Wema Bank, Nigeria’s most innovative bank and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has continued to deepen its commitment to youth innovation and entrepreneurship with Hackaholics 6.0, its flagship campus ideathon. This year, the Hackaholics train has toured four Nigeria cities from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, to the University of Ibadan (UI) and Purple Academy, Lagos, bringing together some of the brightest young minds in Sub-Saharan Africa to create transformative solutions to real-world problems.

With over 3,000 entries submitted so far, at each location, hundreds of students and young entrepreneurs gathered to receive industry-led masterclasses, and develop ideas aimed at solving challenges in the ecosystem. For four days in each location, participants were immersed in the full Hackaholics experience, from ideation to mentorship to pitch readiness, culminating in high-energy final pitches where the best ideas emerged. In every location, three Ideathon winning teams; including one women-led group and two Hackathon teams walked away with invitations to compete at the Hackaholics 6.0 Grand Finale. These teams now stand a chance to scale their solutions with the backing of Wema Bank’s innovation ecosystem.

Speaking on the initiative, MD/CEO Wema Bank, Plc, Moruf Oseni, said, “Hackaholics has always been about more than technology. It is about empowering young people to think differently, create boldly, and contribute solutions that can move our industry and nation forward. The level of talent and creativity we have witnessed so far further reinforces why we continue to invest in this programme. The innovative ideas and solutions coming out of the participants have the power to shape the future of financial services and beyond, and we are excited to see them come to life.”

Since its launch in 2019, Hackaholics has grown into a cornerstone of youth engagement and innovation in Nigeria. With over 12,000 applicants from 15 schools, and a total of over $300,000 disbursed in funding, including ₦75 million awarded to women-led teams between 2023 and 2024, the program has consistently delivered on its mission to create a vibrant ecosystem where students, innovators, and early-stage founders can collaborate, learn, and grow while building long-term relationships with Wema Bank.

As the Hackaholics 6.0 train continues its journey to more cities before the Grand Finale, Wema Bank remains committed to empowering the next generation of Nigerian innovators. Students and young entrepreneurs are encouraged to visit https://hackaholics.wemabank.com/ for more information on how to participate and submit their entries.

The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, has said that the ongoing 2025 Lagos International Climate Change Summit provides an opportunity for participants to rethink their relationship with the ocean, viewing it not as a resource to be exploited but as “a living system to be nurtured.”

The summit, which is being held at the Lagos Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, focuses on the theme, “Blue Economy, Green Money: Financing Africa’s Coastal Resilience and Ocean Innovation.”

Speaking at the event, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said Lagos State was set to take a “deep plunge” into its aquatic wealth, with plans to harness the full potential of its marine and coastal ecosystems.

Sanwo-Olu noted that the new focus of the state government was to unlock the many opportunities within the Blue Economy by developing sustainable financing models and innovative solutions that would protect the oceans, strengthen the coasts, and create prosperity for future generations.

According to him, the time had come for Lagos “to turn its blue waters into green wealth” through strategic investments that would build the economy of the future.

He explained that the state’s efforts to create a new ocean-driven economy were anchored on three interconnected pillars — resilience, innovation, and financing. “We are driving ocean innovation to reimagine commerce and mobility. And we are unlocking green and blue finance to power both. Lagos does not wait for the future; Lagos builds it. And this future is sustainable, inclusive and ocean-powered,” he said.

The Governor further noted that the state’s approach to harnessing its aquatic ecosystem aimed to build coastal resilience to protect lives and livelihoods. He added that the initiative was also a “renewed call to global investors,” stressing that “investing in Lagos’ resilience is not philanthropy; it is smart economics that will be seen as an investment in the stability of Africa’s most dynamic economy and the security of the continent’s coastal future.”

The two-day summit brought together a broad mix of stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, including innovators, financiers, policymakers, and environmental advocates.

Sanwo-Olu observed that although Lagos’ Atlantic coastline had long been used for recreation and tourism, limited attention had been given to the economic value embedded in its aquatic resources. He said the summit was designed not only to strengthen adaptation measures for environmental protection but also to provide a platform for innovators and investors to develop sustainable business models that would safeguard the natural ecosystem.

The Governor added that through the summit, Lagos was leading Africa’s drive toward a greener, more sustainable economy. He noted that the state’s policies had shown that “development and decarbonisation can be achieved together.”

“The blue economy is not just an economic concept; it is a lifeline for the planet. The green transition is not an obligation; it is an opportunity to rebuild better. We must seize this moment to finance the tides of resilience, to turn our blue waters into green wealth, and to leave behind not just a livable Lagos, but a thrivable one,” Sanwo-Olu said.

