The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called for innovative and homegrown technological solutions to address communication barriers affecting Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and other underserved communities across the country.
The Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, NCC, Rimini Makama, made the call at the opening of the fourth edition of the Commission’s two-day Hackathon in Abuja.
The hackathon, themed “Technology Without Barriers,” brings together young innovators to develop practical technology-driven solutions capable of improving the lives of persons with disabilities and expanding their participation in the digital economy.
Makama, who was represented by the Director, Zonal Operations, NCC, Usman Malah, said the initiative demonstrated the Commission’s commitment to fostering innovation, promoting indigenous technological development and ensuring that Nigeria’s digital transformation remained inclusive and accessible.
She said: “Today, we celebrate the ingenuity, creativity and determination of young innovators who have come together to develop practical technology solutions that address real societal challenges, particularly those affecting persons with disabilities (PwDs) and other underserved communities.”
According to her, although digital technologies are transforming lives, reshaping economies and creating new opportunities, millions of Nigerians still face barriers to accessing communication services and other essential digital platforms.
“For many persons with disabilities and other underserved populations, barriers still exist in accessing communication services, education, healthcare, financial services, employment opportunities, and government platforms.
“These challenges call for innovative solutions that are affordable, practical and responsive to the realities of our local environment,” she said.
Makama said the NCC remained committed to creating an enabling environment for the development of indigenous technologies that could address these challenges while advancing digital inclusion across the country.
Also speaking, the Director, Digital Economy Department, NCC, Hellen Obi, said the hackathon was designed to produce locally developed solutions tailored to the everyday needs of persons with disabilities and people living in underserved and rural communities.
She said the initiative was aimed at ensuring that people who had previously been excluded from meaningful participation in the digital economy could become active beneficiaries.
Obi said the fourth edition of the NCC Hackathon would provide an important platform for supporting local technology development and building functional assistive technologies capable of promoting universal digital access.
“Our core objectives include promoting inclusive digital services, encouraging homegrown entrepreneurship and bridging the existing digital divide. Also, to strengthen the local digital innovation ecosystem by empowering youth cohorts with structured venture paths,” she said.
She added that the hackathon would focus on developing solutions around emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence-powered speech-to-text systems and real-time sign-language translation, among other innovations.
Obi expressed optimism that the initiative would produce practical solutions capable of improving communication and access to digital services for persons with disabilities while strengthening Nigeria’s indigenous technology ecosystem.
The NCC said the initiative underscored the importance of ensuring that technological advancement does not leave behind vulnerable and underserved groups, but instead creates opportunities for all Nigerians to participate meaningfully in the digital economy.
