The grand finale of Wema Bank’s flagship innovation platform, Hackaholics 7.0, will take place on Friday, November 6.
With the theme: ‘Festival of the Future,’ the event will bring together innovators, technology leaders, startup founders, investors and other key players for an immersive celebration of ideas, technology and possibilities shaping the future.
The finale will also feature innovation showcases, interactive experiences and conversations exploring how emerging technologies are transforming the way people live, work, build and create.
Designed to go beyond the traditional innovation competition, the ‘Festival of the Future’ will provide a platform for participants and attendees to experience emerging technologies, discover innovative solutions, connect with industry players and engage in conversations about the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly evolving world.
Outstanding innovators, whose ideas have demonstrated the potential to address real-world challenges and create meaningful impact, will equally be recognized and celebrated on the occasion.
Speaking, Wema Bank’s MD/CEO, Moruf Oseni, explained that the concept builds on the bank’s commitment to creating a future of possibilities while encouraging Nigerians to take a more active role in shaping that 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.
Reaffirming Wema Bank’s commitment to supporting innovation and empowering young Nigerians, Oseni noted that Hackaholics has continued to evolve 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.
“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 commenced with a nationwide pitch centre tour designed to discover and support innovative ideas from young Nigerians across different regions of the country.
The four-month tour attracted 5,329 participants and 1,632 innovative ideas and solutions, with pitch centres hosted across seven locations including Uyo, Kano, Yabatech, Benin, Ibadan, Enugu and Lagos.
Through three distinct tracks, the Ideathon, Hackathon and Social Impact, the initiative provided opportunities for students, graduates, technology enthusiasts, developers and social innovators to present solutions addressing challenges across different sectors.
The Ideathon focused on promising ideas, the Hackathon provided a platform for technology developers and builders, while the Social Impact track recognised solutions designed to deliver measurable value to society.
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.
As Hackaholics 7.0 progresses towards its final stage, 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 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.
The journey will culminate on November 6 at the Festival of the Future where top innovators will be recognised and celebrated.
Through Hackaholics, Wema Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to driving innovation, supporting entrepreneurship and creating opportunities for young Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to economic development.