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In a bid to improve the involvement of Nigerians in processes and decisions that affect them, Tech-IN Series, a quarterly event aimed at harnessing the power of technology for economic development in Nigeria is calling for submission of innovative ideas that can help transform the participation of Nigerians in how the country is governed.

Starting with Tech-IN Governance, the event would bring together ideas, people and digital tools in a 48-hour camp to hold in Lagos later this month, using the Internet and mobile phone to create solutions that would help improve the participation of Nigerians in governance. "Governance we believe encompasses not just government, but also the civil society, the systems, the procedures and processes in place for planning, management and decision-making," said Bosun Tijani, the Project Director of Tech-IN Series. "Fostering sound public judgment through engagement of citizens is thus a key instrument for better Governance.

While technology offers no magic solutions, the diffusion of mobile phone in Africa provides a platform through which more citizens can gain access to information while participating in development processes and decisions that affect them."

Managing information

The Freedom of Information Bill, he added, would help put necessary information in the hands of people who really need it. "Having the bill in place is good but what we do with it is the real question," he said. "Solutions from Tech-In Governance will go the extra miles to help put the information in the hands of people who really do need to know, and not just people, but civil society and other key part of governance can then judiciously use the available information in contributing to decisions that affects the average Nigerian." The programme is open to Nigerians from age 18 who have creative web/mobile based ideas that have potentials to transform citizen participation in governance. The idea should be focused on addressing the specified need which is citizen participation in governance; technology must be central to its purpose and it must be something new.

According to Mr Tijani, the entries would be short listed to six by a panel of judges, and then 60 professionals from different walks of life will be selected to work on the ideas alongside the proponents over the 48-hour period. "An independent panel of judges will select six ideas from all the ideas received," he said. "The judges will choose the ideas which they think hold the greatest potential to benefit most from Tech-In Governance and transform how Nigerians participate in the management of their country. Applications can be submitted on www.tech-in.or g."

Available prizes

The event will close with a Show and Tell pitching competition where top three ideas will win cash prizes and in-kind business support to grow their ventures and solutions.

The winners will receive $3000, $2000 and $1500 respectively. "Beyond the event, all six ideas will be carefully nurtured and supported by Co-creation Hub Nigeria through diverse range of local and international partners," said Mr Tijani. "Our commitment is to help birth novel contextualized tools and as such we'll work closely with the new ventures to increase their chances of survival."

Co-Creation Hub was the organizer of Social Innovation Camp, a similar event which had its debut in Lagos last year. The next series will be Tech-In Traffic which will seek to support the co-creation of tools which ordinary Nigerians and organizations can use to track real time traffic situation on major Nigerian roads