Every store owner worries about customers stealing from them since their eyes can’t be everywhere in the store. For years, this has been a real problem for business owners, but a Nigerian has created an AI software to tackle this problem.
Abdulhakim Bashir, from Katsina, Nigeria, created Chiniki Guard, an AI software that senses a suspicious action or theft and sends a notification to a mobile application.
In 2019, Abdulhakim Bashi won the best AI startup award after a contest with other AI startups across the globe at the GITEX 2019 annual tech event in Dubai.
He emerged the winner in the artificial intelligence (AI) category out of 157 contestants from 73 countries in the Gulf Technology Exhibition, thanks to his innovative application, the Chiniki Guard (CG).
Abdulhakim Bashir is the outstanding personality featured on the latest episode of First Class Material, a documentary that highlights the work exemplary Nigerians are doing within and outside Nigeria
Speaking to LITV, Bashir said he got the inspiration to provide a solution to retail theft when he designed his first product, Chiniki, an eCommerce platform.
Chiniki in Hausa means “to bargain”. With Chiniki, Bashir was trying to get retailers online so as to bring them closer to their customers.
However, he said he realized then that the main problem for retailers wasn’t going online but it was about inventory management and theft.
As a result, he came up with an app that helps business owners preempt theft and provide solutions.
Since his app provided a solution to a major problem, it was a hit and it has not only won him awards internationally, but has also earned him global recognition.
Bashir has also employed numerous Nigerians from the north who work in his tech startup.
Bashir narrated to LITV how he combined schooling and working an 8 to 5 job while still working on the Chiniki Guard project.
Bashir, who is the founder/product lead of Chiniki Guard, and his employees spoke about the challenges faced building the app and how they overcame. They also spoke about efforts made to sustain their creation and their plans for the future.
First Class Materia is brought to you by LITV and sponsored by First Bank of Nigeria.
Watch the full interview with Abdulhakim Bashir below. To view previous episodes, go to www.lindaikeji.tv or Linda Ikeji TV on Youtube.
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