YBTC News-The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) through its subsidiary, the Office for ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIIE) is calling for application into the 2020 FutureHack challenge for the 4th and 5th editions which is scheduled to hold in two regions of Nigeria, the South-south and North-eastern region respectively.

The FutureHack challenge is a national hackhaton challenge organized by NITDA through the office for ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIIE), and is designed in collaboration with ICT hubs, MDAs, industry and academia to provide a platform for young Innovators and Intellects, Entrepreneurs and Creative individuals to contribute actively by generating ideas that will drive digital economy in Nigeria while solving indigenous problem using ICT.

The objective of the FutureHack, is to develop and grow a global network of ICT expertise, comprising of Nigerian youths within the country and in diaspora. The national hackathon challenge is targeted at inculcating entrepreneurship values in the academia and creating a platform where industry and public institutions will leverage on the academic research ecosystem to solve challenges.

The futureHack 2020 vision is focused at finding solutions towards building a digital Nigeria.

The two editions of the challenge will address “Cyber security” and “Digital inclusion” as an enabler for digital economy,respectively under the theme Innovative technology for addressing local challenges in cyber security and digital inclusion in Nigeria”.

The 4th edition of the hackhaton challenge which centers on “Cybersecurity” will discuss the theme, Opportunities and Challenges in Combating Cybercrimes . it is scheduled to hold on the 2nd- 3rd March, 2020 at the Centre for Information and Telecommunication Engineering, University of PortHarcourt (Uniport), PortHarcourt, Rivers State, while the 5th edition which centers on “Digital Inclusion” , will take the theme -Digital Inclusion, Literacy and Responsibility Towards a Better Life. It is slated for the 9th – 10th of March 2020 at the PTDF Auditorium, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, Bauchi State.

In the two editions of the hackathons, the selected teams are expected to take part in a coding competition where software programmers, developers, and designers among others, will build and design innovative concepts.

The successful startup teams in each edition, stand to win cash prizes, undergo incubation at an appropriate hub and NITDA will expose the winners to national and international startup events. Also, startups with viable solutions also stand a chance of having their solutions adopted and implemented by MDAs.

For more information on NITDA 2020 Hackathon, applicants can visit the event portal: www.futurehack.ng.