The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) under the supervision of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy in collaboration with the University of Ibadan on Thursday screened some selected youths in using technology to solve national challenges.
The acting Director General of NITDA, Dr. Saliu AbdulKareem who spoke at the screening exercise said talented Nigerians are challenged to come up with clearly defined ideas and prototypes on solutions around Agriculture Logistics and Security.
NITDA Hackathon is a national event in collaboration with academic institutions to drive digital innovation and entrepreneurship by challenging Nigeriaās teeming youths to ideate and develop solutions from inception through to the market.
The Hackathon is set to develop and grow a global network of IT experts, comprising Nigerian youths within the country and in the diaspora.
Abdlekareem said “NITDA is collaborating with three academic Institutions for the 3 edition of its Hackathon series. For the South West region, NITDA is collaborating University of Ibadan. I am delighted to see that we have been able to create a platform where our youths can leverage the academic research ecosystem to solve national challenges using technology in less than 72 hours
“Clearly for us at NITDA, we see the NITDA Hackathon 2022 as an event that will strengthen the technological entrepreneurship ecosystem by boosting the entrepreneurship spirit among our youths.
“As we all know that Nigeria has alot of graduates and teeming youths, unemployment is increasing on a daily basis. The idea is to challenge them with our local problems, use technology to solve the problems and create jobs, businesses for themselves and others.
“After the challenge, we have taken their details and records for our support as they will have some processes to pass through and help them to polish their ideas.
“We are coming through students to motivate them to think and support them to create opportunities for them and others.”
Prof. Peter Olapegba who declared the event opened on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of the university of Ibadan, represented the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, commended NITDA for their efforts on developing the country.
