Wema Bank picks 6 November for Hackaholics 7.0 grand finale

Wema Bank has fixed Friday, 6 November 2026, for the grand finale of Hackaholics 7.0, its yearly search for young Nigerian innovators. The bank said the four-month hunt drew 5,329 participants who submitted 1,632 ideas.

The closing event, tagged “Festival of the Future,” will gather tech leaders, startup founders and investors to see what the young builders have come up with. The bank says the aim is to back ideas that can solve everyday problems.

Hackaholics 7.0 opened on 1 July 2026 under the theme “Powering Possibilities.” A pitch tour then covered seven locations: Uyo, Kano, Yaba College of Technology, Benin, Ibadan, Enugu and Lagos.

Entries were grouped into three tracks. Ideathon was for early ideas, Hackathon for developers and builders, and Social Impact for solutions meant to deliver measurable good to society.

How the finalists will be picked

Fifty-nine people came out of the pitch centres. That list will be trimmed to 20 finalists, who will present improved versions of their solutions at a pre-pitch event on 4 November.

The next day, 5 November, the finalists will go on an ecosystem tour arranged by the bank. They will visit leading technology and innovation institutions and meet people working in the field ahead of the finale.

Wema Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Moruf Oseni, said the world is changing fast and artificial intelligence is reshaping industries and daily life. He said the real question now is how ready people are to shape what comes next.

Oseni said Hackaholics has grown past a contest into a way of finding talent, growing ideas and linking young people to opportunities. He said the bank wants Nigerians’ creativity to drive innovation in the country.

What happens next

The 20 finalists present on 4 November, tour tech institutions on 5 November, and outstanding innovators will be recognised at the Festival of the Future on 6 November.