Three different teams have emerged winners in the Fourth Edition of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Hackatjon Live Show for their solution driven concepts.
In the category of winners, Team SORA emerged as the overall winner, clinching the 3 million Naira grand prize, while Clear Signal and IKOR secured second and third places, receiving 2 million Naira and 1 million Naira respectively.
The competition was designed to develop innovative technology solutions for persons with disabilities and other underserved communities. Apart from the top three teams, other participating teams received consolation prizes and certificates of participation for their contributions to advancing digital inclusion and accessible technology development.
The winning teams were announced at the conclusion of the two-day event, which brought together young innovators from across the country to develop technology-driven solutions aimed at expanding digital participation and supporting inclusive economic growth.
The winning solution, SORA, is an inclusive job-matching and adaptive skills platform designed for verified persons with disabilities in Nigeria, helping to connect users with employment opportunities and skills development resources. Clear Signal, which placed second, enables blind, visually impaired, deaf, and hard-of-hearing electricity consumers to receive accessible power outage alerts through voice calls, text messages, and visual notifications. While the third- place IKOR came up with an AI-powered voice dictation and writing tool designed to overcome barriers associated with expensive hardware, poor internet connectivity, and physical typing.
Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, explained that the Commission remains committed to leveraging innovation to address digital exclusion and ensure that all Nigerians, particularly persons with disabilities and underserved communities, can participate meaningfully in the digital economy.
Speaking on behalf of the EVC, Rimini Makama, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management (ECSM), described young Nigerian innovators as a critical resource for the nation’s future growth, stating that, “Nigeria’s next major oil field is not buried under our soil or offshore in the Atlantic Ocean. It is here, in the ideas, ingenuity, brilliance and determination of the young Nigerians gathered in this room today.
Maida noted that barriers such as the cost of devices, inadequate digital skills, limited access to assistive technologies and poor accessibility features on some digital platforms continue to hinder digital participation. Emphasizing the importance of inclusive innovation, he stated that, “Technology should not create new barriers; at its best, technology should remove them.” He added that Hackathon serves as a strategic platform for developing practical solutions that address accessibility challenges and support the Commission’s vision of a digitally inclusive society.
In a goodwill message, Chinyelu Chikwendu, Senior Manager, Strategy and Innovation at MTN Nigeria, commended the NCC for what she described as “a regulator with a difference” that not only provides oversight for the industry but also actively supports the growth of the digital ecosystem. She particularly praised Hackathon’s focus on people with disabilities and reaffirmed MTN’s commitment to supporting innovation, startups and solutions that improve lives.