The Enugu Hackathon 2025 has officially taken flight, emerging as one of Nigeria’s boldest multi‑campus innovation initiatives yet. Driven by Enugu State’s progressive SME Centre and spearheaded by Governor Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, this programme is poised to unify six major tertiary institutions in a technology‑powered sprint for transformation. With ₦9 million earmarked for campus rounds and a $10,000 deep‑tech award at stake, the stakes have never been higher, and the brightest minds across Enugu are taking note.
A first‑of‑its‑kind for Enugu State, the Enugu Hackathon blends high‑impact competition with real-world impact: fintech, agritech, edtech, health tech, clean energy, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence are all on the agenda. Students, recent graduates, and young innovators aged 18–35 are called to join forces, ideate solutions, and build functional prototypes—all while gaining access to mentorship, funding, and post‑hackathon incubation support.
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Campus Rounds: ₦9 Million Total
According Enugu hackathon official website, each participating university will host local hackathons to whittle down the field to top teams that will advance to the state final. At each campus:
- 1st prize: ₦750,000
- 2nd prize: ₦500,000
- 3rd prize: ₦250,000
This yields ₦1.5 million per institution, and with six campuses included—including UNN, UNEC, ESUT, Godfrey Okoye University, IMT, and Coal City University—the total campus prize pool hits ₦9 million. These funds aren’t just about winning—they’re about unleashing creativity and jump‑starting projects right where ideas begin: on campus.
Deep‑Tech Award: $5,000
Beyond general campus prizes, a special deep‑tech award—worth at least $5,000—has been introduced. Co‑organised with the African Deep Tech Community, this award rewards the team that applies cutting‑edge technologies like AI, machine learning, blockchain or biotech to real challenges. It’s a direct signal to innovators: dive deeper, go further, and your ingenuity could earn global recognition and funding
Grand Finale: More Than $11,000 in Grants
Winners from campus rounds progress to the Grand Finale, where national visibility and startup support become the real prizes. The top three teams will receive:
- 1st place: $5,000 + post‑incubation support
- 2nd place: $3,500 + post‑incubation support
- 3rd place: $2,500 + post‑incubation support
This $11,000+ finale pool complements the earlier campus prizes and deep‑tech award to make the total cash+grant value exceed $100,000, when mentorship and accelerator backing are included.
Timeline: Application to Finale
Mark your calendars—here’s the full schedule:
- Applications open: Already live
- Deadline for pitch‑deck submissions: July 16, 2025
- Campus hackathons: Beginning August 2, 2025
- State‑wide Grand Finale: September 5, 2025, during the Genesys Ignite Conference 2025.
Finalists will pitch live before an audience of investors, tech leaders, and media, offering exposure that extends well beyond prize money.
Who Should Apply
Eligibility is inclusive but intentional:
- Students (undergraduate or postgraduate)
- Recent graduates (including Pre‑NYSC participants)
- Young innovators based in Enugu, aged 18–35
Applicants don’t need to be enrolled at a university at the moment—they can compete under any of the six designated campuses as long as they fulfil demographic requirements.
Strategy & Impact: Building Enugu’s Tech Ecosystem
At its core, the Enugu Hackathon 2025 is part of a broad digital‑economy strategy led by Governor Mbah. The initiative aligns with official government efforts to position Enugu as a national and, eventually, continental technology hub. Beyond the competition, organisers aim to build a pipeline of entrepreneurs, developers, and startup‑minded youth ready to drive local solutions with national significance.
Partners supporting the event further underline its seriousness: Genesys Tech Hub, The Garage, Capitis Global Ventures, and the Office of Digital Economy. These groups bring mentorship expertise, early-stage funding channels, technical infrastructure and broader ecosystem support.
Beyond Money: Mentors, Networking, Acceleration
Participants can expect more than just prize money. Across both campus rounds and the Grand Finale, they’ll gain access to:
- 1:1 mentorship from technologists, founders, product designers and engineers
- Strategic office hours for refining solutions and pitches
- Internship & accelerator pathways within African tech programs
- Media features, awards ceremonies, branded swag, and certificates to boost profiles.
This comprehensive support model ensures winning teams don’t just walk away with cash, but with forward momentum toward building real startups.
Join the Wave: Apply Now for Enugu Hackathon
If you’re a tech‑minded student or youth in Enugu with a solution-focused idea, the Enugu Hackathon is your opportunity. Apply online at www.enugucampushackathon.ng, or contact the organisers at +234 707 423 9843 / +234 707 830 2813 or via [email protected].
From campus rounds to the state final on September 5, this is more than a contest. It’s a launchpad—for careers, startups, and transformation that begins in Enugu. Be there. Build with purpose. And join the next wave.
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