Izuchukwu OkosiThe Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, in partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI), launched an initiative for innovation and creative development of the Nigerian youth.
The programme is the second edition of the 60-day app development challenge for young tech enthusiasts across the country.
The initiative which is open to applicants between ages 18-35, according to the National Youth Policy, is aimed at improving innovation and creativity among the Nigerian Youth by encouraging them to develop their app ideas and turn them into a reality by using them to solve problems within one of the shortlisted sectors: Agric-tech, Edu-tech, Fintech, Health, Sports, or Telecommunications.
A communique signed by Mohammed Manga, the Director, Press and Public Relations of the Sports Ministry on Tuesday, 10 January 2023 extensively detailed how the programme will be executed.
A breakdown shows that the Agric-tech sector covers technologies related to agriculture, such as precision farming, crop monitoring, and irrigation systems. An app idea that solves a problem in this sector could help farmers optimize their crop yields, identify pests and diseases early, or streamline their irrigation systems.
The Edu-tech sector covers technologies related to education, such as online learning platforms, virtual classrooms, and educational games. An app idea that solves a problem in this sector could help students learn more effectively provide access to high-quality education for underserved communities, or gamify the learning process.
The Fintech sector covers technologies related to finance, such as mobile banking, online payment systems, and personal finance management tools. An app idea that solves a problem in this sector could help people manage their finances more easily and provide access to financial services for underserved communities or streamlines the payment process for businesses.
The Health sector covers technologies related to healthcare, such as telemedicine, fitness tracking and disease management. An app idea that solves a problem in this sector could help people manage their health more effectively, provide access to healthcare for underserved communities, or track and motivate healthy behaviours.
The Sports sector covers technologies related to sports, such as fitness tracking, performance analysis, and sports media.
An app idea that solves a problem in this sector could help athletes optimize their performance, provide access to sports content for underserved communities, or streamlines the process of managing a sports team.
The Telecommunications sector covers technologies related to telecommunications, such as mobile networks, internet service providers, and communication tools.
An app idea that solves a problem in this sector could help people stay connected more easily, provide access to communication tools for underserved communities, or streamlines the process of managing a telecom network.
Overall, the 2nd National 60 Days App Challenge is an exciting opportunity for young people to develop their own app ideas and turn them into a reality by focusing on solving problems within the shortlisted sectors. Participants can make a meaningful impact and potentially turn their app into a successful business.
Asides from the potential digital jobs that will be created from the solutions and the number of people that will find the app useful in their day-to-day affairs and personal development, incentives to app developers are to further attract a ₦1m grand prize for 10 top apps; Business Development Training as well as 50 Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development participation certificates, amongst others.
Prospective applicants are expected to send in their entries through the portal, www.appchallenge.ng beginning from 9th January 2023.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
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