Abayomi Susan
Wema Bank has announced the University of Uyo as the first Pitch Centre for the seventh edition of Hackaholics, its flagship innovation and startup initiative aimed at empowering young Africans to transform bold, technology-driven ideas into scalable, real-world solutions.
The announcement follows the official launch of Hackaholics 7.0, setting the stage for a nationwide innovation tour designed to discover, nurture and reward some of Nigeria’s brightest entrepreneurial and technological talents.
Scheduled to hold from July 15 to 17, 2026, the University of Uyo Pitch Centre will officially commence the Hackaholics 7.0 national tour, which will span 10 Pitch Centres strategically located across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The initiative provides innovators, entrepreneurs, software developers, startups and technology enthusiasts with a platform to showcase groundbreaking solutions capable of addressing pressing social and economic challenges.
At each Pitch Centre, participants will present their ideas before a panel of judges, with outstanding innovators emerging as regional winners before advancing to the prestigious Grand Finale. Finalists will compete for a share of the N150 million prize pool, one of the largest innovation funding opportunities offered through a bank-led initiative in Nigeria.
With the theme “Powering Possibilities,” Hackaholics 7.0 reflects Wema Bank’s continued commitment to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship and digital transformation across Africa. This year’s edition introduces three distinct participation tracks to accommodate innovators at different stages of development: the Startup Pitch Competition, the Hackathon, and the newly introduced Social Impact Track, which is designed to support solutions that create measurable social value while leveraging technology for sustainable development.
Participants are invited to submit innovative solutions across seven strategic focus areas, including Financial Inclusion, Healthcare, Digital Transformation, Education, Sustainability, Social Impact, and the Future of Work. These sectors have been carefully selected to encourage practical innovations capable of driving economic growth, improving livelihoods and accelerating Nigeria’s digital economy.
Hackaholics has, over the years, evolved into one of Nigeria’s foremost innovation platforms, connecting aspiring entrepreneurs with funding opportunities, mentorship, strategic partnerships and national visibility. Beyond the prize money, participants gain access to valuable networking opportunities, industry experts and investors who can help transform promising ideas into commercially viable businesses.
Participation in Hackaholics 7.0 is completely free and is open to Nigerian youth, founders, startups, developers, innovators and technology enthusiasts with creative solutions aimed at solving real-world challenges.
Interested applicants can register by visiting hackaholics.wemabank.com, clicking “Apply Now,” selecting their preferred participation track, and completing the online application process.
For additional information and updates, participants are encouraged to visit the Hackaholics portal, follow Wema Bank and ALAT by Wema on social media, and join the conversation using the hashtags #HACKAHOLICS7, #WEMAHACKAHOLICS7, and #WEMAPOWERINGPOSSIBILITIES.
