Wema Bank Sets November 6 for Hackaholics 7.0 Grand Finale
Wema Bank has announced November 6, 2026, as the date for the grand finale of Hackaholics 7.0, its flagship innovation platform. The event will be held under the theme “Festival of the Future.”
The finale is expected to bring together innovators, technology leaders, startup founders, investors and other members of Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem for a programme focused on ideas, technology and the forces shaping the future.
Alongside the announcement of this year’s finalists, the event will feature innovation showcases, interactive experiences and discussions on how emerging technologies are changing how people live, work, build and create. It will also recognise innovators whose ideas show potential to address real-world challenges.
Wema Bank’s MD/CEO, Moruf Oseni, said the event’s theme reflects the Bank’s commitment to opening up possibilities and encouraging Nigerians to help shape 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.
“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,” he said.
Oseni said Hackaholics has developed beyond a competition into a platform for identifying talent, supporting 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.
“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.
Launched on July 1, 2026, under the theme “Powering Possibilities,” Hackaholics 7.0 began with a nationwide pitch-centre tour to discover and support ideas from young Nigerians.
The four-month tour attracted 5,329 participants and generated 1,632 ideas and solutions. Pitch centres were held in seven locations: Uyo, Kano, Yabatech, Benin, Ibadan, Enugu and Lagos.
The programme featured three tracks: Ideathon, Hackathon and Social Impact. The Ideathon focused on developing promising ideas, while the Hackathon gave technology developers and builders a platform to present their work. The Social Impact track recognised solutions designed to deliver measurable value to society.
A total of 59 participants emerged from the pitch centres. They will be shortlisted to 20 finalists, who are scheduled to present refined solutions at the Pre-Pitch on November 4, 2026.
On November 5, participants will take part in an Ecosystem Tour powered by Wema Bank, visiting institutions in the technology and innovation sector and meeting industry professionals ahead of the finale.
The programme will conclude on November 6 at the Festival of the Future, where the top innovators will be recognised.
Through Hackaholics, Wema Bank continues to support innovation and entrepreneurship while creating opportunities for young Nigerians to contribute to economic development.
