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Civic-Tech Hackathon: DG NITDA Urges Finalists to Channel Digital Solutions Toward Good Governance, National Development
Kashifu Inuwa, director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has encouraged the finalists of 2022 Yvote Naija Civic Tech Hackathon to channel their ingenuity into developing innovative solutions that will strengthen citizens’ participation in the electoral process and help deepen Nigeria’s democratic experience.
Engr. Ya’u Garba, representative of the Director-General of NITDA and National Cordinator of NCAIR, delivering the DG’s Keynote Address at the 2022 Civic Tech Hackathon
Inuwa, represented by Engr. Ya’u Garba, National Director, National Centre for Artificial intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), said this while delivering a Keynote Address at the Grand finale of the event in Abuja.
The DG emphatically stated the need to explore innovative civic-tech solutions to address persistent concerns of vote buying, voter apathy and electoral violence.
“As the 2023 general elections approach, the importance of this Civic Tech Hackathon cannot be over emphasized because citizens’ participation in the electoral process is an indispensable pillar of democracy and good governance.
“Participation mechanisms provide the government with regular feedback for developing policies and designing decisions processes that promote democratic ethos and with our general elections around the corner, Nigeria needs programmes like this Civic Tech Hackathon to help bolster inclusive and accountable decision-making, equitable civic participation and voice, effective public service delivery and government responsibility”, Inuwa avowed.
According to him, the outcome of the grand finale would further bring to fore, the value that technology brings to the electoral process.
“Technological innovations have revolutionized and transformed the way we live, work, and interact with people near and far. In the process, technology is helping us to constantly evolve and achieve more to make the world a better place for all across the social, economic, and political realms”, he affirmed.
Inuwa added that introduction of technology into the electoral process is generating both interest and concern among voters, as well as practitioners, across the globe.
He however stressed that most electoral management bodies around the world are adopting new technologies like Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing amongst others, to improve the different stages of their electoral process, before, during, and after the elections.
“In order to guarantee efficiency and improve confidence in their electoral systems, many countries are increasingly looking in the direction of digital technology as essential to the conduct of credible elections and enhancement of political transparency”.
“Digital technology has been deployed across the process from voter registration, voter accreditation, the casting of a ballot, collation/counting of votes, transmission, and publication of the results.
“This has resulted in increased participation among voters and made elections more inclusive for voters across every segment of the population, especially people living with disabilities.
“Other applications of digital technologies also include the compilation of voter lists, demarcation of electoral boundaries, and conducting voter education campaigns”, he said.
While saluting the courage and determination of the Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI), Yvote Naija, and Christian Aid for the initiative to discover lasting solutions to prevailing challenges in the electoral system and ensure the active participation of Nigerians in the process, Inuwa expressed optimism that at the end of the event, there shall be emergence of innovative civic-tech solutions to eliminate the irregularities and fraudulent practices that have been the bane of Nigeria’s electoral processes.
He added that NITDA is committed to entrenching technology and innovation as critical tools for the successful implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), and the Agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (2021 – 2024) toward growing the nation’s prosperity.
“Through the continued support of the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), the Agency has initiated and organized numerous hackathons and competitions to support more indigenous innovators and entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions for solving our local problems.
“Thus, it has been using these programmes as platforms to encourage talented young Nigerians to showcase their innovative ideas and solutions”, Inuwa stressed.
He further notified the audience that NITDA has taken strides to roll out several programmes and initiatives in partnership with international and local agencies and development organizations to foster creative and innovative ideas within Nigeria’s teeming youth.
“Such programmes include the Bridge to MassChallenge Nigeria program, which is a sponsored collaboration between NITDA and MassChallenge (a global network of zero-equity startup accelerators based in the US), and iHatch incubation program which is a partnership with Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA).”
“We have equally launched the FabLab, first of its kind in Nigeria, within the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) to provide the required support and facilities for our teeming innovators to be able to prototype and commercialise their ideas.
“The Nigerian Government remains relentless in its commitment to sustaining the enabling environment to entrench innovation hence NITDA established two key subsidiaries – the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) and the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) through which the Agency implements programmes and initiatives to inspire innovation among the youth while also strengthening the ecosystem”.
Inuwa explained that the subsidiaries are adapting activities to focus on strengthening the innovation ecosystem through collaboration, supporting innovation by promoting the adoption of emerging technologies for sustainable development, digital job creation, and promoting indigenous content development.
He congratulated the finalists for having come thus far in the hackathon and assured that NITDA alongside its subsidiaries and the overwhelming support Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, is ready, willing, and able to work with like-minded organisations to expand the frontiers of result-oriented digital solutions for good governance and national development.
“Whatever the outcome at the end of the day, you are all winners in the race for entrenching efficiency, reliability, and credible elections”, Inuwa assured.
Earlier, the Executive Director of Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, Olasupo Abideen in his welcome address noted that at the end of the pitch, the team with the most promising solution will be awarded 2 million naira to execute their proposed solution.
The cash prizes, Abideen said will be disbursed at every project milestone in order to ensure the funds are utilized effectively.
“As for the first and second runners-up, we have support from NITDA to mentor, incubate and fund their respective solutions. To make the game a win-win for all, we are looking at merging the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th positions with the first three if that will bring a stellar result.
“We are doing this in the sole interest of the country; therefore, everyone is a winner as long as we achieve our common goal”, he added.
Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, has dismissed reports that bank accounts not linked to a Tax Identification Number (TIN) will be frozen or automatically debited from January 1, 2026.
Taiwo Oyedele
Oyedele described the claims as false and misleading, warning Nigerians against panic over misinformation surrounding recent tax and financial reforms.
In a post on his X handle Tuesday morning, he wrote: “Don’t let anyone manipulate you. Your bank account is safe. Misinformation makes you panic and fear a reform that is designed to help you.
“When they tell you that your account will be frozen or automatically debited from January 2026, ask them for the evidence in the new law. Be wise.”
He stressed that no provision in the new tax laws authorises the freezing of bank accounts, adding that the rumours are part of widespread misrepresentation of the reforms.
The committee chairman reiterated that the reforms are intended to simplify Nigeria’s tax system and ease the burden on ordinary citizens, not to impose punitive measures on bank customers.
US tech giant, Amazon has disclosed that it blocked more than 1,800 North Koreans from applying for jobs, amid growing concerns that Pyongyang is deploying large numbers of IT workers overseas to earn and launder funds.
Amazon
In a LinkedIn post, Amazon’s Chief Security Officer, Stephen Schmidt, said North Korean nationals have been attempting to secure remote IT roles with companies around the world, particularly in the United States.
He noted that the company recorded nearly a one-third increase in such applications over the past year.
According to Schmidt, many of the applicants operate through so-called “laptop farms” — computers physically located in the US but remotely controlled from abroad.
He warned that the issue is not unique to Amazon and is likely occurring at scale across the tech industry.
He added that common red flags include incorrectly formatted phone numbers and questionable academic credentials.
The issue has previously drawn the attention of US authorities. In July, a woman in Arizona was sentenced to more than eight years in prison for running a laptop farm that helped North Korean IT workers obtain remote jobs at more than 300 US companies.
Officials said the scheme generated over $17 million in revenue for both the woman and North Korea.
Last year, South Korea’s intelligence agency also warned that North Korean operatives were using LinkedIn to pose as recruiters, approaching South Koreans working at defence companies in an attempt to steal sensitive technological information.
“North Korea is actively training cyber personnel and infiltrating key locations worldwide,” Hong Min, an analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, told AFP.
He added that, given Amazon’s business model, the motivation behind such operations is largely economic, with a high likelihood of attempts to steal financial assets.
North Korea’s cyber warfare programme dates back to at least the mid-1990s and has since expanded into a cyber unit of about 6,000 personnel known as Bureau 121, according to a 2020 US military report.
In November, Washington announced sanctions against eight individuals accused of being state-sponsored hackers, alleging their illicit activities were carried out to fund North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme.
The US Treasury has also accused North Korea-linked cybercriminals of stealing more than $3 billion over the past three years, primarily through cryptocurrency-related crimes.
Treepz, Africa’s leading mobility and travel technology company, has officially launched direct flight bookings on its platform, enabling customers to search, compare and book flights to more than 210 destinations worldwide, including the United Kingdom, Canada and the United Arab Emirates.
The development marks a major milestone in Treepz’s transition from a mobility provider into a fully integrated travel platform. With the new service, travelers can now complete the entire booking process — from flight search to payment — directly on the Treepz website without relying on multiple agents or third-party platforms.
Speaking on the launch, Mr. Onyeka Akumah, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Treepz, described the initiative as a defining moment for the company and for travel access across Africa.
He said launching flight bookings to serve customers with flights to over 200 destinations was a major achievement, noting that travelers could now search for flights, enter their details, make payments with their cards, and complete bookings instantly on the platform without delays or switching between multiple websites.
The launch comes at a critical time for the African travel market. December is widely regarded as the busiest travel season on the continent, driven by holiday vacations, family reunions, weddings, festivals and end-of-year celebrations.
Millions of Africans travel locally and internationally during this period, often facing challenges with slow booking systems, unclear pricing and fragmented services.
Treepz’s new flight booking system is designed to address these challenges by offering a faster, more intuitive and reliable experience.
Customers can now search and book flight tickets directly on the Treepz website, compare prices and travel options in real time, make payments using any card option, and complete bookings faster without switching platforms.
Treepz has outlined ambitious plans for 2026, including unlocking access to over six million hotels globally, which will allow travelers to book flights and accommodation together in one seamless flow.
The company also plans to expand its car rental services into Europe and South America, further strengthening its position as a one-stop travel ecosystem.
According to Akumah, these developments will significantly reduce planning time for both leisure and corporate travelers, while giving customers more control and convenience.
Treepz has already facilitated more than six million movements across multiple cities and countries, ranging from daily commutes and corporate transportation to group travel and event logistics. With active operations across Africa and recent expansion into Canada, the company continues to grow its international footprint.
The addition of flight bookings strengthens Treepz’s ability to serve global travelers while maintaining its reputation for reliability and customer-focused service.
By integrating flights, accommodation, ground transportation and experiences into one platform, Treepz is positioning itself as more than a mobility provider.
The company is evolving into a comprehensive travel solution designed for modern travelers who value speed, clarity and convenience.
Industry analysts say the move could redefine travel access across Africa, particularly during peak seasons when demand for efficient booking systems is highest.
With this launch, Treepz has taken a bold step toward building a unified, tech-driven travel ecosystem that connects Africa to the world.
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