Dr, Isa Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy has directed agencies under his ministry- Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (FMoCDE)- to institute grants for start-ups in Nigeria.
The Minister made this known while he appeared as a special guest of honor in a COVID19 innovation challenge in the country.
The challenge was a demo day and prize-giving event organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
Pantami had directed all the agencies within the supervision of the Ministry to work out ways by which research grants can be made available for potential innovative solutions that will assist in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
The agencies have also been tasked with the responsibility of incubating the proposed solution
The concern agencies include;
- Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)
- National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)
- Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited
- Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST)
- Galaxy Backbone Limited
Dr. Pantami said “with COVID19, there is a need to fast-track the implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria, adding that “ICT will play a great role in supporting contact tracing and physical distancing in the war against the virus”.
The event saw the presentation of research grants in 2.2 Million Naira to three Nigerian start-ups that appeared promising.
Pantami also gave further directives that half of the fund goes into moving the proposed ideas into working solutions.
Featured Image: Independent.ng
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