Renowned US TEDx Speaker and Founder of Boatly, Kate Hancock, will be the keynote speaker at the Innovation Makers Challenge (IMC) 2023 Conference, as announced by the Telecommunication and Technology Sustainability Working Group (TTSWG) during the official launch of the IMC held recently in Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria.

IMC is an initiative of TTSWG that aims to promote sustainable innovations in the technology and telecommunications sectors of Nigeria by showcasing and rewarding emerging talents in these fields and providing a platform to scale up their solutions.

The IMC Conference will be hosted at the Eko Convention Center on Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. It will facilitate transformative discussions about the future of technology and telecommunications in Africa while highlighting emerging innovations in Nigeria. The event will feature a diverse lineup of industry leaders, including Oluwole Asalu, CEO and Founder of Quomodo Systems Africa; Lanre Bamisebi, Executive Director of Access Corporation; Chuks Ekwueme, Chairman of UNICCON Group, and more.

Prior to the conference, there will be an Innovators Challenge where individuals aged 18 to 35 from across Nigeria can participate by pitching their sustainable innovations. Successful finalists will present their ideas to a panel of judges who will select the winners at the Grand Finale Conference and Exhibition on November 9, 2023. The top three winners will receive cash prizes of ₦2,000,000, ₦1,000,000, and ₦500,000, respectively.

In addition to the cash prizes, participants have the opportunity to benefit from world-class expert training and mentorship through the Innovation Bootcamp, pitch to investors, network with established tech professionals, and showcase their innovations for free at the IMC Conference 2023.

Chris Uwaje, Mobile Software Solutions CEO and Board Member of the Telecommunication and Technology Sustainability Working Group (TTSWG), emphasized the significance of the IMC, stating, “The world is moving so fast, but Nigeria is being left behind. Discovering talent is a crucial strategic tool for competing as a great nation. We cannot reap the benefits unless we overcome the challenges within the realm of technology. Through the IMC, TTSWG aims to identify disruptive ideas, discover and nurture emerging talents that can disrupt the existing system and lead the country into the future.”

Bankole Oloruntoba, Chief Executive Officer of NCIC, also praised the IMC and stressed the importance of establishing a dedicated funding pool to support emerging innovative ideas. “We are supporting these young individuals from their current stage to gain global recognition and address tangible and functional challenges related to sustainability and other environmental issues facing the telecom sector,” he added.

Interested and qualified parties can submit their applications through the official website: www.ttswg-imc.com/apply. The application window remains open until October 16, 2023. The Innovation Makers Challenge 2023 is proudly sponsored by IHS Towers and supported by various partners.

The IMC launch event was attended by notable figures including John Isiekwene, Sustainability Manager at IHS Towers; Chris Uwaje, CEO of Mobile Software Solutions and Board Member of TTSWG; Adedoyin Segun-Noibi, General Manager of Quomodo Systems Africa; Bankole Oloruntoba, CEO of Nigeria Climate Innovation Center (NCIC); Faderera Segun, Program and Partnership Manager at Arnergy Solar; Precious Francis, Communications and Knowledge Officer at NCIC; and Gbolahan Awonuga, Executive Secretary of ALTON.

In today’s fast-paced world, staying ahead of the technological curve is vital for the progress of any nation. In Nigeria, a nation brimming with potential, the need to nurture emerging talents in the fields of technology and telecommunications is more pressing than ever. Recognizing this imperative, the Telecommunication and Technology Sustainability Working Group (TTSWG) has embarked on a mission to promote sustainable innovations in these sectors through the Innovation Makers Challenge (IMC) 2023.

One of the most eagerly anticipated events of the IMC 2023 is the keynote address by Kate Hancock, a distinguished TEDx speaker and the Founder of Boatly, a prominent US-based company. This momentous announcement was made during the official launch of the IMC in Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria. Kate Hancock’s presence at the IMC promises to inspire and enlighten participants and attendees with her profound insights into innovation and sustainability.

