Wema Bank has scheduled November 6, 2026, for the grand finale of its flagship innovation programme, Hackaholics 7.0, after attracting 5,329 participants and generating 1,632 ideas in a nationwide search for young innovators.
The finale, themed “Festival of the Future,” will bring together technology leaders, startup founders, investors and other stakeholders to showcase emerging technologies, explore innovative solutions and recognise ideas capable of addressing real-world challenges.
The event will also feature interactive experiences and discussions on how artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies are transforming businesses, workplaces and everyday life.
Speaking ahead of the finale, Wema Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Moruf Oseni, said the initiative reflected the bank’s commitment to empowering Nigerians to participate actively in shaping the 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.
He explained that the Festival of the Future was designed to bring innovation closer to the public, stimulate meaningful conversations and encourage fresh perspectives on emerging possibilities.
According to him, Hackaholics has evolved beyond a competition into a platform for identifying promising talent, nurturing ideas and connecting young innovators with opportunities to develop their solutions.
“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 said.
Oseni added that the seventh edition would strengthen the bank’s commitment to developing Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem by bringing together people, ideas and experiences capable of inspiring the next generation of solutions.
Hackaholics 7.0 was launched on July 1, 2026, under the theme “Powering Possibilities,” beginning with a nationwide pitch centre tour designed to discover innovative ideas from young Nigerians.
The four-month tour covered seven locations: Uyo, Kano, Yaba College of Technology, Benin, Ibadan, Enugu and Lagos.
The programme featured three tracks: Ideathon, Hackathon and Social Impact. The Ideathon focused on promising ideas, while the Hackathon provided opportunities for technology developers and builders to demonstrate their solutions. The Social Impact track, meanwhile, targeted innovations designed to deliver measurable benefits to society.
At the conclusion of the nationwide tour, 59 participants emerged from the various pitch centres and are expected to undergo further screening to produce 20 finalists.
The shortlisted innovators will present refined versions of their solutions at a pre-pitch event scheduled for November 4.
On November 5, participants will embark on an ecosystem tour organised by the bank, visiting leading institutions in the technology and innovation sector to engage industry professionals and gain practical insights ahead of the final competition.
The programme will culminate in the Festival of the Future on November 6, when outstanding innovators will be recognised for their ideas and solutions.
Through Hackaholics, Wema Bank aims to promote entrepreneurship, strengthen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem and create opportunities for young people to develop solutions that can contribute to economic growth and social development.
