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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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Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc Evolves into Holding Company Structure to Align with Decentralized Regulatory Framework – Announces Strategic Appointments

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Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC) has announced its transition into a Holding Company (HOLDCO) structure, a strategic move designed to strengthen the company’s ability to operate effectively within Nigeria’s evolving electricity market and newly decentralized regulatory environment.

This move follows the enactment of the Electricity Act of 2023, empowering State Governments to establish independent electricity markets and regulatory commissions.

In response to this regulatory shift, AEDC has realigned its corporate structure to enhance operational agility, improve governance, and support efficient service delivery across its franchise areas.

As part of this transformation, AEDC has incorporated two new subsidiary companies; the Niger Electricity Distribution Company and the Kogi Electricity Distribution Company. These entities will operate under the Niger State Electricity Regulatory Commission (NSERC) and the Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC), respectively, while remaining integral members of the AEDC Group.

Key executive appointments have been made, including Engr. Sam Odekina as Chief Business Officer and Acting Managing Director of Niger Electricity Distribution Company, and Mr. Desmond Eboh as Chief Business Officer and Acting Managing Director of Kogi Electricity Distribution Company. Plans are underway to commence operations in Nasarawa State, with the transition process expected to begin soon.

AEDC’s Managing Director/CEO, Engr. Chijioke Okwuokenye stated that the HOLDCO structure positions the company to respond to state-specific regulatory requirements while preserving the Group’s unified identity, shared values, and commitment to operational excellence and customer service. All subsidiaries will operate as one integrated AEDC family, with uniform Conditions of Service for employees, ensuring workforce stability and fairness.

“The Holdco structure aligns perfectly with our goal to enhance operational efficiency and adapt to Nigeria’s evolving energy landscape while exploring new opportunities , drive growth and contribute to Nigeria’s energy sector development,” Chijioke said.

We are committed to maintaining our high standards of service, innovation and customer focus, even as we evolve into a new structure,” he further said.

AEDC reaffirms its commitment to supporting sustainable, state-regulated electricity markets and setting benchmarks for efficiency, reliability, and customer experience. The company serves the Federal Capital Territory and parts of Niger, Kogi, and Nasarawa States, and remains dedicated to powering economic growth and improving quality of life.

AEDC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the development of sustainable, state-regulated electricity markets and to setting a benchmark for efficiency, reliability, and customer experience across its operations.

AEDC further noted that the recently executed Conditions of Service apply uniformly to all employees across the parent company and its subsidiaries, underscoring the Group’s commitment to workforce stability, fairness, and alignment during the transition.

Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc distributes electricity to the Federal Capital Territory and parts of Niger, Kogi, and Nasarawa States, serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers, and remains committed to powering economic growth and improving quality of life across its franchise areas.

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Double Honours for ‘Gas King’ Julius Rone

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Chief Executive Officer of UTM Offshore, Julius Rone, has kickstarted the year 2026 on a high note as he has won two significant awards, New Telegraph Personality of the Year 2025 and The Sun Newspaper’s Investor of the Year thereby cementing his status as a transformative force in Nigeria’s energy landscape.
Dubbed the “Gas King,” Rone’s recognition stems from his leadership of Nigeria’s inaugural Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) project, a groundbreaking initiative set to reshape the nation’s position in global energy markets.
The energy tycoon possesses an unrivalled genius and profound understanding of investment is consistently making headlines and staying ahead of his peers while his remarkable qualities have set him far apart from ordinary business magnates across the continent.

His presence in the gas sector has been a dominating force, leaving an ineffaceable mark wherever he ventures and positioning himself at the pinnacle of Nigeria’s gas industry.

He has a rich and diverse entrepreneurial journey that has helped shape the business sector in Africa. His path to success includes a series of ventures that have significantly contributed to the region’s business growth.

The UTM Offshore FLNG facility is designed to deliver 1.5 million tonnes of LNG for export and 300,000 tonnes of LPG for domestic use annually. This venture, backed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as part of the Renewed Hope agenda, represents a significant advancement in Nigeria’s gas monetization strategy.
Rone’s professional journey spans influential roles at OMPADEC and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) before assuming leadership of the UTM Group of Companies in 2008. His approach combines operational excellence with environmental stewardship, engaging international partners including JGC Holdings, Technip Energies, and KBR while conducting rigorous environmental assessments.
The double awards have further solidified Rone’s status as an outstanding businessman that stands out among Africa’s elite. His exceptional intuition, unmatched business acumen, and ability to identify opportunities where others see failure have propelled him to the forefront.

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Zichis Agro-Allied to List N1.09bn Shares on NGX

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Zichis Agro-Allied

Zichis Agro-Allied Industries plans to list N1.09bn shares on NGX growth board, promising transparency and strong investor returns

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