In a continent where digital transformation is fast becoming the new currency of development, Enugu State has once again positioned itself at the forefront of Africa’s innovation revolution. Through the Enugu Campus Hackathon 2025, the state government has launched a bold initiative designed to unlock the creative and entrepreneurial potential of young people across its tertiary institutions.

The Hackathon, a flagship program of the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Digital Economy and MSMEs, in partnership with the Enugu SME Center, is setting a new standard for youth-driven innovation. With active participation across campuses including the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), IMT, Coal City University, UNEC, Godfrey Okoye University, and ESUT, the competition is discovering and nurturing the next wave of Enugu-born tech founders.

At the recently concluded UNN Campus Round, held at the Roar Nigeria Hub, student innovators demonstrated world-class creativity, presenting groundbreaking solutions across education, healthcare, transportation, and financial technology. From HighScore, an AI-powered learning platform tackling exam failure, to Ndụlinka, a digital health connector, and JacMate, an academic assistant powered by artificial intelligence — each presentation underscored Enugu’s emergence as a cradle of innovation.

According to Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, the Enugu Campus Hackathon represents more than a competition — it is a key part of his administration’s mission to build an inclusive digital economy:

“The Enugu Campus Hackathon is not just a program — it is a pipeline. We are building a future where young people don’t just have ideas, but also the tools, mentorship, and capital to build lasting enterprises,” Governor Mbah affirmed.

For Arinze Chilo-Offiah, Special Adviser to the Governor on Digital Economy and MSMEs, the goal goes beyond awarding prizes — it’s about creating sustainable opportunity:

“This is not just about prizes — it’s about building Enugu’s startup economy from the ground up. What we saw at UNN proves that our young people are more than ready. The world should be watching,” he emphasized.

The Hackathon now moves to Café One, Enugu, where the IMT and Coal City University campus rounds will unfold, before proceeding to Attuenyi Coding Academy for the UNEC Round and other institutions. Winners from each campus will advance to the Grand Finale, competing for over US$100,000 in combined support, including funding, mentorship, investor access, and incubation opportunities.

As excitement builds across campuses, one truth is becoming clear — Enugu’s universities are no longer just centers of learning; they have become launchpads of innovation. The Hackathon embodies the vision of a state that believes in its youth, invests in their ideas, and dares to build the future from within.

Follow the journey via @Enugucampushack and all official state communication channels.

Watch the highlight reel here: https://bit.ly/EnuguCampusHackathon-UNNDay1CampusRound