “The National Strategy for Promoting of Indigenous Contents in the Telecoms Sector,” stressed the need for coordination and partnerships that will further deepen indigenous capacities. Speaking about some of the strategies to achieve growth in indigenous solutions, Sakariyau called for a balanced education that will challenge students in their practical skills and social interaction skills. He said digital access remained an important factor, but that it should be accompanied with opportunities for local and regional organisations to secure resources to meet community development goals.