NIGCOMSAT to Host ‘ACTINSPACE’ Innovation Competition in Abuja

The Nigeria Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Ltd says it plans to host the 2020 edition of ‘ACTINSPACE’ innovation competition in Abuja.

This is contained in a statement by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs of NIGCOMSAT, Mr Adamu Idris in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said the ACTINSPACE is an international competition targeted at students of tertiary institutions, IT startups and entrepreneurs to create new applications using technologies, satellite data and/or licenses.

Idris said the 2020 edition of the competition was being organised in collaboration with NIGCOMSAT, Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, African Aeronautics and Space Organisation (AASO).

He said other partners included the National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) France , European Space Agency (ESA), Airbus among others.

“The competition entry which opened some weeks ago is expected to end on Oct. 8.

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” Applicants from the ages of 18 to 35 years are expected to come up with solutions that are space-related for submission for the contest.

“The contest categories are New Space Player, Everyday Life Business and Space for Earth and Humans,” Idris said.

According to the Chairperson, local organising committee for ACTINSPACE Nigeria , Mrs Alma Okpalefe, participants are expected to devise solutions that could help to run their businesses, support humanitarian causes as well develop applications based on space technology.

Okpalefe said that the competition was open to all.

“Entries are accepted only through the NIGCOMSAT official website (www.nigcomsat.gov.ng)

” The second phase of the competition is the Hackathon where selected applicants will present their business ideas to judges and mentors over a two-day period, “she said.

Okpalefe said finalists and runners up would emerge at the end of the Hackathon of which the first place winner would represent Nigeria at the global event in Paris, France, in 2021.

“We are expecting to see Nigeria win at the global technology innovation challenge.

“To achieve this however, we must showcase the best of what we have to offer,” she said.