Wema Bank to Announce Hackaholics 7.0 Winners November 6

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The winners of Hackaholics 7.0, organised by Wema Bank Plc, are expected to be unveiled on Friday, November 6, 2026.

This year’s edition commenced on July 1, 2026, and this weekend, the competition will come to an end at the grand finale themed Festival of the Future.”

The event is expected to 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.

It will also feature innovation showcases, interactive experiences and conversations exploring how emerging technologies are transforming the way people live, work, build and create.

Participants and attendees will 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 programme will also recognise and celebrate outstanding innovators whose ideas have demonstrated the potential to address real-world challenges and create meaningful impact.

“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.

“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,” the chief executive of Wema Bank, Mr Moruf Oseni, said.

“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.

“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,” he added.

The 2026 Hackaholics attracted 5,329 participants and 1,632 innovative ideas and solutions, with pitch centres hosted across seven locations: Uyo, Kano, Yabatech, Benin, Ibadan, Enugu and Lagos.

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.

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.