Stakeholders and enthusiasts in Nigeria’s technology sector, gathered in their numbers over the weekend in Lagos, to rub minds on how to use tech in solving real-life problems in health, agriculture and other areas of the economy, with the sole aim of making a difference.
The gathering, which also focused on discovering young exceptional talents in Nigeria’s tech scene, saw students from various universities and polytechnics across the country compete in groups, with the view of enhancing care through integrated systems.
Speaking at the event organised by a global software engineering and development company, Cavista Technologies, the Minister of Youth Development, Hon. Ayodele Olawande, said the Hackathon program is an avenue for young talents to rub minds on how to shape the future of a technology driven Nigeria, stressing that automation has become the key driver for an efficient society.
The minister therefore used the opportunity to reiterate President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to building a working eco system that supports technology advancement and entrepreneurial initiative, in a bid to transform the lives of Nigerians and the country in general.
Olawande said, “The Hackathon event is timely and important, as it is put together to directly affect the picture of innovation technology and youth driven solutions. The Theme is timely and important, as technology is affecting all the sectors in the country positively including security.”
“Automation has become the key driver in the involvement of efficient quality of service, as it is also a huge potential to young investors in using smart technology to improve the wellbeing of Nigerians.”
Speaking further about Federal Government’s commitment to building an efficient eco system that supports technology advancement, Olawande revealed during a chat with reporters that the Ministry of Youth Development has been partnering with private organizations like Cavista, with the aim of making sure that a large number of Nigerian Youths get skilled and become job creators.
He also revealed to 9News Nigeria’s Editor, Deji Ogunsola, that the Federal Government would soon lunch an empowerment program called Nigerian Youth Academy, NIYA, which he said is a platform for us, by us, developed to become a place where young Nigerians can gain knowledge, skills, and connect with one another, in view of building a brighter future for all youths across the country.
The Minister said, “The Ministry has been partnering with Private organizations to make sure that a large number of serious youths get skilled in order to create jobs.
“Example of the programs are; the 3 Million Technical Talent, 3MTT, which is targeted at creating an auto ecosystem. The Federal Government is also working on launching Nigerian Youth Academy, NIYA, which is focused on also empowering young Nigerians.”
Olawande therefore stressed that all the collaborations and programs being carried out by the Federal Ministry of Youth development are steps towards creating an enabling environment for Nigerian Youths to strive in their dear country Nigeria.
Earlier, the General Manager of Cavista, Mrs. Oyebola Morakinyo, said the 3rd edition of the Hackathon event is aimed at tapping into the knowledge of young Nigerians, and empowering them to utilize technology in solving real life problems, through technological innovative ideas.
Morakinyo therefore revealed that 32 teams participated in the Hackathon 2025, with the aim of choosing three winning teams, expressing that the third runner up will get a cash price of #500,000, while the second runner up will walk home with #1,000,000, as the team that emerges as the best would get rewarded with #2,000,000.
She further pictured the Hackaton event in the next five years as capturing more youths in Africa, noting that Cavista also has a physical office in Botswana.
9News Nigeria reports that the two-day event, which started on Saturday, 22nd of February, 2025, is taking place at Yaba College of Technology, in Lagos State.
