Innovators to win N2.2m in creativity challenge

The Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) is offering prizes worth N2.2 million in the 2017 edition of its innovation changemaker challenge.

A statement by the management of the fund said the competition is open to innovators, software developers, UX designers, students, and other ICT enthusiasts across Nigeria.

“The Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) is challenging Nigerian youth to engage their ingenuity to solve relevant problems and bring about change through creativity and innovation,” the statement read.

“The aim is to tackle a selection of identified problems based on the sustainable development goals (SDG) as they apply to Nigeria and offer working solutions to them.”

The areas to be explored in the competition are:

• Agriculture and Creation of Mass Employment: In the production, storage or distribution of food
• Environment: Oil & Gas, Flood, Erosion/Climate ChangeNational e-data on Poverty, Disease, Security
• National e-data on Poverty, Disease, SecurityHealth/Lifestyle: Medical Doctors Information Exchange Tool; Health Insurance etc
• Health/Lifestyle: Medical Doctors Information Exchange Tool; Health Insurance etcEpidemic Mobility Tracking Solutions: e.g. Ebola, Lassa fever
• Epidemic Mobility Tracking Solutions: e.g. Ebola, Lassa feverDisease Destroyer Games: Educational games on disease eradication e.g. Malaria, Polio, and HIV
• Disease Destroyer Games: Educational games on disease eradication e.g. Malaria, Polio, and HIVEducation: Virtual Education, E-Library & E-Learning Systems
• Education: Virtual Education, E-Library & E-Learning SystemsIntelligent Technologies for Scientists, Science Teachers, Engineers, etc
• Intelligent Technologies for Scientists, Science Teachers, Engineers, etcGirls4Tech: Interactive solutions aimed at getting young girls interested technology and innovation
• Girls4Tech: Interactive solutions aimed at getting young girls interested technology and innovationFraud whistle-Blowers: Enabling or assistive technology
• Fraud whistle-Blowers: Enabling or assistive technologyInformation Technology: Communications Quality of Service.
• Information Technology: Communications Quality of Service.National Security: Cybercrime and Cyber security Solutions, etc.
• National Security: Cybercrime and Cyber security Solutions, etc.E-Government: Government Automation Processes.
• E-Government: Government Automation Processes.E-Commerce: e-Transactions, Payment Systems, etc.
• E-Commerce: e-Transactions, Payment Systems, etc.

The organisers said the entry is open to teams – minimum of two and maximum of four members.

“Teams with female members will have definite added advantage as USPF seeks to encourage more gender diversity in technology innovation,” the statement read.

“Thirty teams will be shortlisted (consisting of the top five entries from each geopolitical zone). They will be invited for the national finals.”

Registration for the challenge opened on July 4 and would close on August 14. The finals will hold on October 28 and October 29.

Interested applicants can register here