Some teams have received invitations to compete at the grand finale of the Hackaholics 6.0 initiative of Wema Bank.
According to a statement from the bank, the Hackaholics 6.0 train had stopped at four higher institutions, the Federal University of Technology, Akure; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; the University of Ibadan; and Purple Academy, Lagos.
Since its launch in 2019, Hackaholics has grown into a cornerstone of youth engagement and innovation in Nigeria. With over 12,000 applicants from 15 schools and a total of over $300,000 disbursed in funding, including N75m awarded to women-led teams between 2023 and 2024, the initiative continues to grow.
At each stop, over 3,000 entries were received, and hundreds of students and young entrepreneurs gathered to receive industry-led masterclasses and develop ideas aimed at solving challenges in the ecosystem.
For four days in each location, participants were immersed in the full Hackaholics experience, from ideation to mentorship to pitch readiness, culminating in high-energy final pitches where the best ideas emerged.
Three Ideathon-winning teams emerged at each location, including one women-led group, and two Hackathon teams, who received invitations to compete at the Hackaholics 6.0 Grand Finale. These teams now stand a chance to scale their solutions with the backing of Wema Bank’s innovation ecosystem.
Speaking on the initiative, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Wema Bank Plc, Moruf Oseni, said, “Hackaholics has always been about more than technology. It is about empowering young people to think differently, create boldly, and contribute solutions that can move our industry and nation forward.
“The level of talent and creativity we have witnessed so far further reinforces why we continue to invest in this programme.
The innovative ideas and solutions coming out of the participants have the power to shape the future of financial services and beyond, and we are excited to see them come to life.”
The bank said the programme has consistently delivered on its mission to create a vibrant ecosystem where students, innovators, and early-stage founders can collaborate, learn, and grow while building long-term relationships with it.
The Hackaholics 6.0 train will continue its journey to more cities before the Grand Finale.
