By Dele Ogbodo
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), weekend tasked Startups, Technology Enthusiasts, Technology Hubs, and Innovation Digital SMEs to proffer digital solution to the present COVID-19 pandemic and other epidemic prone diseases currently ravaging the world.
The Commission pledged that the three Startups with the most promising digital solution will each receive N3 million grant.
The information which was made available to the media on NCC’s website, said the delivery of the solution is expected to help Nigeria in the development of innovative services and life changing solutions leveraging on Information Communications Technologies (ICTs) to promote indigenous content development, economic growth and social advancement.
The statement read: “Pursuant to this objective, the Commission invites entries from Tech Hubs, Startups and Innovation Digital SMEs with promising and adaptable Digital Solutions that will aid in containing the impacts of pandemic and epidemic-prone diseases in Nigeria to a virtual Hackathon.”
The top 3 Startups with the most promising digital solutions, the Commission, said will receive a grant of N3 million each from the Commission to aid the development and deployment of these Solutions in Nigeria.
The Commission requests that applicants will need to have solutions that address issues in the under listed fields of interest: Health-finding ways to empower Healthcare workers on the front lines and bring support to individuals isolated at home.
“It should also include solutions to prevent, trace and contain the spread of Coronavirus in Nigeria.
“Community-help with digital communications that will aid the sustenance of economic activities and people to people communication while encouraging social distancing.
“Productivity- Enhance productivity of people working from home during this Lockdown and beyond.
“Education: Easy to Deploy, accessible and cost effective eLearning Solutions for Public Schools.
“Transportation: Improve safety in public transportation facilities in Nigeria.”
According to NCC, the criteria for evaluation of the proposed digital solutions will include:
adherence of proposal to stated requirements above, novelty of the proposed digital solution, clear problem statement and explanation of the proposed Solution.
Each Solution including prototype development, the Commission said must be concluded within 2 months of receipt of the grant, proof of concept and feasibility of idea with diagram and algorithm.
The statement added: “Submissions will undergo preliminary assessment. The proposals that are adjudged most promising and capable of positively impacting the fight against COVID-19 may be invited for defense of the proposals before a decision is taken on winners.
Tech Hubs, Startups and Innovation Digital SMEs are to submit soft copies (email to yikabir@ncc.gov.ng; fbruce@ncc.gov.ng; chimezie@ncc.gov.ng) on or before 5pm, Monday 17th July, 2020.