FG, ERICSSON SET TO LAUNCH CONNECT NEXTGEN INNOVATION HACKATHON

The Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC), is set to launch the ‘Connect NextGen’ Innovation Hackathon in Nigeria, targeted at upskilling Nigerian youths in modern technologies.

The four-month programme being overseen by the Office of the Vice President will be launched tomorrow, February 11, 2026, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The hackathon, a key operational phase of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Nigerian government and Ericsson, is a collaboration aimed at digitally upskilling Nigerian youth in modern technologies that are transforming industries and daily life.

Participants are expected to bring their innovative ideas to life through the Federal Government–backed programme in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the digital economy, technology integration, and education.

Disclosing this in Abuja on Tuesday, the Office of the Vice President said the programme combines hands-on mentoring, an eight-week acceleration phase, and practical learning across priority technologies, including 5G, IoT, cloud, AI, and sustainable technologies.

It noted that participants will also develop solutions in digital inclusion, smart cities, agritech, and sustainability, with outstanding teams gaining access to accelerators and further incubation opportunities.

To support Nigeria’s ongoing digital transformation under the Renewed Hope Agenda, an Ericsson Educate programme focusing on policymakers in ICT will also be launched as part of the initial rollout.

The Office of the Vice President stressed that the hackathon is open to innovators across Nigeria, including university students, startups, and emerging young talent, as eligible participants are invited to apply via the official registration platform at www.ericssonhackathon.techrevolutionafrica.org, with registrations open from February 11, 2026 to March 10, 2026.

Shedding more light on the training, Head of Ericsson, West and Southern Africa, Majda Lahlou Kassi, said, “At Ericsson, we are proud to partner with the Federal Government of Nigeria to support the country’s digital transformation journey.

“Through initiatives focused on skills development, alongside our Ericsson Educate programme for policymakers and regulators, we aim to contribute to a stronger digital ecosystem. By bringing together talent development and informed policy dialogue, we support efforts to address connectivity gaps and enable inclusive, sustainable growth.”

Stanley Nkwocha
Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications*
(Office of The Vice President)
10th February, 2026