In a time when Africa’s digital future is being shaped from its grassroots, Enugu State is leading from the front — one campus at a time.
The Enugu Campus Hackathon 2025, a flagship initiative of the Enugu State Government, has officially entered full swing with the successful conclusion of its 2-Day Campus Round at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). What unfolded on the campus of Nigeria’s premier university was nothing short of remarkable: a showcase of world-class solutions, deep technical insight, and student-led innovation that is ready to scale.
*What Is the Enugu Campus Hackathon?*
Spearheaded by the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Digital Economy and MSMEs and powered by the Enugu SME Center, the hackathon is a multi-campus innovation competition designed to identify, nurture, and launch the next generation of tech entrepreneurs from Enugu State.
Targeting top institutions across the state, the hackathon has activated — or is about to activate — student innovators at:
- *University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)*
- *Institute of Management and Technology (IMT)*
- *Coal City University*
- *University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC)*
- *Godfrey Okoye University*
- *Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT)*
Winners from each campus will progress to the Grand Finale, where they will compete for US$100,000+ in combined support, including cash prizes, investor access, incubation, and mentorship.
*UNN: Innovation at Its Finest*
The just-concluded UNN Campus Round, held at the Roar Nigeria Hub, featured 2 packed days of high-stakes pitches, intense mentorship, and rigorous judging. With over a dozen finalist teams presenting, the quality of ideas left no doubt: Enugu's campuses are fertile ground for innovation.
Solutions presented tackled real-world issues — from education and healthcare to transport, productivity, and financial access. Standout teams included:
- *HighScore* EdTech – Tackling exam failure with a gamified, AI-powered learning platform.
- *Ndụlinka* – A digital health platform unifying patients, doctors, and pharmacies.
- *JacMate* – AI-powered academic assistant built for Nigerian university students.
- *JuliTech, UniTour, Victory Medicipher, and Mamihub* – All pitched with clarity, innovation, and readiness to scale.
His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, the Executive Governor of Enugu State, has made it clear that digital innovation is central to his administration’s transformation agenda. Under his leadership, the state is investing deeply in youth empowerment, talent development, and startup ecosystems.
*_“The Enugu Campus Hackathon is not just a program — it is a pipeline,” noted Governor Mbah at the launch. “We are building a future where young people don’t just have ideas, but also the tools, mentorship, and capital to build lasting enterprises.”_*
Arinze Chilo-Offiah, Special Adviser to the Governor on Digital Economy and MSMEs, and the driving force behind the Hackathon, emphasized the bigger picture:
*_“This is not just about prizes — it’s about building Enugu’s startup economy from the ground up. What we saw at UNN proves that our young people are more than ready. The world should be watching.”_*
The hackathon team is now headed to Café One, Enugu, where the IMT and Coal City University Campus Rounds will take place before going to Attuenyi Coding Academy for the UNEC Round amongst others— igniting more ideas and identifying the next set of finalists who will battle it out in the Grand Finale later this year.
And as the momentum builds, one thing is certain: Enugu’s campuses are no longer just centers of learning — they are now launchpads of innovation.
Follow the journey via @Enugucampushack and all official state channels.
