The MTN App Developer Challenge has just been completed and the winners of the competition have been well compensated by the host MTN at their headquarters in Lagos Nigeria.
The entry categories this challenge include entertainment and lifestyle, productivity, games, education, education, health and a special category for student entries
“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,” said Larry Annetts, chief marketing officer, MTN Nigeria.
The first phase of the challenge started on 24 July 2013, from which the top downloaded apps would be short listed.
In the second phase, which began on 24 October and ended on 24 November 2013, members of the public had to visit the MTN Nextappstore to download their favourite apps from the entries. The top 4 apps were selected based on the number of downloads. The judges then selected one wild card app per category.
The panel of Judges for the challenge included, Chika Nwobi, a serial entrepreneur; Akinwunmi Braithwaite, customer relations executive, MTN Nigeria; Stanley Muoneke, business development director at Intel and Emmanuel Oluwatosin, business manager, Nokia Live and Country Lead, Mobile Monday Nigeria.
Judging 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.
So who were the best?
- The Best Overall App was Okada Books – 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 – by Henri Good Nnochiri.
- The Best Entertainment & Lifestyle App was Afro Talez – by Elizabeth Kperrun. The app presents traditional African Folktales in a fun, entertaining and interactive way for kids.
- The Best Gaming App was Danfo Reloaded II – by Bayo Puddicombe . This is a representation of the thrills of driving on the average Nigerian road.
- The Best Health & Wellness App, Certified Drugs – by Ilyas Muyiwa. It provides an updated 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 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.
