The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), has commenced its Technology Innovation Development Programme (TIDP), aimed at empowering and supporting young innovators in Nigeria.
The initiative received an overwhelming response, with applications from 47 teams showcasing their ideas and solutions to address societal challenges.
During the first day of the bootcamp, which held in Lagos, industry leaders and mentors from the ICT sector gathered to interact with the four selected teams, to ensure the transformation of their ideas into tangible products.
Speaking at the forum, the President of NCS, Professor Adesina Sodiya, stressed the importance of building a strong foundation for innovators and guiding them towards creating finished products.
To facilitate innovation, each team member will receive brand-new laptops, and financial support to keep them motivated and focused.
The TIDP program, initiated three years ago, aims to foster innovation and development in Nigeria. It seeks to provide resources and expertise to young individuals with brilliant ideas but limited means to translate them into world-class solutions.
According to Sodiya, the program aims to build a community of young innovators who can become successful entrepreneurs or find employment.
“The upcoming second bootcamp for the technology team is already in the planning phase, following the success of the first phase last year. The products developed by the first batch of participants will be showcased in July after a dedicated period of three to four months for project completion.
The selection process for the program, involved assessing five major criteria, including the commercial viability of the product and its potential impact on society. The aim is to develop implementable solutions within a specified timeframe, while also ensuring uniqueness and market appeal,” Sodiya said.
He commended the Chairman, Zinox Technologies, Leo Stan Ekeh, for his tremendous support for the program since inception.
Deputy President of NCS, Dr. Mohammad Sirajo Aliyu, urged the teams to seize the opportunity offered by the program, to learn and explore various aspects of their projects.
Responding to questions on sponsorship and the support for the selected teams, Aliyu said: “NCS’ sponsorship approach involves a thorough assessment of the needs and requirements of the participants.
“Firstly, we provide them with laptops to support their work. Additionally, we allocate resources based on the specific development stage of their product. At the end of each month, when they present their progress, we collect a comprehensive report and provide them with a token for their upkeep.
“Our approach focuses on addressing their individual needs rather than simply providing pocket money. Moreover, during the product launch, we explore various options such as partnering with external entities, selling the product, or offering a share of the product to interested parties.”
While addressing the select innovators, CEO at VTpass.com Lanre Ogunya, one of the mentors, urged them to acquire business skills as a game changer, and not just focusing on writing codes.
