… MD/CEO Moruf Oseni says initiative is building an ecosystem where Nigerian innovation thrives
… Over 5,300 participants, 59 finalists to converge as Bank celebrates Nigeria’s brightest tech talents
By Rashidat Okunlade | Lagos
Wema Bank, Nigeria’s oldest indigenous bank, most innovative financial institution, 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.
Beyond a Traditional Competition
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,” Oseni said.
“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.”
An Ecosystem Where Innovation Thrives
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,” he added.
“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.”
The Journey to the Grand Finale
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, 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.
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.
Why It Matters
In Nigeria’s rapidly evolving tech ecosystem, hackathons and pitch competitions are a dime a dozen. But very few have the institutional backing, longevity, and national reach of Wema Bank’s Hackaholics.
The sheer scale of Hackaholics 7.0 is a testament to the Bank’s deep commitment to grassroots innovation. Attracting over 5,300 participants and nearly 1,600 ideas across seven major cities from Uyo to Kano demonstrates that Nigeria’s tech talent is not confined to the Lagos bubble. By taking the pitch centres to the regions, Wema Bank is actively democratizing access to capital, mentorship, and exposure.
However, the true significance of the “Festival of the Future” concept lies in its evolution. By moving beyond a simple pitch competition to an immersive experience that brings together investors, founders, and the public, Wema Bank is acknowledging a critical truth: innovation does not happen in isolation. It requires an ecosystem where ideas can be tested, funded, and scaled.
Moruf Oseni’s emphasis on AI and emerging technologies is also highly strategic. As the global economy pivots toward artificial intelligence, the solutions presented at Hackaholics 7.0 will offer a glimpse into how Nigerian youths are adapting these tools to solve local problems.
The ultimate metric of Hackaholics’ success, however, is not the grand prize handed out on November 6. It is the number of those 59 finalists or the thousands of other participants who go on to build sustainable, profitable businesses that create jobs and drive economic growth. If Wema Bank can provide the ongoing support and funding required to nurture these startups past the initial hype, it will solidify its legacy as a true engine of Nigerian innovation.
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