Nugi Technologies, UAU Foundation Reward Young Creatives with Millions at Carnival Calabar Video Challenge
Smiles and celebration filled the Calabar International Conference Centre on 10 January 2026 as dozens of young creatives walked away with substantial cash rewards at the grand finale of the Carnival Calabar Video Challenge, an initiative promoted by Ugi Augustine Ugi through Nugi Technologies Nigeria Limited and the UAU Foundation.
The event, which formed part of the month-long Carnival Calabar and Festival, coincided with the 10th anniversary of Nugi Technologies Nigeria Limited.
The milestone was marked not with pomp alone, but with a deliberate focus on youth empowerment and creative development, as winners of the video challenge received cheques running into millions of naira for their innovative content celebrating Africa’s largest street party.
Organisers explained that the challenge was designed to showcase the vibrancy, colour and cultural depth of Carnival Calabar through the eyes of young content creators, while also attracting global attention to the festival.
Over 80 video entries were received from participants across the state and beyond, reflecting a growing creative economy driven by digital storytelling.
At the award ceremony, five participants emerged as top winners, each receiving N1 million, while 20 others went home with N500,000 each. An additional 20 participants were awarded N150,000 each in recognition of their creativity and effort.
Speaking at the event, representatives of Nugi Technologies and the UAU Foundation described the initiative as part of a broader commitment to empowering young people and strengthening the creative ecosystem in Cross River State.
They noted that the collaboration between Nugi Technologies and the UAU Foundation reflects a blend of commercial excellence and social responsibility, demonstrating how indigenous innovation can transform government revenue at scale, power national-level digital systems, uplift communities through structured giving and inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs and content creators.
Founded in 2015 as an indigenous technology and digital infrastructure company, Nugi Technologies Nigeria Limited has grown from a modest idea into one of Nigeria’s most trusted technology partners for governments and enterprises.
Over the past three years, the company has played a transformative role in reshaping Cross River State’s Internally Generated Revenue performance through the deployment of digital systems, automation, transparency and process re-engineering.
Before Nugi Technologies’ intervention, the state generated about N19 billion annually in internally generated revenue. Between August and December 2023 alone, over N13 billion was generated within just five months. This momentum continued into the 2024 fiscal year, with revenue exceeding N46 billion.
Observers say the figures reflect a structural shift from manual and fragmented revenue processes to a scalable, technology-driven ecosystem that has delivered historic growth, improved accountability and sustainable revenue expansion for the state.
Today, Nugi Technologies Nigeria Limited serves as the official technology partner to the Cross River State Government and provides solutions to a diverse portfolio of high-profile clients across fintech, government, education and development sectors.
Its client base includes organisations such as Moniepoint, eTransact, the University of Cross River State, the Pan-African Women Empowerment Network and Goldwyn Financials, among others.
Beyond technology and revenue transformation, the UAU Foundation has remained active in community development and youth empowerment. Its involvement in Carnival Calabar formed part of a wider programme of challenges and interventions aimed at supporting creatives, entrepreneurs and small business owners across the state.
Through various UAU Foundation challenges, a total of 108 winners have been empowered with structured financial support, with N44.35 million disbursed directly to beneficiaries.
From humble beginnings built on limited capital to delivering billion-naira digital solutions and national impact, Nugi Technologies Nigeria Limited continues to position itself as a key player in Africa’s digital future.
