Wema Bank, Nigeria’s oldest indigenous bank,
most innovative and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has
announced November 6, 2026, as the date for the grand finale of Hackaholics
7.0, its flagship innovation platform.
Themed “Festival of the Future.” The grand
finale will bring together innovators, technology leaders, startup founders,
investors and other key players in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem for an
immersive celebration of ideas, technology and the possibilities shaping the
future.
Beyond the much anticipated announcement of this year’s Hackaholics Finalists, the event will feature innovation showcases, interactive experiences and conversations exploring how emerging technologies are transforming the way people live, work, build and create.
Designed to go beyond the traditional
innovation competition, the Festival of the Future will provide a platform for
participants and attendees to experience emerging technologies, discover
innovative solutions, connect with industry players and engage in conversations
about the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly evolving world. The event
will also recognise and celebrate outstanding innovators whose ideas have
demonstrated the potential to address real-world challenges and create
meaningful impact.
Speaking on the significance of the grand
finale and the inspiration behind the Festival of the Future, Wema Bank’s
MD/CEO, Moruf Oseni, explained that the concept builds on the Bank’s commitment
to creating a future of possibilities while encouraging Nigerians to take a
more active role in shaping that future.
“The world is changing at an unprecedented
pace. Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are transforming
industries, businesses and everyday life, creating opportunities that would
have been difficult to imagine just a few years ago. The question is no longer
simply what the future holds, but how prepared we are to shape it.
“This thinking inspired the Festival of the
Future. We want to create an experience that brings innovation closer to
people, encourages meaningful conversations and challenges us to think
differently about how we will live, work, build and create in the years ahead,”
he said.
Reaffirming Wema Bank’s commitment to
supporting innovation and empowering young Nigerians, Oseni noted that
Hackaholics has continued to evolve beyond a competition into a platform for
discovering talent, nurturing ideas and connecting innovators with
opportunities.
“Since we launched Hackaholics, our goal has
remained consistent; to provide young Nigerians with the platform, resources,
opportunities and support they need to transform their ideas into practical
solutions. We believe that the future of innovation in Nigeria must be driven
by the talent, creativity and potential of our people.
“With Hackaholics 7.0, we are taking that
commitment further. Beyond recognising outstanding ideas, we want to bring
together the people, conversations and experiences that can inspire the next
generation of solutions. Our ambition is to continue building an ecosystem
where innovation thrives, possibilities are unlocked and Nigeria is better
positioned for the future,” he added.
Launched on July 1, 2026, under the theme
“Powering Possibilities, ”Hackaholics 7.0 commenced with a nationwide pitch
centre tour designed to discover and support innovative ideas from young
Nigerians across different regions of the country.
The four-month tour attracted 5,329
participants and 1,632 innovative ideas and solutions, with pitch centres hosted
across seven locations: Uyo, Kano, Yabatech, Benin, Ibadan, Enugu and Lagos.
Through three distinct tracks; the Ideathon,
Hackathon and Social Impact, the initiative provided opportunities for
students, graduates, technology enthusiasts, developers and social innovators
to present solutions addressing challenges across different sectors. The
Ideathon focused on promising ideas, the Hackathon provided a platform for
technology developers and builders, while the Social Impact track recognised
solutions designed to deliver measurable value to society.
At the conclusion of the nationwide tour, 59
participants emerged from the various pitch centres, reflecting the diversity
of ideas, talent and innovation discovered throughout the programme.
As Hackaholics 7.0 progresses towards its
final stage, the 59 finalists will be further shortlisted to 20, who will
present refined versions of their solutions at the Pre-Pitch scheduled for
November 4, 2026.
On November 5, the participants will embark
on an Ecosystem Tour powered by Wema Bank, providing an opportunity to visit
other top institutions within the technology and innovation ecosystem, interact
with industry professionals and gain practical insights ahead of the grand
finale.
The journey will culminate on November 6 at
the Festival of the Future, where the top innovators will be recognised and
celebrated.
Through Hackaholics, Wema Bank continues to
demonstrate its commitment to driving innovation, supporting entrepreneurship and
creating opportunities for young Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to
economic development.
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