TTSWG Expands Innovation Challenge to Five Sectors, Awards ₦9.5m to Startups

​Nigeria’s telecommunications and technology landscape has taken a major stride toward holistic national development, as the Telecommunications and Technology Sustainability Working Group (TTSWG) broadened its flagship Innovation Makers Challenge (IMC) to encompass five critical economic sectors.

​Previously focused primarily on two areas during its inaugural run, the expanded initiative now targets health, agriculture, education, climate change, and broader technology solutions. The announcement was made during the second edition of the IMC Conference and Exhibition held in Lagos, which gathered industry regulators, telecom executives, investors, and emerging entrepreneurs.

​Highlighting the event was a high-stakes live pitch competition featuring five female-led, early-stage ventures. Agrovesto, an AgriTech operating system designed for sustainable and bankable agriculture, clinched the grand prize of ₦6 million. Blue Sands STEM Labs secured ₦2 million as the first runner-up for its virtual laboratory education platform, while QiqiFarms took home ₦1 million as the second runner-up for its agricultural produce off-taker solutions. Other notable finalists included Elcornel Business Enterprises Limited and Anatsor Limited.

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​Speaking on the strategic vision behind the initiative, IHS Nigeria Senior Vice President and Chief Corporate Services Officer, Dapo Otunla, emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between infrastructure and imagination. He noted that robust connectivity must be matched with actionable capabilities to enable young innovators to successfully scale their enterprises.

​Similarly, the Lead Consultant at the TTSWG Secretariat, Bankole Oloruntoba, stressed that technology alone cannot completely drive sustainable development. He reiterated that cross-sector collaboration remains vital to inspiring a new generation of creators and resolving pressing socio-economic challenges across Nigeria.