The IMC, an initiative championed by TTSWG, aims to serve as a catalyst for sustainable innovations in Nigeria’s technology and telecommunications sectors. Its core mission is to provide a platform where emerging talents can showcase their groundbreaking solutions, gain recognition, and receive the support required to scale up their innovations. In doing so, the IMC aspires to contribute significantly to the growth and development of Nigeria’s technology ecosystem.

The IMC Conference, scheduled to take place at the prestigious Eko Convention Center on Victoria Island, Lagos, promises to be a congregation of great minds and innovators. It will serve as a forum for transformative discussions about the future of technology and telecommunications in Africa, all while shining a spotlight on the emerging innovations originating from Nigeria.

The conference lineup boasts an impressive array of industry leaders, including Oluwole Asalu, the CEO and Founder of Quomodo Systems Africa, who has been pivotal in driving technological advancements in the region. Also gracing the event is Lanre Bamisebi, the Executive Director of Access Corporation, known for his pioneering work in the telecommunications sector. Chuks Ekwueme, the Chairman of UNICCON Group, adds further depth to the lineup with his extensive knowledge and experience in the industry.

Before the conference takes flight, an Innovators Challenge beckons, inviting individuals aged 18 to 35 from every corner of Nigeria to participate. This challenge offers aspiring innovators the opportunity to pitch their sustainable solutions, vying for the chance to present their ideas to a distinguished panel of judges during the Grand Finale Conference and Exhibition set for November 9, 2023. The stakes are high, with cash prizes of ₦2,000,000, ₦1,000,000, and ₦500,000 awaiting the top three winners, respectively.

However, the rewards extend far beyond monetary gains. Participants in the Innovators Challenge have the unique opportunity to receive world-class expert training and mentorship through the Innovation Bootcamp, setting them on a path towards success. Additionally, they will have the chance to pitch their ideas to potential investors, network with established professionals in the tech industry, and showcase their innovations to a diverse audience at the IMC Conference 2023.

Chris Uwaje, the CEO of Mobile Software Solutions and a Board Member of TTSWG, emphasizes the significance of the IMC in the context of Nigeria’s technological development. He notes, “The world is moving so fast, but Nigeria is being left behind. Discovering talent is a crucial strategic tool for competing as a great nation. We cannot reap the benefits unless we overcome the challenges within the realm of technology. Through the IMC, TTSWG aims to identify disruptive ideas, discover and nurture emerging talents that can disrupt the existing system and lead the country into the future.”

Bankole Oloruntoba, the Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Climate Innovation Center (NCIC), echoes this sentiment and underscores the importance of providing dedicated funding to support emerging innovative ideas. “We are supporting these young individuals from their current stage to gain global recognition and address tangible and functional challenges related to sustainability and other environmental issues facing the telecom sector,” he adds.

For those eager to be part of this transformative journey, the application window for the IMC 2023 remains open until October 16, 2023. Interested and qualified individuals can submit their applications through the official website: www.ttswg-imc.com/apply. This event is made possible through the generous sponsorship of IHS Towers and the support of various partners who share the vision of fostering innovation and sustainability in Nigeria.

The IMC launch event in Ikoyi, Lagos, witnessed the presence of notable figures from the technology and telecommunications industry. These individuals, including John Isiekwene, Sustainability Manager at IHS Towers; Adedoyin Segun-Noibi, General Manager of Quomodo Systems Africa; Faderera Segun, Program and Partnership Manager at Arnergy Solar; Precious Francis, Communications and Knowledge Officer at NCIC; and Gbolahan Awonuga, Executive Secretary of ALTON, collectively represent the commitment and enthusiasm of the industry to support emerging innovators in Nigeria.

The Innovation Makers Challenge (IMC) 2023 is poised to empower emerging innovators, driving sustainable solutions in Nigeria’s technology and telecommunications sectors. With Kate Hancock’s keynote address, a diverse lineup of industry leaders, and a host of opportunities for young talents, the IMC is set to propel Nigeria into a future where innovation and sustainability reign supreme. As Nigeria races to catch up with the rapid advancements in technology worldwide, the IMC serves as a beacon of hope and opportunity for those who dare to dream and innovate.