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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.
Meta, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy (FMCIDE), has launched the Llama Impact Accelerator Program to foster AI-driven solutions across critical sectors in Nigeria.
The eight-month program will support early-stage startups developing AI innovations using Meta’s open-source Llama models. Target sectors include Agriculture, Security & Safety, Healthcare, and a wildcard category for other high-impact applications.
Speaking at the launch, Sade Dada, Head of Public Policy, Anglophone West Africa at Meta, emphasized the initiative’s role in advancing Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. “We are thrilled to partner with FMCIDE in supporting local AI talent. Open-source AI should be accessible and relevant to national challenges,” she said.
The program will begin with a six-week incubation period, offering technical training and mentorship from industry experts, followed by six months of extended support, including access to technical resources.
Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, hailed the initiative as a “major step forward” in Nigeria’s AI development strategy. “AI will be a key driver of national growth, and this program equips innovators with the tools to tackle pressing issues,” Tijani stated.
The Llama Impact Accelerator aligns with Meta’s broader mission to democratize responsible AI access while fostering innovation in emerging markets.
In collaboration with academic and government stakeholders, the initiative is expected to accelerate Nigeria’s AI industry and drive impactful change.
Applications for the program remain open until June 27, 2025. More details can be found at llamaimpactssa.splashthat.com.
In an era where climate change, youth unemployment, and food insecurity loom large over the continent, a powerful new force is rising — young African innovators building a green future from the ground up.
At the just-concluded Africa PachiPanda Challenge 2024, organised by MTN and WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), Nigerian entrepreneur, Olabisi Rafatu Emmanuel, emerged as one of the continent’s top eco-champions, spotlighting the potential of purpose-driven innovation to rewrite Nigeria’s climate and development story.
While Moses Afopezi of Cameroon took home the top prize with AgricFresh, a smart solution combating post-harvest loss, Olabisi’s reusable menstrual products solutions as a waste transformation model earned her national applause and a seat at Africa’s sustainability table, emerging as the second-place winner.
Speaking during the announcement, MTN’s leadership underscored that this challenge goes far beyond accolades. “Together, we have the power to shape a greener, more sustainable Africa — one bold idea at a time,” Nompilo Morafo, Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, MTN, said.
The triumph comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with the environmental menace of climate change in major urban hubs like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, even as the Nigerian government is clamouring for smart innovations to address climate change issues such as climate funding, carbon trading and just energy transition.
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) recently reiterated calls for tech-based waste management solutions – making Olabisi’s innovation timely and impactful.
MTN says this is just the beginning. With plans to expand the PachiPanda Challenge to more countries and deepen support for eco-entrepreneurs, the telecoms giant is reaffirming its commitment to socio-economic development through green innovation.
As Nigeria sets its sights on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, the PachiPanda story is a timely reminder that the answers may lie not in government halls – but in the dreams and drive of Nigeria’s young changemakers.
In what could be a turning point for Nigeria’s global tech ambitions, Zinox Technologies, a strategic integrated tech solution company and pride of Nigeria ICT ecosystem has been officially invited to represent Nigeria at VivaTech Paris 2025, one of the world’s largest technology and innovation events.
The invitation, extended in partnership with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, is seen as a strategic endorsement of Zinox’s over two decades track record of delivering digital infrastructure, innovation, and enterprise solutions across the country for government, corporates and homes including some African countries.
The four-day event, taking place from June 11–14, 2025, is a major fixture in the global tech calendar, drawing startups, corporates, investors, and tech leaders from across the world. Zinox is expected to engage with international players at its assigned booth while showcasing flagship projects and solutions that reflect Nigeria’s evolving digital capacity.
“Zinox represents the kind of indigenous innovation the world needs to see more of — practical, scalable, and deeply rooted in local challenges,” said one of the international event leads, who confirmed their excitement about Zinox’s participation. “It’s a unique opportunity to place African tech at the centre of global conversations.”
From Local Execution to Global Attention
Zinox’s reputation has largely been built on its ability to execute high-impact, often mission-critical tech projects for both public and private sector players. The company is known for powering most government and corporate sector tech infrastructure rolling out the most integrated ICT projects and partnering global manufacturers with it’s iPower renewable energy solutions. Zinox is credited with transitioning Nigeria from analogue to digital democracy, amongst many other critical projects for companies like Chevron, Shell, FIRS, CBN, NPC, and educational institutions just to mention a few.
Its inclusion at VivaTech reflects growing international curiosity about Nigeria’s digital innovation and infrastructure story, particularly from brands that have built success indigenously.
Konga, the e-Commerce Engine, Joins the Spotlight
In an interesting strategic angle, Zinox will also showcase Konga, the composite e-commerce group it acquired in 2018. The move united two major tech forces under one umbrella and enabled a fusion of logistics, fintech, and commerce with Zinox’s core technology expertise.
Since the acquisition, Konga has benefited from infrastructural reinforcements, platform upgrades and supply chain optimization, becoming Nigeria’s most efficient digital marketplace.
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