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The Nigerian Communications Commission NCC has called for increased investment in locally developed technologies to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign software and strengthen the country’s digital sovereignty.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the fourth NCC Hackathon Live Show in Abuja, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, represented by Executive Commissioner of Stakeholder Management Rimini Makama, stressed the need for homegrown innovation.

“Through this hackathon, we are transforming Nigeria from a passive importer of foreign software into a creator of locally engineered assistive technology that serves the ability of all its citizens,” Maida said.

He noted that solutions such as AI-powered speech-to-text tools, accessible USSD solutions, and inclusive mobile applications are essential building blocks for economic self-reliance.

“By investing in a homegrown, universally accessible codebase, we guarantee Nigeria’s digital economy remains operational, secure, affordable, and responsive to Nigeria’s realities, immune to external shocks,” Maida said.

Maida called on venture capitalists, state governments, and telecommunications firms to support the innovators beyond the prototype stage.

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“We ask you not to view these innovators as contestants, but as future founders, future partners, and future vendors,” he said. “We encourage you to step forward, invest in these accessible prototypes, and help us remove digital exclusion.”

According to World Bank estimates cited by Maida, about 25 million Nigerians experience at least one form of disability, with 3.6 million facing severe operational difficulties. Without inclusive digital tools, these individuals risk exclusion from healthcare, education, and financial services.

Industry stakeholders backed the call. Senior Manager of Strategy and Innovation at MTN Nigeria, Chinyelu Chikwendu, offered company infrastructure to help startups scale.

“We are happy to support your growth. We are happy to support these beautiful ideas that you are all working on, and we are here to help you with the various infrastructures that we have,” Chikwendu said.

Similarly, Amadi Kenneth from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Consumer Protection and Financial Inclusion Department highlighted the opportunity to bring digitally marginalized groups into the formal banking system.

“We want to see that the excluded Nigerians are brought into the financial system,” Kenneth said.

The Director of Digital Economy at the NCC, Helen Obi, encouraged financial institutions to set up direct funding initiatives for young innovators.

“Youths need to be encouraged. Let’s begin to have a huge fund projected for this sector of the economy,” Obi said.

At the conclusion of the event, tech startup Sora won first place, taking home N3m, while ClearSignal placed second with N2m, and Ikor earned N1m in third place.

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Hibbatullah Shittu
The Traffic NG

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