The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has strengthened its drive for digital inclusion by awarding N6 million to three startups developing innovative solutions to improve digital accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
The startups received the grants at the grand finale of the fourth edition of the NCC Hackathon Live Show in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, NCC Executive Vice-Chairman, Dr Aminu Maida, said technology and innovation would be crucial to Nigeria’s economic growth, stressing that the country’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy could not be achieved if any group remained excluded from the digital space.
Maida, who was represented by the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama, said Nigeria was at a critical stage in its development and needed to ensure that technological progress benefited all citizens.
He said the hackathon provided a platform for innovators to create practical solutions to some of the challenges faced by people with disabilities in accessing digital services.
According to Maida, World Bank estimates indicate that about 25 million Nigerians live with at least one form of disability. He noted that difficulties in accessing technology could limit opportunities in education, employment, healthcare and financial services.
The NCC chief said the initiative was designed to encourage local entrepreneurs to develop solutions capable of removing digital barriers and expanding opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Also speaking, Chinyelu Chikwendu, Senior Manager, Strategy and Innovation at MTN Nigeria, praised the NCC for promoting innovation beyond its regulatory responsibilities.
She described the hackathon’s focus on persons with disabilities as timely and reaffirmed MTN’s readiness to support startups developing technologies for a more inclusive digital environment.
The Director of the Digital Economy Department at the NCC, Hellen Obi, also commended the initiative and disclosed plans to engage relevant organisations to support the successful contestants.
Obi said the commission would work with the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology and MTN Nigeria to explore opportunities for developing and scaling the startups’ solutions.
She said the partnerships would help the young innovators turn their ideas into sustainable ventures capable of making a wider impact.
At the end of the competition, Sora emerged as the winner and received N3 million, while Clear Signal came second with N2 million. Ikor finished third and received N1 million.
READ ALSO: NCC Launches General Authorisation Framework to Drive Innovation
Sora developed an inclusive job-matching and adaptive skills platform for verified persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
The platform is designed to link qualified candidates with government institutions and employers committed to inclusive recruitment. It also offers learning opportunities tailored to different forms of disability.
Sora founder, Abdulhaqq Motolani Somoye, said the concept was partly inspired by the Federal Government’s policy requiring government organisations to reserve at least five per cent of their workforce for persons with disabilities.
He explained that many mainstream recruitment platforms lacked adequate accessibility features, prompting his team to develop a service specifically designed for people with disabilities.
Somoye added that the startup had begun discussions with the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities to establish a verification partnership, initially in Abuja and eventually across the country.
