Wema Bank Sets November 6 for Hackaholics 7.0 Grand Finale
Themed “Festival of the Future,” the event will bring together innovators, technology leaders, startup founders and investors to celebrate innovation and emerging technologies.
By The People’s Voice Nigeria | News
Wema Bank has announced November 6, 2026, as the date for the grand finale of Hackaholics 7.0, its flagship innovation programme, which will culminate in a celebration of technology, creativity and future possibilities under the theme “Festival of the Future.”
The event is expected to bring together innovators, technology leaders, startup founders, investors and other key stakeholders in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem to explore emerging technologies and their potential to transform businesses, industries and everyday life.
Beyond the announcement and recognition of this year’s outstanding finalists, the grand finale will feature innovation showcases, interactive experiences and discussions on how emerging technologies are shaping the future.
According to the bank, the Festival of the Future is designed to go beyond a conventional innovation competition by providing a platform for participants and attendees to experience emerging technologies, discover innovative solutions and connect with key players in the technology ecosystem.
The event will also recognise innovators whose ideas demonstrate the potential to address real-world challenges and deliver meaningful social and economic impact.
Wema Bank Explains Vision Behind Festival of the Future
Speaking on the significance of the grand finale, Wema Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Moruf Oseni, said the initiative reflects the bank’s commitment to creating opportunities and encouraging Nigerians to play an active role 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 conceived to bring innovation closer to the public, encourage meaningful conversations and inspire people to rethink how they will live, work, build and create in the years ahead.
Oseni also reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting young Nigerian innovators through Hackaholics, noting that the programme has evolved beyond a competition into a platform for discovering talent, nurturing ideas and connecting innovators with opportunities.
“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.
He added that Hackaholics 7.0 would further strengthen the innovation ecosystem by bringing together people, ideas and experiences capable of inspiring the next generation of solutions.
Hackaholics 7.0 Attracts 5,329 Participants Nationwide
Launched on July 1, 2026, under the theme “Powering Possibilities,” Hackaholics 7.0 began with a nationwide pitch centre tour aimed at identifying and supporting innovative ideas from young Nigerians across different regions.
The four-month programme attracted 5,329 participants who presented a total of 1,632 innovative ideas and solutions.
Pitch centres were hosted in seven locations: Uyo, Kano, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Benin, Ibadan, Enugu and Lagos.
The programme featured three tracks: Ideathon, Hackathon and Social Impact.
While the Ideathon focused on promising ideas, the Hackathon provided a platform for technology developers and builders to showcase their solutions. The Social Impact track, meanwhile, recognised initiatives designed to deliver measurable benefits to society.
The initiative opened opportunities for students, graduates, technology enthusiasts, developers and social innovators to present solutions addressing challenges across different sectors.
At the conclusion of the nationwide tour, 59 participants emerged from the various pitch centres, reflecting the diversity of ideas and talent identified through the programme.
20 Innovators to Advance to Pre-Pitch
As the programme approaches its final stage, the 59 participants will be further shortlisted to 20 finalists, who are scheduled to present refined versions of their solutions at the Pre-Pitch event on November 4, 2026.
On November 5, participants will embark on an Ecosystem Tour powered by Wema Bank. The tour will provide opportunities to visit leading institutions within the technology and innovation ecosystem, interact with industry professionals and gain practical insights ahead of the grand finale.
The programme will culminate on November 6 at the Festival of the Future, where outstanding innovators will be recognised and celebrated.
Through Hackaholics, Wema Bank continues to position itself as a supporter of innovation, entrepreneurship and youth empowerment, providing young Nigerians with opportunities to develop practical solutions and contribute to economic development.
The grand finale is expected to highlight the growing role of technology and innovation in addressing societal challenges and creating new opportunities for Nigeria’s next generation of entrepreneurs and problem-solvers.
By The People’s Voice Nigeria
