Get Guardian on GoogleWema Bank has unveiled 21 finalists for the seventh edition of its Hackaholics innovation programme, who will compete at the grand finale scheduled for Friday, November 6, 2026, in Lagos.
The grand finale, themed Festival of the Future, is expected to bring together innovators, technology leaders, startup founders, investors and other stakeholders in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem to showcase emerging ideas, technological solutions and opportunities shaping the future.
The 21 finalists are Dynalimb, Harthiq, Acceede, Vhorde, URI, Trarrk, SocialSign, RaverPay, All-Arbitrates, CitizensGage, Craft-Planet, FOID, PayByPalm, Niteonn, Nexa-AI, Neural-Forge, MamaAlert, JolliFlow, Becca, CropiQ and Middleman.
Hackaholics is Wema Bank’s youth and startup-focused initiative designed to provide young innovators with a platform to develop technology-driven ideas into practical solutions to real-world challenges while positioning them to compete in the global technology and digital economy.
Since its launch in 2019, the initiative has attracted more than 21,000 applicants, engaged over 50,000 participants, supported more than 10,000 startups across three countries and facilitated the development of over 100 solutions from scratch.
The seventh edition, which commenced on July 1, 2026, attracted 5,329 participants and generated 1,632 innovative ideas and solutions across seven pitch centres in Uyo, Kano, YabaTech, Benin, Ibadan, Enugu and Lagos.
Following the nationwide programme, 59 participants emerged from the different centres, while 21 finalists were selected through a multi-stage evaluation process to compete at the grand finale.
Activities for the grand finale will begin on Wednesday, November 4, with a Pre-Pitch session, where the finalists will present refined versions of their solutions.
The programme will continue on Thursday, November 5, with an Ecosystem Tour powered by Wema Bank. The tour will provide participants with opportunities to visit leading institutions in the technology and innovation ecosystem, interact with industry professionals and gain practical insights ahead of the final competition.
The three-day programme will culminate in the grand finale on Friday, November 6, where outstanding innovators will be recognised for their solutions.
Through Hackaholics, Wema Bank said it remained committed to advancing Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem by identifying emerging talent, creating opportunities for young innovators and supporting the development of solutions to real-world challenges.
The initiative also underscores the bank’s efforts to empower the next generation of innovators and foster an ecosystem where technology-driven ideas can be developed into practical solutions.
