By Deborah Nnamdi
The Federal Government has teamed up with global telecom technology firm Ericsson to launch the Connect NextGen Innovation Hackathon, a nationwide digital skills and innovation programme targeted at young Nigerians, startups, and emerging tech professionals.
The initiative is structured as a four-month hackathon and acceleration programme designed to equip participants with practical, industry-relevant skills while supporting the development of technology solutions that address real-world challenges across key sectors of the economy.
According to programme coordinators, the hackathon is part of a broader digital capacity push aimed at preparing Nigerian youths for opportunities in next-generation technologies while strengthening the country’s innovation ecosystem.
The programme is open to university and polytechnic students, software developers, engineers, product designers, tech entrepreneurs, and early-stage startup teams. Both individual applicants and group teams are eligible to participate.
Participants will undergo a structured learning and build cycle that combines expert-led workshops, guided technical training, mentoring sessions, and supervised product development sprints. Core focus areas include Artificial Intelligence, 5G applications, Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, smart city solutions, agritech systems, digital inclusion platforms, and sustainability-focused technologies.
Organisers say the goal is not only to train participants but to move viable ideas toward deployable prototypes and scalable products. Top-performing teams are expected to receive additional support through post-hackathon acceleration, incubation pathways, and ecosystem exposure to partners and potential investors.
The hackathon will run in multiple phases, beginning with application and screening, followed by onboarding and technical training. Participants will then move into a supervised build stage where they develop solutions, after which shortlisted teams will present demos for judging. Finalists will proceed to an acceleration phase with deeper mentorship and refinement support.
Beyond technical development, the programme also includes knowledge components aimed at strengthening the broader digital environment, including capacity support tracks linked to ICT policy and regulatory stakeholders to ensure innovation and governance evolve together.
How to Apply — Step-by-Step
Interested applicants are required to complete the official registration process through the programme portal announced by the organisers.
The application typically follows these steps:
Step 1 — Access the Registration Portal
Visit the official Connect NextGen Hackathon application portal: https://ericssonhackathon.techrevolutionafrica.org
Step 2 — Create a Participant Profile
Sign up with your basic details, including educational background, skills, and area of tech interest.
Step 3 — Select Participation Mode
Indicate whether you are applying as an individual or as part of a team. Team applicants will be required to list members and roles.
Step 4 — Submit Idea or Focus Area
Provide a short description of your proposed solution or indicate the technology track you want to work in (such as AI, IoT, 5G, or cloud solutions).
Step 5 — Upload Supporting Information
Attach any required documents or portfolio links, if requested, such as prior projects, prototypes, or code samples.
Step 6 — Final Submission and Confirmation
Submit the completed form and await confirmation and shortlist notification from the programme coordinators.
Selected applicants will then receive onboarding instructions and the programme calendar.
Stakeholders say the Connect NextGen Innovation Hackathon represents a significant investment in youth capability and local innovation, creating a pipeline of digitally skilled problem-solvers and positioning Nigeria to compete more strongly in the global technology landscape.
