By Henry Obetta

To deepen its commitment to youth innovation and entrepreneurship with its flagship campus ideathon known as Hackaholics 6.0, Wema Bank recently toured four Nigeria cities from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, to the University of Ibadan (UI) and Purple Academy in Lagos, to create transformative solutions to real-world problems.

With over 3,000 entries submitted so far, at each location, 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 Hackaholics experience, from ideation to mentorship to pitch readiness, culminating in high-energy final pitches where the best ideas emerged.
In every location, three Ideathon winning teams; including one women-led group and two Hackathon teams walked away with invitations to compete at the Hackaholics 6.0 Grand Finale.

Speaking on the initiative, MD/CEO 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.

“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 ₦75 million awarded to women-led teams between 2023 and 2024, 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 Wema Bank.

As the Hackaholics 6.0 train continues its journey to more cities before the Grand Finale, Wema Bank remains committed to empowering the next generation of Nigerian innovators. Students and young entrepreneurs are encouraged to visit https://hackaholics.wemabank.com/ for more information on how to participate and submit their entries.”