Wema Bank Unveils 21 Finalists for Hackaholics 7.0

The selected innovators emerged from 5,329 participants and 1,632 ideas, ahead of Friday’s grand finale in Lagos themed ‘Festival of the Future’

Wema Bank Plc has unveiled 21 finalists for the seventh edition of its Hackaholics innovation programme, setting the stage for the grand finale scheduled for Friday, November 6, 2026, in Lagos, as the bank steps up efforts to support young Nigerian innovators and technology-driven entrepreneurship.

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The finalists were selected following a nationwide competition that attracted 5,329 participants and generated 1,632 ideas and solutions across seven pitch centres.

The grand finale, themed Festival of the Future, is expected to bring together technology leaders, startup founders, investors and other stakeholders in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.

The 21 selected teams are Dynalimb, Harthiq, Acceede, Vhorde, URI, Trarrk, SocialSign, RaverPay, All-Arbitrates, CitizensGage, Craft-Planet, FOID, PayByPalm, Niteonn, Nexa-AI, Neural-Forge, MamaAlert, JolliFlow, Becca, CropiQ and Middleman.

Their selection marks the culmination of several months of activities under Hackaholics 7.0, which commenced on July 1, 2026, with a nationwide search for promising ideas capable of addressing practical challenges through technology and innovation.

The competition covered seven locations: Uyo, Kano, Yaba College of Technology in Lagos, Benin, Ibadan, Enugu and Lagos.

At the end of the nationwide tour, 59 participants emerged from the various centres before the field was narrowed to the final 21 through a multi-stage evaluation process.

The finalists’ programme includes a pre-pitch session on Wednesday, November 4, where participants are expected to present refined versions of their solutions.

This is followed by an ecosystem tour on Thursday, November 5, giving them opportunities to visit leading institutions, interact with industry professionals and gain practical insights ahead of the final competition.

The programme will conclude with Friday’s grand finale, where outstanding innovators will be recognised for their ideas and solutions.

The event is also expected to feature innovation showcases and discussions on emerging technologies and their influence on businesses and everyday life.

Wema Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Moruf Oseni, has described Hackaholics as more than a competition, positioning it as a platform for identifying talent, nurturing ideas and connecting young innovators with opportunities.

Speaking ahead of the event, Oseni said the bank remained committed to providing young Nigerians with the resources and support needed to turn their ideas into practical solutions.

He also highlighted the growing influence of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, arguing that the focus should extend beyond anticipating the future to preparing people to shape it.

Since its launch in 2019, Hackaholics has grown into one of Wema Bank’s key youth-focused innovation initiatives.

According to figures published on the programme’s official website, it has recorded more than 21,000 applicants, engaged over 50,000 participants, supported more than 10,000 startups across three countries and developed over 100 solutions from scratch.

Innovation Hackathon for Africa

The initiative is designed to provide young people with opportunities to develop technology-driven ideas, build practical solutions and gain exposure to the wider digital economy. Its three competition tracks, Ideathon,

Hackathon and Social Impact, cater to different stages and forms of innovation, from developing early-stage concepts to building technology products and addressing societal challenges.

The latest edition therefore represents another opportunity for emerging founders and innovators to move beyond the idea stage and connect with potential partners, investors and industry professionals.

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With the Festival of the Future theme, Wema Bank is seeking to make the grand finale a broader celebration of innovation while highlighting the role young Nigerians can play in developing solutions for the country’s evolving economic and technological needs.