MTN presents prizes to winners of App Developer Challenge

Following the successful completion of the MTN App Developer Challenge, leading Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Company, MTN Nigeria has presented prizes to the winners in all the categories at its headquarters in Lagos.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the initiative, the Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria, Larry Annetts, said: “The MTN App Developer Challenge is a demonstration of our commitment to delivering a bold new digital world to our esteemed customers. This initiative represents a tangible and credible platform to make our brand promise a reality as well as promote the growth and use of locally relevant content, which would help develop the Nigerian app ecosystem.”

The first phase of the challenge which kicked off on 24 July 2013 witnessed hundreds of mobile app entries, from which the top downloaded apps would be shortlisted.

In the second phase, which began on 24 October and ended on 24 November 2013, members of the public had to visit the the MTN Nextappstore to download their favourite apps from the entries. Based on the highest number of downloads, 4 apps were selected per category. The judges then selected one wild card app per category.

Categories for entries in the MTN App Developer Challenge include Entertainment and lifestyle, Productivity, Games, Education, Health and a special category for student entries.

The panel of Judges for the challenge included serial entrepreneur, Chika Nwobi; Customer Relations Executive, MTN Nigeria, Akinwunmi Braithwaite; Business Development Director at Intel, Stanley Muoneke and Business Manager, Nokia Live and Country Lead, Mobile Monday Nigeria, Emmanuel Oluwatosin. The Judging criteria was based on the originality of concept, relevance of concept to the market, apps with the best user experience as well as its commercial viability.

The Best Overall App was won by Okada Books, developed by Okechukwu Ofili. The app provides a fast, simple and fun way to read books without ever leaving the couch. It provides access to past JAMB and WAEC questions and thus turns the phone into a powerful educational resource tool.

The Best Education App was Onpoint, a GPA calculator and timetable, developed by Henri Good Nnochiri.

The Best Entertainment & Lifestyle App, Afro Talez, developed by Elizabeth Kperrun, presents traditional African Folktales in a fun, entertaining and interactive way for kids. The Best Gaming App, Danfo Reloaded II by Bayo Puddicombe is a representation of the thrills of driving on the average Nigerian road. The Best Health & Wellness App, Certified Drugs by Ilyas Muyiwa provides an up to date database of pharmaceuticals and allied products approved for use in Nigeria.

The Best Productivity App, Track My Cash by Sunday Akinsete is a personal cash manager that helps to track how your money is being expended. The Special Category which is the Best Student App (Undergraduate) was won by Kayode Sowole, who developed the Wazobia Bible that allows people to read the bible in Pidgin and other translations.

The Best Overall winner received a Hyundai IX35 car and N1 million in addition to a Samsung Galaxy S4 mobile phone, as well as, six months’ promotion on the MTN NextApps store. The six other winners that emerged from each category received N1 million and a Samsung Galaxy S4 mobile phone as well as six months’ promotion on the MTN NextApps store.