Bukola Afeni
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), through the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), has announced the launch of the 2024 Digital Nigeria Innovation Challenge scheduled to begin from September 11 to October 23, 2024.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Director, Corporate Affairs and External Relations of NITDA, Mrs Hadiza Umar.
The 2024 Innovation Challenge is set to empower the next wave of Nigeria’s brightest innovators.
According to Umar, the Innovation challenge will comprises three-stage competition from September 11 until October 23, 2024. The final pitch event will take place on October 23, 2024 at the prestigious International Conference Centre in Abuja.
The statement reads: “It’s more than just a competition; it’s an opportunity to leverage technology and creative problem-solving to tackle the pressing infrastructure challenges facing the nation.
“This initiative plays a pivotal role in achieving the core objectives of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, driving economic growth and fostering job creation. Aligned with NITDA’s mission to promote innovation and entrepreneurship, the challenge supports Nigeria’s leap towards a thriving digital economy under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy’s Strategic blueprint.
“With a focus on building a future-ready digital Nigeria, participants will collaborate in teams, using digital tools and techniques to digitally map key infrastructure in across Nigeria. The maps will highlight essential facilities like hospitals, schools, roads, and utilities and provide insights needed to drive sustainable development across the country.”
The three stages comprises the State Level which includes Competitors from all 36 states and the FCT will battle it out, with 37 teams moving to the next round, Regional Level would include 6 geo-political zones, with 6 regional winners emerging while the National Level (Grand Finale) the regional champions will meet in Abuja for the Digital Nigeria Conference.
Each of the 6 regional winners will walk away with One Million Naira (₦1 Million) while the national winner will take home the Grand Prize of Five Million Naira (₦5 Million)!
Umar said the challenge is about building Nigeria’s future today adding that participants will create comprehensive, data-driven maps that shine a light on critical infrastructure across Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT.
“The Key areas of focus include: Healthcare, Education, Transportation, Utilities and Public Services.”