KlassConnect, SmartClinic, and Elizade University have emerged winners of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) COVID-19 Virtual Hackathon Challenge which was held recently at the Conference Hall, NCC Head Office in Abuja.

The 3 winners were rewarded with a cash prize of N3 million each to proffer digital solutions on COVID-19.

A total of 298 submissions were received from start-ups. After the first and second level preliminary assessments, based on the pre-established selection criteria, 56 of the startups, qualified for the final stage of the Evaluation Processes.

Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, expressed his delight at having an event designed to reward hard work and innovation, in the Nigerian ICT industry, while also, appreciating the Honorable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, whose idea initiated the award ceremony.

“This challenge is not misplaced, given that it is in tandem, with the 8-pillars of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy 2020-2030, with the Honorable Minister, as the Pilot.

We considered the challenge to find a local content solution, to the pandemic as it follows our strategic designs, as contemplated in our 8-Point Agenda, which, incidentally, aligns with the 8-pillars of the NDEPS 2020”, Danbatta said.

Danbatta noted that the Hackathon is expected to throw up innovative and adaptable solutions that will address the present and future impacts of Pandemics and Epidemic diseases in Nigeria, focusing on five, (5), thematic areas, namely Health, Community, Productivity, Economy and Education.

“The Commission has, in the past two years, managed similar ICT-based innovations and research competitions among the tertiary institutions, in the country, with potentials to improving on our local content solutions in the industry”, Danbatta concluded.

NCC

Commenting on NCC COVID-19 Virtual Hackathon the Honorable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami noted: “Since the global pandemic began, the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy has strived to support the Federal Government with solutions, based on our areas of expertise and in line with our mission, to build a nation, where digital innovation and entrepreneurship, creates value and prosperity for all.”

Meet the 3 winners and their solutions:

Klass Connect

This edtech startup provides educational institutions, with a web portal that enables students to work remotely, by registering for courses, receiving lectures, delivering assignments, creating and executing tasks. Klass Connect benefits institutions through cost savings plans, greater coverage, and information, centralised E-Library system, and tolerance to the pandemic. Cyberfleet built KlasConnect as an all-in-one revolutionary learning management platform for educational institutions.

SmartClinic

This e-health startup is involved in providing and implementing the latest trends in health technology. With its mobile app and web solution, a patient-based mobile health app is linked with a hospital-based information management system. SmartClinic offers patients the following: viewing hospital availability, scheduling appointments, getting notified of lab and x-ray results, and remote consultation.

Primed E-Health developed SmartClinic.

Elizade University Team

Elizade University Team developed what they called ‘Automated Temperature Scanner with Contact Tracing Capability’. The team believes that in order to contain and control the spread of COVID -19 pandemic and other temperature-related infections such as Ebola and Lasa fever; Contact tracing is vital.

Thus, the proposed device is aimed at assisting in automatic temperature screening and contact tracing of persons with a body temperature above the normal for human beings.

Musa Suleiman
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