Students from across Nigerian higher institutions of learning displayed their creativity, innovation, and digital prowess at the Hackaholics 3.0 competition—a Wema Bank’s flagship tech hackathon.
Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) undergraduates emerged as the grand winners of the event held at the Hilltop Auditorium, FUTA on February 17, 2022.
The event spotlighted the limitless potential of student innovators shaping Nigeria’s digital future.
More than 770 entries poured in from students and early-stage startups across Nigeria. After rigorous vetting, selected teams advanced to the preliminaries, with top contenders representing institutions like Babcock University, University of Lagos, and FUTA.
The competition culminated in a grand finale at the Wema Bank Training School in Ilupeju, Lagos.
Team Roomme—comprising Ige Shalom Oluwaseun, Otobo Nemi Richard, Abisuwa Oluwadunsin Timothy, Agunbiade Temitope Comfort, and Jumbo Tamarapreye Toluwanimi—stood out with a groundbreaking idea: an AI-powered roommate-matching and housing solution. The digital platform uses user preferences and configurations to efficiently connect individuals to available apartments and compatible roommates—tackling Nigeria’s housing crisis from a tech-first perspective.
The innovation earned Roomme a N2.5 million grant and the title of overall winner. Teams from University of Ilorin (Kodar Tech) and University of Lagos (Ajovest) followed closely, winning N1.5 million and N1 million, respectively.
Hackaholics 3.0, hosted under the pioneering digital brand ALAT by Wema, was more than just a competition—it was a movement. Rooted in the bank’s sustainability mission of providing “Digital Solutions for Societal Impact”, the event focused on harnessing emerging technologies like NFTs, Metaverse, Blockchain, AI, AR/VR, and IoT to solve real-world problems across sectors including finance, health, entertainment, credit & lending, and SMEs, respectively.
Among the prestigious panel of judges was Martins Ejeheri, a seasoned Blockchain Technology Entrepreneur known for equipping over 10,000 African youths with digital skills. Martins brought a wealth of experience to the judging table and was specifically chosen due to his alignment with ALAT’s vision for digital empowerment.
“Martins’ insights were deeply appreciated,” said Solomon Ayodele, Head of Innovation at ALAT.
“His passion for youth development and digital transformation was evident and invaluable to the participants. His presence not only lent credibility but also inspired many of the competitors to think bigger and aim higher.”
Other judges included: Ibifuro Apiafi, Head of Digital Solutions, Smile Identity
Chuba Ezekwesili, Co-founder, Akanka and Future Africa, Joel Ogunsola, CEO of Prunege Technologies,Abimbola Agbejule, Head of Corporate Sustainability, Wema Bank
Beyond the cash prizes, Hackaholics 3.0 provided invaluable exposure, mentorship, and the validation of ideas that could become scalable businesses. FUTA’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joseph Fuwape, praised the students as “worthy ambassadors” whose innovation “contributed to solving real societal problems” and earned them a place in the university’s Hall of Fame.
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