By Divinegrace Ogbodo
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), on Thursday concluded its maiden Digital Innovation Challenge 2024 doling a total aggregate of N10 million to the 6 states that participated in the competition.
The competition began with 1500 representatives from across the 36 states including FCT was narrowed down to 6 states making it to the finals in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Team Inframapperss, a dynamic team of young Kaduna state innovators comprising of Lukman Abdulharim, Bello Abdullahi and Muhammad Alaamin, carted away with the winner’s price of N5 million with other representatives from Abia, Adamawa, Benue, Edo and Lagos state, each received N1million
The Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Kashifu Inuwa, in his address presented by the Director of the Department of Information Technology, Infrastructure Solutions, Mr. Olawumi Oladejo, stressed the importance of data which is the currency of the digital economy and NITDA’s “Innovation Nests” for 2025.
“NITDA is setting up Innovation Nests to create a place to have fun and meet angel investors.
“By next year, there will be 9 innovation nests and we are working to uphold data sovereignty by partnering with hyper pillars like Alibaba, cloud and so on to ensure we have control over our own data.
“Youths should harness the Start-up Act which enables innovators access to fundings and investors.” He said.
The National Coordinator of the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), Mrs. Victoria Fabunmi, explained that NITDA and ONDI have collaborated to foster innovative solutions to address problems in the country and influence policy making.
She congratulated the participants for the opportunity to make it to the competition, adding that this maiden edition of DNIC2024 will not be the last but the first of many to come.
“We have worked tirelessly to ensure we champion the spirit of collaboration through innovation.
“NITDA is tasked with the responsibility of developing, regulating and advising everything on information technology from regulatory standards to guidance and policy making.
“This event aligns with our plans by fulfilling the pillars of knowledge, innovation and policy.
“Participants have an opportunity to showcase their innovative ideas after spending months looking through Infrastructures across the country and identifying areas of opportunities and areas to strengthen our innovative ecosystem.” She said.
The Dean of Faculty of Physical Sciences who is an Artificial Intelligence expert at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra State, Prof. Kingsley Nwozor, commended the federal government for using data to provide solutions to problems confronting the country.
According to him, more work and education needs to be done because of the many opportunities that lies within the ecosystem.
“During the pandemic, for instance, Nigeria used the NCDC COVID-19 microsite to share case, updates, testing locations and vaccination progress.
“Data is the new oil and lifeblood of the digital economy. It is reusable, inexhaustible and you can have access to it if given the licence.
“Leveraging data for societal change will drive us across many sectors like healthcare, security, education, agriculture and so on. Countries like UK, US, India and Rwanda if we properly utilize data, it can redefine public services, enhance economic activities and improve quality of life. ” He said.
