Emma Okonji

The President of Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Dr. Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu has explained the importance of the annual National Information Technology Merit Awards (NITMA), organised by NCS, insisting that the awards have been designed to spur technology innovation across the county that will enhance Nigeria's digital economy growth.

Aliyu said this in Lagos recently, while announcing this year's NITMA awards, scheduled to hold at the MUSON Centre in Onikan, Lagos, on November 21.

According to him, the awardees for different award categories were carefully selected based on standard industry criteria, which must be met before voting is made open to the public to decide the winners.

Some of the criteria for selecting nominees for the awards, include the quality of tech solutions that have been developed to address specific challenges in Nigeria and the award will spur them to develop more solutions that will drive digital transformation in Nigeria, Aliyu said.

Chairman, Publicity and Events Committee of NCS, Mrs. Shulammite Ilebiyi, said the committee followed the set standards for selection and screening of nominees before the actual voting that closed this week. According to her, the committee expanded the award categories this year, to accommodate more Nigerians that are contributing to digital development of Nigeria.

Deputy President of NCS, Dr. Charles Onyeukwu, said several Nigerians and organisations have developed solutions that are addressing critical challenges in the Nigerian economy, explaining that such individuals and organisations are recognised at NITMA's awards to spur them to do more for the country.

Aliyu listed some of the awards categories for this year, to include: IT Personality of the Year, Digital Governor of the Year, IT Gold Medal Award, Youth Innovation Award, IT Company of the Year, Tech Mentor of the Year, and Cybersecurity Advocate of the Year.