In his remarks, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab emphasised that despite the growing climate threats, Lagos’ ocean remained a vital artery for commerce and a source of livelihood for millions of people.

“The Blue Economy represents more than just water-based industries; it embodies a new frontier for sustainable prosperity. This summit also provides an opportunity to bridge a crucial gap between visionary climate action and the sustainable financing needed to make it a reality,” Wahab said.

He reiterated that Lagos was committed to tangible actions in pursuit of its environmental vision. “Our mission is clear: it is to unlock the capital that will help us build resilience, drive innovation, and protect our coastal future. Lagos isn’t just talking about this vision; we are taking concrete steps to bring it to life,” he added.

Also speaking, Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the development of the nation’s marine sector.

Oyetola, represented by the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, said several reforms had been implemented to improve maritime governance and promote environmental sustainability.

He said, “Lagos State is key to achieving this vision, with ongoing roadmaps focused on marine conservation, innovation and sustainable use of ocean resources.”

The Minister added that the Federal Government would continue to collaborate with stakeholders in both the public and private sectors to unlock Nigeria’s maritime potential, strengthen security at sea, and ensure long-term benefits for the economy and coastal communities.

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to welcome both local and foreign investors, assuring that the country remains open for business partnerships and innovation.

Speaking at the 39th edition of the Lagos International Trade Fair organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Friday, Tinubu, represented by the Minister of State for Industry, John Enoh, said Nigeria’s doors were open to investors seeking opportunities in Africa’s largest economy.

The fair, which runs from November 7 to 16, is showcasing the best of Nigerian entrepreneurship, creativity, and global economic partnerships.

Tinubu stated that the government was restructuring policies to promote stability and transparency in the business environment. He emphasised that Nigeria was committed to “stable policies instead of sudden reversals,” honouring contracts, and providing “transparent incentives for manufacturers, exporters, and small businesses.”

The President also assured participants of ongoing reforms, including digitised ports, one-stop shops for business permits, smarter taxation, and faster dispute resolution to enhance ease of doing business.

Highlighting Nigeria’s economic potential, Tinubu said the country was not only a “market of over 200 million people,” but also a nation of “ideas, youthful brilliance, and limitless potential waiting to be scaled up.”

He described the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as “the most ambitious economic project in modern Africa,” noting that it would create a market of 1.4 billion people with a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion. According to him, “Nigeria must not only participate in it, but must lead it.”

Tinubu further said, “This fair provides the partnerships, conversations, and networks that will take Nigerian products, from textiles to technology, cocoa to creative arts, to every corner of the continent and beyond. As you network, trade, and showcase your work, remember that every product made in Nigeria is a statement of confidence and every partnership formed here is a step towards shared prosperity.”

In his address, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs Folasade Ambrose-Medebem, said the fair’s theme, “Connecting Business, Creating Value,” reflected the spirit of Lagos — a “dynamic hub where vision meets value, and enterprise meets opportunity.”

Sanwo-Olu said investing in Lagos was equivalent to investing in a city of over 23 million people — a market filled with “dreamers and doers,” driven by youth, technology, and innovation.

He noted that the state government was committed to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, with deliberate efforts to strengthen trade and commerce through streamlined investment procedures, efficient land and trade documentation, and improved access to data for investors.

According to the governor, his administration’s focus includes supporting MSMEs, cooperatives, and inclusive growth. He added that one of its key priorities was “innovative financing,” which provides new ways for businesses to access funds and reach new markets.

“We are also working to deepen the reach of our trade facilitation efforts, which connect Lagos-based businesses to regional and international buyers. At the fair each year, new partnerships are born, partnerships that lead to new factories, export deals, and job opportunities. This is the power of connection. This is the value of Lagos. To our exhibitors and visitors: Lagos is open. Engage, connect, explore, and build. Whether you are here from Ghana or Germany, Japan or Jos, know that Lagos is your home for commerce,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Also speaking, LCCI President Gabriel Idahosa described the fair as “an incubator of ideas and a catalyst for commerce,” providing enterprises with the opportunity to “showcase resilience-driven solutions, explore synergies, and drive sustainable growth.”

Idahosa commended both federal and state governments for their participation, saying it demonstrated their commitment to empowering the private sector to produce for local consumption and export.

He urged Nigerian entrepreneurs to take advantage of the fair to establish distributorships, sign trade agreements, and build partnerships that would strengthen their value chains and diversify their products.