Enugu State’s ambition to become a major hub for youth-driven innovation has received a significant boost with the announcement of a landmark partnership between the Enugu Campus Hackathon 2025 and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), through its innovation platform, InnovateNaija.
The partnership establishes a direct pipeline from university-built prototypes to national recognition, designed to accelerate student ideas into real-world, investment-ready ventures.
A Clear Path from Campus to Country
As part of the deal, the overall winner of the Enugu Campus Hackathon 2025 will:
Receive a ₦2.5 million seed grant from NASENI
Represent Enugu State at the National Invention Festival (Invention Fest) in Abuja, February 2026
Compete for national prizes worth up to ₦30 million
Gain access to investors, technocrats, and policy shapers from across Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem
“We are building more than a competition—we’re building a runway for globally competitive startups from our classrooms,” said Arinze Chilo-Offiah, Special Adviser to the Governor on Digital Economy and MSMEs, and Director General of the Enugu SME Center. “This partnership with NASENI means that our student innovators are not just dreaming—they’re deploying, scaling, and representing Enugu on the national stage.”
Enabled by Government, Driven by Youth
The Enugu Campus Hackathon is a flagship initiative of the Enugu State Government, powered by the Enugu SME Center and the Office of the Special Adviser on Digital Economy & MSMEs. It is delivered in collaboration with:
Genesys Tech Hub
The Garage
Capitis Global Ventures
These partners are providing technical expertise, venture-building support, and mentorship to ensure student ideas are developed into viable solutions.
“This initiative aligns with the bold vision of His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, to position Enugu as a hub of disruptive innovation, job creation, and inclusive economic growth,” Chilo-Offiah emphasized. “By investing in youth and digital enterprise, we are laying the foundation for a $30 billion economy.”
What’s Next?
Campus rounds are currently underway across leading institutions including the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC), Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Coal City University, and Godfrey Okoye University.
Finalists from these rounds will later converge for a grand showdown, where one team will emerge to represent Enugu State at the national platform.
The Enugu Campus Hackathon 2025 is not just a competition—it is positioned as a launchpad for the next generation of builders, thinkers, and disruptors.
Follow the journey on social platforms: @enugucampushack
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