Stakeholders and technology experts, and enthusiasts alike across Nigeria gathered in Lagos over the weekend to explore innovative ways technology can be leveraged to address real-world challenges in healthcare, agriculture, and other critical sectors. The event aimed to inspire groundbreaking solutions while fostering exceptional young talents in the country’s tech industry.
The Hackathon, organised by Cavista Technologies, a global software engineering and development firm, provided a platform for students from various universities and polytechnics to collaborate in teams, focusing on enhancing service delivery through integrated technology-driven solutions. The theme for this year’s event is ‘Smart Automation: Enhancing Care through Integrated Systems’.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Youth Development, Hon. Ayodele Olawande, emphasised the importance of the Hackathon in shaping a technology-driven future for Nigeria. He highlighted the role of automation in fostering an efficient society and reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to creating an ecosystem that supports technological advancements and entrepreneurial initiatives to drive national transformation.
“The Hackathon is both timely and essential, as it directly impacts the landscape of innovation, technology, and youth-driven solutions. Technology is playing a crucial role in every sector, including security, and this initiative aligns with the nation’s developmental goals,” Olawande stated.
He further stressed that automation is a key driver in enhancing service quality and presents immense opportunities for young innovators to utilise smart technology to improve the lives of Nigerians.
The Minister also disclosed that the Ministry of Youth Development is actively collaborating with private organisations like Cavista to equip young Nigerians with vital skills, turning them into job creators rather than job seekers. He revealed plans to launch the Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA), an empowerment program designed as a knowledge-sharing and networking hub for young Nigerians to build a prosperous future.
“The Federal Government is committed to empowering youths through various initiatives, including the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program, which focuses on developing an automated ecosystem. The upcoming Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA) will further strengthen these efforts,” he added.
Olawande affirmed that all ongoing collaborations and programs spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development are strategic steps toward creating an enabling environment for young Nigerians to thrive within the country.
In her remarks, the General Manager of Cavista Technologies, Mrs. Oyebola Morakinyo, stated that the third edition of the Hackathon seeks to harness the innovative potential of young Nigerians, empowering them to develop technological solutions to real-life challenges.
Thirty two (32) teams participated in Hackathon 2025, with three winning teams. The third-place winners received a cash prize of ₦500,000, the second-place team took home ₦1,000,000, while the overall winners was awarded ₦2,000,000.
Looking ahead, Morakinyo envisioned the Hackathon expanding over the next five years to engage even more youth across Africa, highlighting that Cavista also maintains a physical presence in Botswana.
The two-day event, which commenced on Saturday, February 22, 2025, was hosted at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos State.
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