Enugu Campus Hackathon: Code in lab, momentum in economy

Some of the cohorts in a session

In rooms across Enugu, teams gather around laptops and whiteboards. The energy feels familiar to any tech sprint. The difference here is what happens after the applause. The Enugu Campus Hackathon 2025 builds a working path from idea to product to company, and the state is helping to carry the load.

The programme is implemented by the Enugu SME Center/Office of Digital Economy (Enugu MSME & Startup Agency) under the leadership of Arinze Chilo-Offiah, driving a structured system that moves young innovators from idea to prototype to market.

Where policy meets potential

The hackathon plugs into the state’s Digital Economy Transformation Plan, which covers broadband and data capacity, talent development, and new support spaces such as the Enugu Tech and Innovation Hub.

Teams that rise from this cycle move into the Enugu Startup Accelerator for product work, coaching, and capital access. The partners include: Genesys Tech Hub, The Garage, and Capitis Global Ventures, with talent surfacing across UNN, UNEC, ESUT, IMT, GOU, and Coal City University.

Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, governor of Enugu State, has positioned innovation and digital entrepreneurship as core pillars of the state’s transformation agenda. The Enugu Campus Hackathon is one of the flagship platforms advancing that vision—empowering young people to build real solutions with global potential.

Bootcamp cohort and how selection works

The next waypoint is bootcamp, with every campus represented. UNN enters with a deeper bench this cycle, and GOU does as well, a reflection of the volume and quality of entries. Those additional teams get the same access to mentors, tools, and feedback during bootcamp. At the Grand Finale, only the top three from each campus step onto the stage to compete for prizes and long-term support. The “Others” track is reserved for young innovators who are not attached to a campus team. They attend bootcamp for learning and exposure, while finale slots remain campus based.

The UNN bootcamp cohort finalists competing at the grand finale include: EulaIQ; FLOF Mart; and The Mavericks — FurniFit AR.

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But the bootcamp learning track, not competing at the finale are: Mindnest; ChainMove and ; Team Flickmart; The Unlimited 1s, and Zeuus and MarTech.

Others are: Startrz and 3D creation; Oneway; HealthDocX; Julitech; Techgators, and creator tools; UNN — AgricTechhub and Paradox — Nora.

But the IMT and Coal City University bootcamp cohort finalists competing at the grand finale are: Teeketing; techHighScore; and BuildNation — VentroPay.

As Well, the UNEC bootcamp cohort finalists competing at the grand finale include: Anbu Gynaecare; StokOps; and Tell Person.

Also, the ESUT bootcamp cohort finalists competing are: Growdex; AgroTrack; and High Flyer — Zaddy Express.

At the GOU bootcamp cohort, the finalists are: Gencoach; Outreach; and Netrobase — Kralis.

Likewise, the bootcamp learning track, not competing at the finale include: FutureNow; and Team Tech Titans — ZEMPAA.

“Others” bootcamp cohort, non-campus learning track not competing at the finale are: Linia Finance; SpitchLabs; and Inova.

Moreover, the projects carry the weight of lived problems. A health platform that connects patients, doctors, and pharmacies; an AI learning engine for students facing high-stakes exams and faster cross-border payments for small businesses. Across campuses the pattern holds, amid focus on inclusion, access, and progress.

Seeding the future, cohort by cohort

A system is taking shape with youth in Enugu assembling teams, testing with real users, and learning how to ship. The government is doing more than fund. It is building the scaffolding that keeps momentum alive after the event lights go off. As the hackathon grows through each cycle, its purpose becomes clearer. This is a policy that breathes. It places young entrepreneurs on a path where infrastructure, financing, and long-term support are part of the plan. The economy needs engines and here is one that starts in a classroom, sharpens in bootcamp, and aims for the market.

The Enugu Campus Hackathon is a state-backed innovation programme of the Enugu SME Center/Office of Digital Economy (Enugu MSME & Startup Agency). The initiative accelerates student and youth innovation across six campuses and a non-campus track. It offers grants, mentorship, and a pathway into incubation and market access, supported by partners Genesys Tech Hub, The Garage, and Capitis Global Ventures.

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