The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has introduced the 2024 Digital Nigeria Innovation Challenge, a groundbreaking competition that aims to address Nigeria’s infrastructure challenges through the power of technology and innovation. With N11 million in cash prizes up for grabs, participants are encouraged to design digital solutions that can enhance sustainable development across the nation.
Launched in September, the Digital Nigeria Innovation Challenge targets Nigerian innovators who can create digital maps showcasing critical infrastructure like hospitals, schools, roads, and utilities. These maps will offer valuable insights to support development in various Nigerian states, fostering community engagement and problem-solving.
The competition is open to Nigerian citizens aged 18 and above. Participants must form teams of 2 to 5 members, blending both technical and non-technical expertise to maximize creativity and innovation. Each team must represent a Nigerian state, which they should be familiar with, either through residency, work, or study.
How to Enter
Participants must provide a valid means of identification, such as a National ID, Voter’s Card, International Passport,or Driver’s License. Individual entries are not allowed; collaboration is key. Registration is currently open, and interested teams are invited to apply. This competition runs from September 11 to October 23, 2024, giving teams ample time to develop and refine their innovative solutions.
The challenge is structured in three phases: state, regional, and national levels. Teams from all 36 states and the FCT will compete, with 37 teams advancing to the regional stage. Six regional winners—one from each geopolitical zone—will then compete in the final round in Abuja. The winning team from each region will receive N1 million, while the grand prize winner will take home a N5 million cash prize.
This initiative is about more than just competition; it aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The goal is to leverage digital tools and technologies to address pressing infrastructure problems while fostering economic growth, job creation, and innovation.
Moreover, this competition will hone participants’ skills in data science, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and storytelling. By doing so, it will enhance digital literacy among Nigerian youths and professionals, preparing them for the country’s evolving tech landscape.
NITDA’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Hadiza Umar, emphasized the importance of the challenge, calling it an opportunity to empower Nigeria’s brightest minds to solve infrastructure challenges using technology. She added that this initiative will support NITDA’s mission to promote entrepreneurship and digital transformation, thereby building a more digitally capable Nigeria.
