Enugu State has launched the Enugu Campus Hackathon 2025, a flagship initiative designed to take young innovators from idea to prototype to market-ready product. Implemented by the Enugu SME Centre/Office of Digital Economy (Enugu MSME & Startup Agency) under the leadership of Arinze Chilo-Offiah, the programme provides a structured ecosystem for students and youth to develop, test, and scale their solutions.
Chilo-Offiah explained that the initiative spans broadband and data capacity, talent development, and access to support spaces such as the Enugu Tech and Innovation Hub. Teams emerging from the programme move into the Enugu Startup Accelerator, gaining product coaching, mentorship, and access to capital.
The Campus Hackathon accelerates innovation across six campuses and a non-campus track, offering grants, mentorship, and pathways into incubation and market access. Key partners include Genesys Tech Hub, The Garage, and Capitis Global Ventures, helping surface talent from UNN, UNEC, ESUT, IMT, GOU, and Coal City University. Chilo-Offiah highlighted that Governor Peter Mbah has positioned innovation and digital entrepreneurship as central to the state’s transformation agenda, with the hackathon serving as a platform to empower young people to build solutions with global potential.
The next stage of the programme is a boot camp, with every campus represented. Teams from UNN and GOU were noted for their strong entries, all receiving mentorship, tools, and feedback. At the grand finale, the top three teams from each campus will compete for prizes and long-term support.
An “Others” track is reserved for young innovators not attached to a campus team. These participants also attend boot camp for learning and exposure, while final competition slots remain campus-based. Finalist teams from UNN include EulaIQ (EdTech), Idea Boys (FLOF Mart, AgriTech), and The Mavericks (FurniFit AR, Consumer Tech). Additional boot camp participants not competing at the finale include Mindnest (EdTech), ChainMove (FinTech and real-world assets), Team Flickmart (Marketplace), The Unlimited 1s (Ziro, AI and Security), and Zeuus (Campus Engagement Platform, EdTech and MarTech).
The Enugu Campus Hackathon 2025 exemplifies a practical approach to youth empowerment, bridging education, technology, and entrepreneurship while preparing participants to launch viable startups that contribute to Nigeria’s digital economy and innovation landscape.
