NCC seeks tech solutions to bridge digital divide for persons with disabilities

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is actively seeking innovative technological solutions to dismantle barriers that prevent persons with disabilities and other underserved populations from fully engaging in the digital economy. The call was made by Rimini Makama, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management at the NCC, during the opening of the fourth NCC Hackathon Live Show in Abuja.

The hackathon, themed "Technology Without Barriers," brings together young innovators to develop solutions in areas such as artificial intelligence, assistive technologies, voice-enabled communication, and sign-language recognition. Makama emphasized that the focus should be on creating simple, affordable, and scalable technologies that can genuinely improve the lives of millions of Nigerians, rather than just developing sophisticated products.

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Do not simply focus on developing impressive technologies. Focus on creating solutions that are simple to use, affordable to deploy, scalable across communities, and capable of improving the quality of life of millions of Nigerians.

Makama, represented by Usman Malah, Director of Zonal Operations at the NCC, highlighted that persons with disabilities continue to face significant obstacles in accessing essential services like communication, education, healthcare, financial services, employment, and government platforms. The NCC's initiative aims to foster homegrown solutions tailored to the specific realities of Nigerians, particularly those in rural areas or with limited resources.

The commission is particularly interested in technologies that can overcome challenges related to disability, language, literacy, income, and location. This includes exploring low-bandwidth and offline-first services that can function effectively in remote areas without requiring constant internet connectivity or high-end devices. The hackathon underscores the NCC's commitment to ensuring that technological advancements translate into broader economic participation and empower all members of society.

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The true measure of technological advancement lies not only in the sophistication of our innovations, but in the extent to which they improve lives, expand opportunities, and empower every member of society to participate meaningfully in the digital economy.