The USPF Changemaker Challenge 2019 is a Hackathon event to encourage startups and investors to create applications and services to deepen ICT solutions in the country particularly in the unserved and under-served areas.

The competition held in the Southern (Lagos) and Northern (Kano) zones of Nigeria and was facilitated by Surez Global Resources Ltd as well as Everly United Associates Limited respectively. It brought together software developers, data scientist, student and other ICT experts to create fully working prototypes of their ICT solutions capable of deepening ICT penetration in the country.

This 4^th edition of the nationwide competition with the theme “A Break from the Norm – Advancing Humanity through Technology” had 5 Tech Solution Categorization namely; Artificial Intelligence, FinTech, Disaster & Emergency Management, Digital Transformation & Automation and Business Intelligence & Analytics.

The pitch presentations were judged based on the following criteria; Idea/Innovation, Presentation, Technology Stack, Market Viability, Scalability, Quality of the Team and Alignment with the USPF initiatives.

Prize money was won by the 10 teams that participated in the competition in the zones as follows; N1, 000, 000 (1st Prize), N750, 000 (2nd Prize), N500, 000 (3rd Prize) and a consolation prize of N150, 000 for the remaining teams. In addition, the top 3 winners will go for incubation and entrepreneurship training as well as have access to investors.

In his opening remarks, the Secretary of the Universal Service Provision Secretariat, Mr. Ayuba Shuaibu who was represented by the Head, Strategy & Corporate Performance Monitoring, Dr. Olubunmi Bamijoko stated that the objective of USPF Changemaker challenge is to provide a platform for ICT start-ups to create fully working prototypes of ICT solutions capable of deepening ICT penetration in Nigeria while creating employment for the young ICT entrepreneurs.  He expressed appreciation to the judges, mentors and participants at the event and emphasized that the prize money and consolation prizes are not only what would be won, but the incubation of the great ideas after the hackathon.

Team Food Prime won the 1st prize at the Lagos event and their ICT solution entails an electronic smart device solution that increases farmer’s yield by reducing losses and damages caused by pest using sensors, perimeter detectors, counter-sound etc. While, the Kano event 1^st Prize went to Team BC Scan for pitching a breast cancer detection device using a chip in brassieres.

All the teams were adjudged winners for their innovative ICT solutions and advised to remain focused and pursue their ideas. More information on www.uspfchangemaker2019.ng

Head, Strategy & Corporate Performance Monitoring, Dr. Olubunmi Bamijoko delivering the opening remarks for the Secretary USPF, Mr. Ayuba Shuaibu

Team Food Prime (middle), winners of the Lagos USPF Changemaker Challenge 2019 with staff of USPF, Judges and the Hackaton facilitator

Team BC Scan (middle), winners of the Kano USPF Changemaker Challenge 2019 with staff of USPF and the Judges

Following the USPF Management approval for Innovative ICT Solutions and Enterpreneuship Development, interested participants are hereby reminded that adverts for the 2019 event are already in the print media and the portal for event registration has been activated accordingly. Please visit the link below for more:

https://uspfchangemaker2019.ng/

The finals of the Universal Provision Fund (USPF) Changemaker Challenge 2017 was held at the Digital Bridge Institute, Oshodi, Lagos State on Saturday 28th October, 2017 following the emergence of 10 finalists who emerged from the initial 30 teams that contested the Semi Finals on Friday 27th October, 2017.

The USPF Changemaker Challenge is a nationwide competition opened to young aspiring innovators, software developers, techpreneurs and other ICT enthusiasts from the six (6) geographical zones of Nigeria. The major objective of the competition is to identify young talents offering modern ICT ideas and solutions that can be used to tackle a selection of identified problems based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as they apply to Nigeria and offer solutions accordingly. Consequently, the contestants are given a golden opportunity for various sponsorship deals and also mentorship by some of the finest ICT professionals the industry has to offer as this will guarantee the success of various identified smart ideas and innovations in ICT.

A total of thirty (30) teams, five (5) from each of the six (6) geopolitical zones of Nigeria, comprising two (2) to four (4) team members, showcased their applications and software which cuts across major sectors of the economy ranging from Agriculture, Health, Education, E-Government, E-Commerce, Cyber Security, Environment, amongst others, in the Semi Finals and Finals of the event in Lagos.

Out of the thirty (30) Semi Finalists that contested, ten (10) teams made it to the Finals after an extensive battle whereby the three (3) best teams emerged to claim various prizes plus acceptance into incubation programme.

The three winning teams are:

1st Position = NICADEMIA (A video platform that offers over 200 Animations in seven (7) Nigerian local dialects that help children learn more about Western/African Education, History, Culture, etc.)

2nd Position = JIGGLE (An innovative platform that provides students in Tertiary Institutions 3 square meals daily through the purchase of 3 available Jiggle plans which in turn generates meal credits.

3rd Position = KANO MAGENTA (A mobile/web application for ordering water from local vendors popularly known as "Garuwas", additionally the Garuwa application can help report leakages and also sanitize water)

Please visit www.uspfchangemaker.ng for more information.

Picture Gallery:

The USPF Changemaker Challenge 2017 is pleased to announce the prequalification of 5 (five) entries from each of the 6 (six) geopolitical regions for the National Finals of the competition. The submitted entries from each region were assessed based on the following criteria:

• Originality of the Idea (Concept and Audacity);
• Level of Innovation (Logic and Thought Process Demonstrated);
• Local Content (Applicability to the Local Market);
• Pitch Quality and Impact (Presentation and Communication of Concept);
• Documentation and Video (Quality of Submitted Material).

The prequalified teams for each region are as follows:

North West

North Central

North East

South West

South East

South South

Congratulations to the prequalified teams, who have already been contacted by the USPF Changemaker Challenge 2017 Team with invitations to the National Finals and instructions on next steps.

For the entries that did not prequalify from their respective regions, we would like to encourage them to refine and upgrade their solutions, as well as to continue to innovate. Truly innovative solutions will invariably attract opportunities for investment, mentorship, and eventual success.

All entrants who will be in Lagos or its environs on the 27^th and 28^th of October 2017, and are interested in attending the National Finals, are welcome to attend as spectators. Please note that the refund of transportation only applies to prequalified teams.

Thank you to all entrants for participating in the USPF Changemaker Challenge 2017, and we wish you all continued success for the future.

Look out for update and details of the solutions in this space.