The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Wednesday said the Portal for the application of the Young Innovative Builders (YIB) programme for students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria is now open for interested applicants.
NCC in a statement on X said students who want to be a part of the programme must have designed, developed, built or deployed an innovative or tech-enabled product that leverages digital technology.
“Calling for innovative solutions built by Nigerian students who have completed their industrial training: the Young Innovative Builders programme will recognise students across the country in tertiary institutions who have gone through an industrial training programme,” the statement read.
“This initiative recognises the important role of industrial training programmes in providing practical experience for the application of knowledge.”
The Commission said the YIB programme will showcase and reward innovative projects built by young Nigerians that align with the Ministry’s objectives to grow the digital economy.
The top 48 projects in each state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will receive laptops while the next best 40 will receive tablets.
To be eligible, one must be a student in a Nigerian Tertiary Institution enrolled in his or her first degree.
“You should have designed, developed, built or deployed an innovative or tech-enabled project/product that leverages digital technology,” NCC stated.
“You must still be a student three months after the competition’s end date (December 22nd, 2023).
“Applicants must have gone through an Industrial training programme as the project should address real-world problems in the society.”
According to the statement, application opens on November 22, 2023 and closes on December 6, 2023.
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NCC added that applications must be submitted through the designated application form on this website, yib.fmcide.gov.ng.
Applications will be reviewed by a diverse selection committee with representation from academia, industry experts, the Ministry and other stakeholders, using a standard grading system.
The final list of successful applications will be published via official channels on/before December 22, 2023.
