FG & Ericsson set sights on 50,000 Nigerian youths in game-changing NextGen hackathon revolution

In a bold move that signals Nigeria’s deepening embrace of the digital future, the Federal Government of Nigeria, in strategic partnership with global telecommunications giant Ericsson, has launched a huge initiative aimed at lifting the nation’s young population and unlocking a new generation of tech innovators. Known as the ‘Connect NextGen Innovation Hackathon’.

The initiative, which was unveiled at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on February 11, 2026, is being coordinated by the Office of the Vice President as part of a memorandum of understanding signed by the Federal Government and Ericsson. This four-month effort was meticulously designed to provide Nigerian youths with modern skills in domains that are important to industries throughout the world, through a planned blend of hands-on mentoring, practical project work, and an eight-week acceleration phase.

Officials stated that the registration gateway launched on Wednesday, 11^th February, and will remain open until March 10, 2026. They have purposefully intended the hackathon to be inclusive; it is extended to university students, startups, innovators, developers, and emerging digital talent from around Nigeria.

Recap of what unfolded

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who was accompanied by Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, deputy chief of staff to the president, described the project as a realistic step toward transforming Nigeria into a global supplier of digital solutions rather than a consumer of foreign technologies.

“A brilliant line of code written in Nigeria can power systems anywhere in the world,” he added.

Vice president Shettima, also stated that exposing young Nigerians to emerging disciplines such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and sustainable technologies in various fields would enhance the workforce and promote technology-driven entrepreneurship.

Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, also spoke at the launch, stating that the government is deliberately investing in knowledge-based growth and describing hackathons as platforms that transform ideas from curiosity to commercial value while strengthening problem-solving skills.

He explained in his remarks that the launch is an expression that those agreements, MOUs, and expressions of interest will not remain on paper but will be manifested in activities and investment in multibillion-dollar projects.

In her own remarks, Sweden’s Ambassador, Anna Westerholm, hailed Nigeria as a country of talent, creativity, and ambition, highlighting Nigeria’s digital industry as one of the most vibrant and exciting innovation ecosystems on the African continent.

She explained that the launch is a powerful illustration of what public-private collaboration can achieve.

He explained that the Ericsson National Hackathon aims to unleash Nigerian youngsters’ creativity by providing them with world-class tools to address real-world national concerns such as food security, smart cities, and digital inclusion. He underlined the company’s commitment to working with President Bola Tinubu’s administration to promote its digital transformation goal, empower youths and policymakers, and create a digital economy that benefits everyone

Register Now!

If you’re a young inventor reading this and asking, “How do I get involved?” here’s what you need to know:

• Registration launched on February 11, 2026, and will run until March 10, 2026.
• Aspiring participants can apply through the official registration page at www.ericssonhackathon.techrevolutionafrica.org
• Applicants must offer basic information about themselves, their educational or professional credentials, and a summary of the concept or solution they aim to create as part of the hackathon.

The true value of the Connect NextGen Innovation Hackathon is not in the rewards or recognition but in the exposure, skill building, and real-world assistance to turn ideas into big companies. Winners and excellent teams will not only walk away with gifts but also with access to more mentorship, prospective funding opportunities, and direct entry into accelerators where prototypes can become commercial products.

Conclusion

The initiative is a huge moment in Nigeria’s digital transformation. By mobilising 50,000 young innovators and providing them with world-class skills and mentorship, the Federal Government and Ericsson are not only providing opportunities but also reimagining what is possible for Nigerian youth in the twenty-first century.

As the programme progresses in the coming months, it has the potential to open up new job opportunities, elevate homegrown solutions, and inspire a generation of Nigerian tech visionaries who are as comfortable constructing the future as they are dreaming it.