The Federal Government has unveiled an ambitious digital innovation programme aimed at mentoring and equipping at least 50,000 young Nigerians with cutting-edge technology skills, in partnership with telecommunications giant, Ericsson.
The initiative, tagged Connect NextGen Innovation Hackathon, was launched at the State House in Abuja as a four-month nationwide programme designed to nurture innovation, enterprise development and scalable digital solutions.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, described the hackathon as a strategic move to reposition Nigeria from a consumer of foreign technologies to a global exporter of home-grown digital solutions.
According to him, the programme will begin with open applications and large-scale mentorship, drawing participants from universities, startups and tech hubs across the country. About 50,000 young innovators are expected to take part in the initial phase.
The registration portal opened on Wednesday and will close on March 10, 2026.
From the pool of applicants, 50 high-potential teams will be shortlisted for intensive technical mentorship and product development support.
The number will then be narrowed to 10 finalists who will receive incubation and acceleration backing to refine their innovations for market readiness.
Shettima said the eventual winners would be groomed as industry leaders capable of building solutions that can compete in both local and global markets.
“A brilliant line of code written in Nigeria can power systems anywhere in the world,” the Vice President said, stressing that Nigeria’s youthful population remains a key asset in the global digital economy.
He added that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s economic agenda, particularly in the areas of job creation and youth empowerment, noting that employment opportunities in the 21st century are increasingly tied to digital capability.
The programme will expose participants to emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoT), and sustainable technologies, with the goal of strengthening Nigeria’s technology-driven workforce.
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, described the hackathon as part of the government’s deliberate shift towards knowledge-based economic growth.
He said such platforms help transform ideas into commercially viable solutions while sharpening problem-solving skills.
Ericsson’s Country Manager in Nigeria, Mr. Peter Olusoji Ogundele, reaffirmed the company’s long-term commitment to Nigeria’s digital transformation, stating that sustained investment in infrastructure and skills transfer would position the country as a global exporter of digital talent.
Development partners also expressed support for the initiative. Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Massimo De Luca, highlighted digital skills development and public-private partnerships as vital to inclusive growth and long-term resilience.
Sweden’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Anna Westerholm, described the programme as a model of international collaboration focused on youth empowerment and innovation.
Earlier, Special Assistant to the President on Project Support, Shuhdah Ahmed, said the collaboration between the Office of the Vice President and Ericsson aims to bridge the gap between education and industry through structured mentorship and practical learning.
Similarly, the Special Assistant to the President on ICT Policy, Dr. Salihu Ibrahim Dasuki, noted that the initiative is structured to deliver measurable outcomes, with active participation from universities, startups and innovation ecosystems nationwide.
Stakeholders at the launch said the Connect NextGen Innovation Hackathon represents more than a competition, but a coordinated national drive to convert policy into productivity, nurture indigenous digital solutions and boost Nigeria’s standing in the global knowledge economy.
