Hackaholics 7.0: Wema Bank to celebrate young innovators November 6

Stanley Ihedigbo

Wema Bank has announced November 6, 2026, as the date for the grand finale of its flagship innovation initiative, Hackaholics 7.0, with “Festival of the Future” unveiled as the theme for the event.

The grand finale, according to the bank, will bring together innovators, technology leaders, startup founders, investors and other key stakeholders in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem for a celebration of ideas, technology and emerging possibilities.

The event will feature innovation showcases, interactive experiences and discussions on how emerging technologies are transforming the way people live, work, build and create.

Beyond announcing this year’s finalists, the Festival of the Future will provide a platform for participants to explore emerging technologies, discover innovative solutions, connect with industry players and discuss opportunities and challenges in an increasingly technology-driven world.

Speaking on the initiative, Wema Bank’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Moruf Oseni, said the concept reflects the bank’s commitment to creating opportunities for Nigerians to actively participate in shaping the future.

He noted that the rapid development of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies was transforming industries, businesses and everyday life, making it important for Nigerians to prepare for and contribute to the changes.

According to him, the Festival of the Future is designed to bring innovation closer to people, encourage meaningful conversations and inspire new thinking about the future.

Oseni reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting young innovators, noting that Hackaholics had evolved beyond a conventional competition into a platform for identifying talents, nurturing ideas and connecting innovators with opportunities.

He explained that the initiative was established to provide young Nigerians with the resources, support and opportunities needed to transform their ideas into practical solutions capable of addressing societal challenges.

Launched on July 1, 2026, under the theme “Powering Possibilities,” Hackaholics 7.0 commenced with a nationwide pitch centre tour aimed at identifying and supporting innovative ideas from young Nigerians across the country.

The four-month programme attracted 5,329 participants and generated 1,632 innovative ideas and solutions, with pitch centres established in seven locations: Uyo, Kano, Yaba College of Technology, Benin, Ibadan, Enugu and Lagos.

The initiative featured three categories: Ideathon, Hackathon and Social Impact.

While the Ideathon focused on developing promising ideas, the Hackathon provided opportunities for technology developers and builders to showcase their solutions. The Social Impact category, on the other hand, recognised innovations designed to deliver measurable benefits to society.

At the end of the nationwide pitch centre tour, 59 participants emerged from the various locations, reflecting the diversity of ideas and talents identified through the programme.

The 59 participants will subsequently be shortlisted to 20 finalists, 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 opportunities to visit leading institutions within the technology and innovation sector, interact with industry professionals and gain practical insights ahead of the grand finale.

The programme will culminate on November 6 with the Festival of the Future, where outstanding innovators will be recognised and celebrated.

Through Hackaholics, Wema Bank continues to strengthen its support for innovation, entrepreneurship and youth development, while creating opportunities for young Nigerians to contribute to technological advancement and economic growth.