Wema Bank Unveils Hackaholics 7.0, Introduces Three Tracks and Seven Innovation Verticals

Wema Bank has officially launched the seventh edition of its flagship innovation programme, Hackaholics, introducing three participation tracks, seven innovation verticals and millions of naira in grant prizes for young innovators across Nigeria.

The announcement was made on Wednesday during a press conference held at the bank’s headquarters in Lagos, where the lender unveiled plans for what it described as its biggest edition of the technology and entrepreneurship initiative since its inception in 2019.

Hackaholics was created as a platform to support young Africans with innovative, technology-driven ideas by providing opportunities to transform their concepts into viable businesses. Over the past seven years, the programme has evolved into one of Nigeria’s leading innovation platforms, supporting more than 10,000 startups, engaging over 50,000 participants and facilitating the development of more than 100 technology solutions from the ground up. According to the bank, the initiative has also disbursed about $500 million in grant funding to winners across its previous six editions.

The 2026 edition, themed “Powering Possibilities,” opens with a nationwide call for applications targeting innovators developing solutions in seven priority sectors: Financial Inclusion, Healthcare, Digital Transformation, Education, Sustainability, Social Impact and the Future of Work.

Applicants are expected to register through the Hackaholics portal under one of three categories—the Startup Pitch Competition, the Hackathon, or the newly introduced Social Impact Track.

Following the application phase, the programme will embark on a nationwide innovation tour covering 10 pitch centres spread across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Successful participants from each regional hub will advance to the grand finale, where the overall winners of Hackaholics 7.0 will emerge.

Speaking at the launch, Wema Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Moruf Oseni, said the initiative reflects the institution’s long-standing commitment to nurturing innovation and creating opportunities for young people.

According to him, “At Wema Bank, we believe that institutions have a responsibility that extends beyond providing commercial services. We have a responsibility to create meaningful opportunities, provide the right resources, enable innovation to thrive, and support the ecosystems that will shape today’s youth as well as tomorrow’s economy. This sense of responsibility is what has driven the evolution of Hackaholics from inception till date. With Hackaholics, we have, and we are investing in the next generation of innovators, inspiring innovation that will impact lives, strengthening Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem and giving youth a platform to make meaningful use of their creativity; and the numbers continue to speak volumes.”

Also speaking, the bank’s Divisional Executive for Business Support, Tajudeen Bakare, encouraged young Nigerians with innovative ideas to seize the opportunity provided by the programme.

He said, “As we launch Hackaholics 7.0 today, we are opening up a new phase of opportunities for more Nigerian youth to challenge themselves, explore their creativity and become startup founders. I encourage every young Nigerian with a passion for innovation to leverage the opportunity that we have carefully curated through Hackaholics and get ahead of the curve in today’s dynamic work landscape. Together, we can continue to build an ecosystem where innovation flourishes, opportunities expand, and young people are empowered to create solutions that shape the future.”

Participation in Hackaholics 7.0 is free, with the programme open to Nigerian youths developing innovative technology solutions. Interested applicants can submit their entries through the Hackaholics application portal, while updates throughout the competition will be published on Wema Bank’s website and official social media channels.