University of Abuja Graduate Wins NITDA Innovation Challenge 1.0

Christian Chijioke Nwankwo, a Computer Science graduate of the University of Abuja and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has emerged winner of the NITDA Innovation Challenge 1.0.

The challenge, themed "Idea to Impact," aimed to encourage creativity and problem-solving among NITDA staff, interns, and corps members.

Nwankwo, who led Team X, developed COPA (Coppers Opportunity Placement App), a smart digital platform designed to maximize the impact of the one-year compulsory NYSC program. COPA aims to match corps members with roles that align with their skill sets, thereby utilizing the vast pool of human resources effectively.

"We have developed a platform that matches Youth Corps members to jobs based on their skill sets. This came from our own struggle here at NITDA. It's quite difficult to get a posting. Like, once you are posted by NYSC, most times you have to take your posting letter to the organization, and then go back to check whether or not you've been accepted."

The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, reaffirmed the agency's commitment to supporting young innovators and driving national transformation through technology .