Nicademia Team Emerges Winner In The NCC’s USPF Challenge Competition

The 2017 Changemaker Challenge organised by the universal Service Provision Fund, a sub-department of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has come to an end and the Nicademia team emerged the champion of the tussle.

The contest had a total of 226 applicants from the six geopolitical zones in the country and the selection process was carried out independently by a couple of judges and it wasn’t easy coming up with a list of the best among a large selection of talented individuals. The Nicademia team pitched a whole new form of innovation to the admiration of the judges- an online distribution platform for African-inspired animations and cartoons that seek to promote African culture, traditions, and values.

The grand prize includes N1,000,000 ($3,300) and an acceptance into a programme under the supervision of the NCC through the USPF. The second place will receive N750,000 ($2,500), while the third place, N500,000($1,600). This also includes participation in the programme which will be supervised by the NCC. Team Jiggle came second, while team Kano Magenta occupied the third place respectively.

The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC was represented by Kelechi Nwankwo, Head of Strategy and Corporate Performance Monitoring, USPF. While speaking at the event, he reiterated the commitment of the NCC to the development of ICT in Nigeria. Not only will the winners gain public recognition and media attention, the ideas they put on display will enhance technology and boost the country’s economy. Ideas should be infinite because problems are unending and the only way to promote such talents is to present opportunities like this, where young talents can display their innovations. In fact, Mr. Nwankwo stated that improving technology is ‘the principle behind the creation of the Universal Service Provision Fund’.

Nwakwo acknowledged the success of the competition and pledged that the commission will continue to work to promote innovation processes in the ICT to empower the Nigerian youths and boost the technology sector. We cannot continue to ignore the fact that the future of the country lies in technology. This fact has been ignored for too long. The earlier this reality is accepted, the brighter the future will be.