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Wema Bank Unveils ₦120 Million Prizes for Hackaholics 6.0 Finale

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Wema Bank unveils ₦120M prize pool for Hackaholics 6.0 Grand Finale, supporting youth innovation, women-led projects, and transformative startups

Wema Bank, Nigeria’s pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has announced a ₦120 million prize pool for the Hackaholics 6.0 Grand Finale, the bank’s flagship youth innovation competition.

Also read: Wema Bank wins big again, setting new Bankers Games record

The announcement follows regional pitch sessions that saw 1,460 participants across seven cities, producing 35 finalist teams. The prize structure includes ₦25 million for the first-place Ideathon winner, ₦20 million for the runner-up, and ₦15 million for the second runner-up.

Hackathon prizes range from ₦20 million for first place to ₦5 million for fourth place. In addition, two women-led teams, one from each category, will each receive ₦5 million in recognition of female innovation.

MD/CEO of Wema Bank, Moruf Oseni, said, “Hackaholics continues to demonstrate the power of young people to shape the future of technology and nation-building.

Our investment reflects our commitment to giving them resources, mentorship, and a platform to transform ideas into real-world solutions.”

The 35 finalists emerged from eight pitch centres, including Ahmadu Bello University (ABU Zaria), Lagos State University (LASU), University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Babcock University, University of Ibadan (UI), Veritas University Abuja, and Purple Academy Lagos. Students received masterclasses, hands-on mentorship, and structured pitch development before competing before expert judges.

Finalists include 17 Ideathon teams, 12 Hackathon teams, and six women-led teams tackling challenges across fraud detection, customer experience, onboarding, credit management, and social impact solutions. All teams will participate in a three-day pre-finale mentorship programme ahead of the Lagos Grand Finale.

Medugu Wali, leader of Veritas University’s Hackathon-winning team, Tensor, said, “We built ‘Wallet Padi’ because it can genuinely improve how Nigerians manage their money.

Advancing to the pre-finale is a big step toward realising that vision, and we appreciate Wema Bank for creating this platform.”

Babcock University Ideathon winner Akobundu Gift and Veritas University women-led project winner Ogunlana Tosin praised the competition for its role in refining their ideas and promoting women-led innovation.

Since 2019, Hackaholics has attracted over 12,000 applicants across 15 schools, distributing more than $300,000 in funding. Between 2023 and 2024, ₦75 million was awarded to women-led teams. With the Hackaholics Accelerator and Collective Program launched earlier this year, Wema Bank continues to support early-stage founders beyond the competition cycle.

Also read: Wema Bank Rolls Out Rewarding Deals for Fashion Souk 2025

The Hackaholics 6.0 Grand Finale will bring together investors, policymakers, industry leaders, and technology experts in Lagos for live pitches, product showcases, and the unveiling of Nigeria’s next generation of transformative founders.

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Wema Bank Opens Final Window for One-Day MD/CEO Challenge Ahead of Children’s Day

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Wema Bank Children’s Day entries close on May 20 as the bank invites children to compete for a one-day MD/CEO experience

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XM Future Music Group Investment Platform Allegedly Collapses, Users Lose Funds

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Nigerian investment platform XM Future Music Group collapses amid concerns leaves users unable to withdraw funds amid concerns over suspected Ponzi scheme promising high returns

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Kola Karim’s Shoreline Group Signs $300 million Deal With Accor to Develop Nigeria’s First National Hotel Platform

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Kola Karim’s Shoreline Group has signed a letter of intent with Accor, a world leading hospitality group to establish Nigeria’s first national hotel platform.

The signing took place during the Africa Forward Summit 2026 hosted jointly by Kenya and France in Nairobi.

This ambitious partnership is set to make a significant contribution to the evolving Nigerian hospitality landscape with a substantial investment from Shoreline of $300 million, leveraging Accor’s renowned brand portfolio and expertise.

As gathered the strategic collaboration aims to develop a hotel network across Nigeria, encompassing 10 hotels across eight cities and over 1,200 rooms by 2030.

These properties will span various segments, from midscale to luxury, catering to diverse travelers and contributing significantly to the nation’s tourism growth. The project also includes the establishment of a dedicated hospitality training Academy to nurture local talent and create approximately 1,000 direct jobs.

Mr. Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Accor, stated: “We are thrilled to partner with Shoreline Group to unlock the immense potential of Nigeria’s hospitality sector. This partnership is a testament to our belief in Nigeria’s dynamic future.

“By combining Shoreline’s deep understanding of the local market with Accor’s global expertise and diverse brand portfolio, we are poised to create an unparalleled hospitality offering that will set new benchmarks for quality and service.

“Crucially, the establishment of the Accor Academy is integral to this vision, enabling us to deliver immediate talent development for the Shoreline hotel portfolio, demonstrate our long-term commitment to Nigeria through dedicated training facilities, and solidify Accor’s position as the employer and educator of choice in West Africa.”

The Agbaoye of Ibadanland and  Chairman of Shoreline Group, Karim,  commenting on the development said: “This partnership is central to Shoreline’s strategy of building institutional-quality infrastructure platforms across Africa.

“We anticipate hospitality infrastructure becoming increasingly vital for capital movement and development, particularly in Nigeria where high-quality room supply is underserved. Our choice to partner with Accor highlights our focus on operational excellence and long-term value.

“The hospitality academy is crucial, alongside physical hotels, for developing local talent to sustain international standards. It will support our portfolio and enhance Nigeria’s hospitality workforce.

“This investment aligns with Shoreline’s broader focus on strategic assets in energy, infrastructure, and industrial development. We view hospitality as a natural extension: real infrastructure supporting economic activity, local capability, and national growth.”

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