According to a statement issued by the State House and signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, the four-month initiative will be officially launched on February 11, 2026, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The programme will be overseen by the Office of the Vice President.
The hackathon represents a major operational phase of the Memorandum of Understanding between Nigeria and Ericsson. It is aimed at digitally upskilling youths in emerging technologies that are transforming industries and everyday life. Organisers say the initiative aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on digital transformation, youth empowerment, and education reform.
Participants in the programme will benefit from hands-on mentoring and practical learning experiences. The hackathon will feature an eight-week acceleration phase during which selected teams will refine their ideas and build scalable solutions. Priority areas include 5G technology, the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and sustainable technologies.
In addition to technical training, innovators will be encouraged to develop solutions that address real-world challenges in areas such as digital inclusion, smart cities, agritech, and environmental sustainability. Outstanding teams will gain access to accelerators and incubation opportunities to help transform their ideas into viable enterprises.
The initiative is part of broader efforts by the Federal Government to close digital skills gaps among Nigerian youths and prepare them for emerging opportunities in the global digital economy. By partnering with multinational technology firms, the government aims to stimulate innovation, create jobs, and position Nigeria as a leading technology hub in Africa.
As part of the rollout, an Ericsson Educate programme will also be introduced for policymakers and regulators in the ICT sector. The programme is intended to strengthen institutional capacity and support informed policy development to drive Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
The Office of the Vice President disclosed that the hackathon is open to innovators across the country, including university students, startups, and emerging tech talents. Interested participants are expected to apply through the official registration platform.
Commenting on the partnership, Head of Ericsson, West and Southern Africa, Majda Lahlou Kassi, expressed the company’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital journey. She noted that the collaboration goes beyond skills training to include policy engagement through the Ericsson Educate programme, which is targeted at regulators and decision-makers in the ICT ecosystem.
Kassi added that combining talent development with informed policy dialogue would help address connectivity gaps and promote inclusive, sustainable growth across the country.
The launch of the Connect NextGen Innovation Hackathon comes amid a series of government-led interventions aimed at tackling youth unemployment and deepening digital literacy nationwide. Recently, the government announced a nationwide financial literacy programme targeting 10 million Nigerians, with a focus on women and youth. The initiative, implemented in partnership with professional bodies such as ICAN, CIBN, and NIIE, is designed to strengthen financial skills, digital competencies, and investment knowledge.
In a related development, a major digital literacy drive seeks to train at least 100 million Nigerians in basic digital tools, online safety, and digital entrepreneurship under the National Digital Economy Policy. The programme is structured in six-month cohorts, with participants receiving international certification and laptops upon successful completion to enhance productivity.
Other complementary initiatives include the establishment of the Ladela Educational Institute, a free vocational skills centre offering training in garment making, digital skills, hospitality, and solar installation. Graduates are provided with stipends and starter packs to support their transition into the workforce.
Additionally, the Federal Government has earmarked N120 billion to fund practical, employment-ready training for 60,000 youths across the country.
Taken together, these initiatives signal a sustained effort to empower young Nigerians with the skills required to compete in a rapidly evolving global economy, while leveraging technology as a catalyst for inclusive growth and national development.