While this is absolutely appalling from our standpoint, other countries dont play by the same rules. Nigeria has a lot of poverty and while i've no idea what the cost of living is over there, i bet $3k goes a lot further there, than in the US.
So while that IS exploitative, it should be better and i dont condone it at all, its perhaps the first step in a road to a better tech industry. Sometimes an industry doesnt just start at the end goal, it has to have a few shitty iterations before things improve.
Perhaps the next competition will be fairer after learning some lessons by running this one?
I think the most troubling part of it is essentially becoming a full-time employee of the business running the competition. It wouldn't be so bad if they just took the app, handed over the money and parted ways but now they're responsible for maintenance with no extra compensation. Seems quite dangerous to me.
And as I commented elsewhere, you're also agreeing to complete the app according to unspecified, additional requirements. It's not just maintenance; you're agreeing to do unlimited dev work up front for no additional pay, too.
You would think that but business and people don't work like that they try to get away with some outlandish shit and if a lot of Nigerians bite that's it folks a industry is born.
Don't expect it to get better since if you don't accept the shitty deal their offering someone else will.
So while that IS exploitative, it should be better and i dont condone it at all, its perhaps the first step in a road to a better tech industry. Sometimes an industry doesnt just start at the end goal, it has to have a few shitty iterations before things improve.
Perhaps the next competition will be fairer after learning some lessons by running this one?