Jigawa To Host North-West NIGCOMSAT Regional Hackathon, VSAT Training

The Jigawa State Government, in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), is set to host the North-West Regional Hackathon and VSAT Training.

The event, which will take place in Dutse, the state capital, from April 7 to April 11, 2025, is open to participation by start-ups, local innovators, and students across the region.

A statement issued to LEADERSHIP by the Head of Corporate Affairs Department, Aisha Bantam, said the programme aims to nurture innovation and foster creative solutions to real-world challenges using space technology.

“The five-day hackathon will allow participants ample time to identify community challenges, develop ideas and build prototype solutions to address these challenges using advanced satellite technologies, as well as receive mentorship.

“The winning team from the hackathon exercise will earn a spot in the prestigious NIGCOMSAT Accelerator Programme Cohort 2025, providing the participants with further opportunities to refine and implement their projects.

“Simultaneously, 100 young individuals will receive training on the installation of Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) systems, which are extensively used to provide reliable broadband connectivity in remote areas.

“By equipping and certifying these participants with technical expertise to install, configure, and maintain VSAT systems, they will gain a competitive edge in the job market and have the opportunity to explore lucrative career and entrepreneurship opportunities in the ICT sector.

“It would be recalled that the North-East regional hackathon and VSAT training was held in Yola, Adamawa State, from the 24th to 28th February 2025. The event witnessed an impressive turnout and laid the foundation for this series of regional engagements.

“The overarching goal of the SpaceTech Hackathon and VSAT Trainings is to inspire and equip young Nigerians across all regions to develop innovative solutions for community challenges while addressing youth unemployment, ” the statement reads.