By Ayomide Otitoju
Wema Bank, Nigeria’s most innovative financial institution and the pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment and technological innovation through the sixth edition of its flagship ideathon and hackathon series, Hackaholics 6.0.
The 2025 edition has made significant stops across four major Nigerian cities — Akure, Zaria, Ibadan, and Lagos — engaging students and young innovators from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA); Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria; the University of Ibadan (UI); and Purple Academy, Lagos.
With over 3,000 entries received so far, hundreds of participants in each city took part in hands-on training sessions, mentorship programmes, and industry-led masterclasses. Over four days in each location, participants worked in teams to develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges, culminating in dynamic final pitch sessions where top ideas were selected.
At every stop, three winning Ideathon teams — including at least one women-led group — and two Hackathon teams earned spots in the forthcoming Hackaholics 6.0 Grand Finale, where they will compete for funding and support to scale their solutions through Wema Bank’s innovation ecosystem.
Speaking on the initiative, Wema Bank’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Moruf Oseni, emphasized that Hackaholics extends beyond technology:
“Hackaholics has always been about more than technology. It’s about empowering young people to think differently, create boldly, and provide solutions that can move our industry and nation forward. The creativity and innovation we’ve seen so far affirm our belief in the potential of Nigeria’s youth to shape the future.”
Since its inception in 2019, Hackaholics has evolved into one of Nigeria’s largest innovation platforms, attracting over 12,000 applicants from 15 universities and disbursing more than $300,000 in funding, including ₦75 million awarded to women-led teams between 2023 and 2024.
As Hackaholics 6.0 continues its nationwide tour ahead of the Grand Finale, Wema Bank remains dedicated to nurturing the next generation of innovators by equipping them with the tools, mentorship, and funding needed to transform their ideas into scalable ventures.
