Nigerian Communications Commission seeks solutions for communication barriers faced by persons with disabilities

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is actively seeking to dismantle communication barriers that hinder Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) from using telecommunication devices seamlessly. This effort was highlighted at the opening of the commission's fourth Hackathon, themed ‘Technology Without Barriers,’ held in Abuja.

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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.

Rimini Makama, the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholders Management, represented by Usman Malah, Director of Zonal Operations, emphasized the NCC's commitment to fostering innovation and indigenous technological development. The event brought together young innovators tasked with creating practical technological solutions, particularly for PwDs and other underserved communities.

Makama stated that while digital transformation offers immense benefits, barriers still prevent many persons with disabilities and underserved populations from accessing essential services like communication, education, healthcare, and employment. The NCC aims to create an enabling environment for developing affordable, practical, and locally relevant indigenous technologies to promote digital inclusion across Nigeria.

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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.

Hellen Obi, Director of the Digital Economy Department at NCC, explained that the hackathon seeks "homemade" solutions tailored to the daily needs of people with disabilities and those in rural areas who may be excluded from the digital economy. The NCC Hackathon Live Show is designed to support local technology development and build functional assistive solutions for universal access.

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This is in a bid to find solutions that are homemade, that are tailored to providing solutions for day-to-day living for our colleagues who are people with disabilities and also people who are, maybe, in the rural areas who have in one way been excluded from actually playing actively in the digital economy space.