The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled winners of 2023 hackathon talent hunt at the just concluded Talent Hunt Research aimed at showcasing extraordinary innovation and technological prowess amongYouths.

Announcing the winners at the NCC Headquarters in Abuja, President of Digital Bridge Institute , Prof Mohammed Ajiya said the Hackathon was geared towards fostering economic growth and social advancement in Nigeria.

The winners included Solaris Greentech, which won the renewable energy thematic area; Known now Africa Blockchain won the blockchain thematic area while Specxcare Limited won the assistive tech thematic area. He said.

Prof Ajiya said the 2023 NCC Talent Hunt Research through Hackathon, which is the third in the series was organized as part of efforts by the commission to give expression to its Strategic Vision Plan 2023-2025, to encourage the development of new technologies and indigenous content through cutting-edge research.

Also, Executive Commissioner, NCC Engr Ubale Maska, explained that the Talent Hunt Research through Hackathon is just the inception of the Commission’s unwavering commitment to nurturing innovation and nascent ideas, adding that talent Hunt has become a platform where innovative ideas flourish, and aspirations transform into reality for burgeoning startups.

Maska said the occasion was of paramount importance as it aligned perfectly with one of the core objectives embedded within the Commission’s new Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) for the years 2023-2025.

According to Maska; “Our primary aim is to foster the development of cutting-edge technologies through rigorous research, thereby catalyzing sustainable economic growth and overall development within Nigeria.

“In a world where innovation is paramount, we often witness the remarkable potential of Hackathons to showcase, fresh perspectives on existing challenges. These events serve as instrumental tools in sustaining innovation and mobilizing the collective intelligence of the innovators to tackle pressing real-world issues, both in the business realm and within our social fabric.

He further said that the NCC has the SmartClinic, a versatile mobile and web solution that seamlessly connects patients through a mobile health app with a Hospital Information Management System (HIMS), adding that the innovation boasts an array of features, including COVID-19 self-assessment, hospital registration through the app, instant consultation options encompassing chat, voice, and video, and comprehensive documentation by doctors.

According to Maska; “Our Commission has facilitated the deployment of this solution to four teaching hospitals and two state-owned hospitals across the six geopolitical zones of our nation.”

“The transformative power of innovation knows no bounds, and together, we will continue to explore uncharted territories, seek ground breaking solutions, and ultimately, contribute to the progress and prosperity of our great nation,” he enthused.

The Director, Research and Development, NCC Alhaji Ismail Aderigbe in his welcome address at the event congratulated the young innovators that were carefully selected to participate in the highly competitive Hackathon project.

Adedigba said that Nigeria and Nigerians particularly the youths find themselves in an era marked by rapid change, driven incessantly by innovation and technology.

He added that the commission eagerly anticipate the outstanding commercialization of the prototypes that will emerge from their endeavors.

The director maintained that the competition would enable the translation of novel ideas into the development of hardware and software solutions to address industry and societal challenges.

“I am deeply convinced that events like this innovative Hackathon, if held regularly, offers us invaluable opportunities to unearth and adapt to new technologies. These adaptations will equip us to effectively navigate the ever-evolving landscape and surmount the current and future challenges facing not only our industries but also our broader societal spheres.

“It is imperative to acknowledge that our young innovators have a pivotal role to play in addressing existing industrial challenges and formulating technology-driven solutions that yield tangible social impact. Innovation in Communication Technologies stands as the driving force behind the very essence of the Telecommunication industry today,” he noted.

“Technology has emerged as the catalyst that unleashes unprecedented potential in ways we could scarcely fathom. Consequently, the advancement of the Telecommunication sector, and doing so in a manner that is sustainable and ethical, should be a collective concern for all of us.

“The rate of growth experienced by the Telecom sector, thanks to innovative research, is nothing short of enviable. It is essential that the vision of the Commission for this Competition resonates profoundly with all stakeholders in general and accelerating our collective prosperity through technical efficiency agenda of the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy,” he said.