… Flagship event goes fully virtual as innovators tackle the theme: “AI: Embrace or Extinct”
By Rashidat O. Okunlade | Lagos
Zenith Bank Plc is set to host the sixth edition of its flagship technology event, Zenith Bank Tech Fair 2026: Future Forward 6.0, on Thursday, November 5, 2026, under the theme, “AI: Embrace or Extinct.”
Renowned for its scale and showcase of technological innovation, the annual Tech Fair has evolved into a premier platform for connecting ideas, talent, and opportunities. Over the years, the event has brought together technology leaders, entrepreneurs, and young innovators to explore emerging technologies, showcase solutions, and examine the future of the digital economy.
A Vision of Empowerment
Conceived by the Bank’s Founder, Jim Ovia, CFR, the initiative reflects his vision of empowering young Nigerians through technology and nurturing inventors capable of developing solutions with global relevance. It also reinforces Zenith Bank’s commitment to digital advancement and the growth of Nigeria’s technology ecosystem.
The impact of the Tech Fair is evident in the solutions emerging from its competitions. Previous winners include:
JumpnPass, which developed a self-checkout solution for retail.
CreditChek, which uses artificial intelligence and open banking to streamline credit verification.
TrustLoop, winner of the 2025 hackathon for its digital identity verification solution.
Cubbes Technologies, which won the 2025 startup pitch with its AI-powered EdTech learning platform.
Through millions in prize funding and mentorship, the Tech Fair continues to support promising innovators in developing practical solutions to real-world challenges.
Going Borderless
For the first time, the Tech Fair will be held entirely virtually, opening participation to a wider, borderless audience across Nigeria and beyond.
This year’s theme explores the growing influence of AI and challenges individuals and organisations to consider how best to harness its potential in an increasingly technology-driven world. The event will offer participants an opportunity to discover emerging innovations, gain fresh insights, and engage with ideas shaping the future of work and business.
The Tech Fair will be accessible via Zoom, Instagram, X, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.
Interested participants are encouraged to register at www.zenithbank.com/techfair to experience the possibilities of AI at the 2026 event.
What To Know About Zenith Bank Plc
Zenith Bank Plc is one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, recognised for its commitment to innovation, service excellence, and strong corporate governance. Through strategic investments in technology and human capital, the Bank continues to deliver innovative financial solutions and contribute to the development of Nigeria’s digital economy.
Why It Matters
The theme for this year’s Tech Fair, “AI: Embrace or Extinct,” is deliberately provocative, and for good reason. Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant, futuristic concept; it is actively reshaping industries, from finance and healthcare to education and agriculture. For Nigerian businesses and young professionals, the choice is indeed binary: adapt and innovate, or risk being left behind in the global digital economy.
Zenith Bank’s decision to take the event entirely virtual for the first time is a strategic masterstroke. By removing the geographical barriers of a physical venue in Lagos, the Bank is democratising access to high-level tech conversations. An aspiring innovator in Kano or Enugu now has the same access to insights and networking as someone in Victoria Island.
Moreover, the track record of the Tech Fair’s past winners proves that this is not just a talk shop. The transition of ideas like JumpnPass and CreditChek from hackathon pitches to real-world solutions demonstrates the tangible economic value of the platform. By providing seed funding and mentorship, Zenith Bank is doing more than just marketing its brand; it is actively building the infrastructure of Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.
As AI continues to disrupt traditional employment models, platforms like Future Forward 6.0 will be critical in upskilling the next generation of Nigerian talent. The message is clear: the future belongs to those who embrace the technology.
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