The Telecommunication and Technology Sustainability Working Group (TTSWG) has confirmed that IHS, ALTON, Quomodo, and other prominent organizations have joined forces to commemorate the official launch of the Innovation Makers Challenge (IMC) 2023 during an inaugural press conference held in Lagos.

IMC is an initiative of TTSWG that aims to foster sustainable innovations in Nigeria’s technology and telecommunication sectors by showcasing and rewarding emerging talents in these fields as well as providing a launchpad to scale up their solutions.

The occasion saw the presence of John Isiekwene, Sustainability Manager at IHS Towers; Chris Uwaje, CEO of Mobile Software Solutions and Board Member of TTSWG; Adedoyin Segun-Noibi, General Manager of Quomodo Systems Africa; Bankole Oloruntoba, CEO of Nigeria Climate Innovation Center (NCIC); Faderera Segun, Program and Partnership Manager at Arnergy Solar; Precious Francis, Communications and Knowledge Officer at NCIC; and Gbolahan Awonuga, Executive Secretary of ALTON.

Young people aged 18 – 35 from all over Nigeria can take part in the challenge. Successful applicants who reach the final stage will get to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges that will select the winners at the Grand Finale Conference and Exhibition scheduled for November 9, 2023. The top three overall winners will be awarded a cash prize of ₦2,000,000, ₦1,000,000 and ₦500,000 respectively.

Besides the cash prizes, the participants stand a chance to also benefit from world-class expert training and mentorship through the Innovation Bootcamp, opportunities to pitch to investors, network with established tech professionals and exhibit their innovations for free at the IMC Conference 2023.

Expounding on the significance of the IMC, John Isiekwene, Sustainability Manager at IHS Towers, remarked, “Nigeria is truly a hub of innovation, and we have a wealth of untapped potential waiting to be unleashed. This platform offers us the chance to connect with and draw from the incredible minds of our young generation who are poised to revolutionise the future of sustainable technology.”

Chris Uwaje, Mobile Software Solutions and Board Member, Telecommunication and Technology Sustainability Working Group (TTSWG) added “The world is world is moving so fast but Nigeria is being left behind. Through the IMC, TTSWG aims to target disruptive ideas, discover and nurture the emerging talents that can disrupt the existing system and bail the country out in the future.”

The Chief Executive Officer of NCIC, Bankole Oloruntoba,  also lauded the IMC and emphasized the importance of establishing a dedicated funding pool to support emerging innovative ideas. “We are supporting these youngsters from their current stage to be more globally accepted and solve tangible and functional challenges regarding sustainability as well as other environmental issues confronting the telecom sector,” he added.

Interested and qualified parties can submit their applications through the official website: www.ttswg-imc.com/apply. Applications are open until October 16, 2023. The Innovation Makers Challenge 2023 is proudly sponsored by IHS Towers and supported by various partners.

Source: Press Release