American firm launches hackathon for Nigerian innovators, tech experts

A United States-based firm, Amborion Consulting LLC, has launched a virtual Hackathon, Innov8 Hackathon 2025, to foster innovation and provide a platform for young Nigerian technology professionals to develop solutions to real-world challenges.

The programme, which will be held from February 27 to March 15, is to encourage creativity and technological advancement, by providing Nigerian technology and artificial intelligence (AI) enthusiasts, as well as mid-level IT professionals, and software developers, among others with the opportunity to collaborate, innovate, and create impactful digital solutions.

According to the organisers, the participants would be grouped into teams of three to five members, and each team will identify a pressing problem and develop IT-driven solutions within the competition period in various areas of focus, including climate change, data analysis, agriculture, stock management, and other technological fields.

The event promises enticing rewards for top-performing teams, including cash rewards, certificates, and opportunities for mentorship with industry professionals, among others.

A panel of distinguished Nigerian judges and adjudicators, residing in different parts of the world, would oversee the competition.

Some of them include a Senior Programme Manager at Amazon USA, Akinyemi Iledare; a Business Manager at American Airlines, Itunu Taiwo; risk and financial advisor, Erhiga Ighomuaye; a business intelligence expert, Ere Iriakuma; an IT and data expert, Effiom Solomon Effiom; a data and business intelligence analyst, Sumit Gupta, and the Chief Executive of Amborion Consulting LLC, USA, Dr Joshua Oyeniyi.

The judging criteria will include creativity, technical complexity, usability, and the potential impact of each solution.

Oyeniyi, a senior business consultant and corporate strategist at Amborion Consulting LLC, New York, United States, said the overarching vision of the hackathon was to empower innovative minds to transform ideas into impactful solutions, fostering a collaborative ecosystem where technology and creativity converge to address real-world challenges.

“Our mission is to host an inspiring hackathon that brings together diverse talents to collaborate, innovate, and create tangible solutions. We aim to provide participants with the resources, mentorship, and platform necessary to turn their ideas into reality while promoting learning, networking, and community engagement in the tech space,” he said.