Universal participation in the digital ecosystem is non-negotiable if Nigeria is to realize President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of a $1 trillion economy, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) declared on Thursday, August 27, 2026, in Abuja.
The regulatory agency made the statement during the grand finale of the 4th edition of the NCC Hackathon Live Show, held under the theme “Technology Without Barriers”.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of NCC Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholders Management, Rimini Makama, warned that true national expansion cannot occur while millions remain digitally disenfranchised.
“Nigeria today stands at a pivotal crossroad,” Maida stated in his delivered remarks. “As we work to build a resilient and diversified $1 trillion economy, we must recognize that true national progress is impossible if some of our citizens remain locked out.
For persons with disabilities (PWDs), barriers to accessing digital technologies and services mean exclusion not just from connectivity, but from education, employment, financial services, healthcare, and active participation in society.”
The Commission highlighted key systemic hurdles suppressing equitable technology adoption nationwide, including; Inaccessible Digital Infrastructure: Platforms and digital services built without inclusive designs or accessibility features for citizens with special needs.
Widespread deficits in basic digital literacy alongside prohibitive costs for specialized assistive devices and fhe heavy reliance on imported software that regularly excludes local usability requirements and language support.
To tackle these bottlenecks, the competition tasked young local innovators with developing indigenous assistive tools, shifting Nigeria from a consumer of foreign technology to a developer of homegrown digital solutions. Sora Solutions, founded by Abdulhaqq Somoye, claimed the top prize of N3 million for its winning innovation.
Hellen Obi, Director of the NCC’s Digital Economy Department, confirmed that key strategic partners, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, and MTN Nigeria have committed to supporting the rollout and commercial scaling of the hackathon’s top innovations.
