Shettima Launches Connect NextGen Hackathon, Says Initiative Will Position Nigeria as Global Digital Solutions Hub

Published By Ayshatu S Rabo On Feb 11, 2026

Shettima Launches Connect NextGen Hackathon, Says Initiative Will Position Nigeria as Global Digital Solutions Hub

Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima has said the Connect NextGen Innovation Hackathon will position Nigeria as a global supplier of digital solutions while accelerating job creation in the technology sector.

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Speaking on Wednesday at the launch of the four-month programme at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, the Vice President—represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia—described the initiative as a strategic step in operationalising the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ericsson and the Federal Government to digitally upskill Nigerian youths, policymakers and public sector leaders.

He said the programme aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s job creation agenda and builds on Nigeria’s growing reputation as Africa’s leading hub for unicorn startups and global tech talent.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has placed job creation at the very top of his priorities. This hackathon is not an isolated event; it is a continuation of a national strategy,” Shettima said.

He explained that the Connect NextGen Innovation Hackathon is designed to deepen Nigeria’s role in the global digital economy by empowering young innovators to create world-class solutions.

“A brilliant line of code written in Abuja can power a system in Stockholm; a solution imagined in Kano can transform a farm in Kenya,” he added.

The Vice President noted that the programme will equip startups, university students and young talents to develop transformative solutions using 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoT), and sustainable technologies.

He stressed that the ongoing wave of the Industrial Revolution, driven by emerging technologies, presents an opportunity Nigeria cannot afford to ignore.

“History is unkind to nations that choose the backseat in moments of transformation,” he said, adding that Nigeria’s greatest asset is its youthful population and human capital rather than natural resources.

Shettima also commended Ericsson for its strategic role in supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation, highlighting the company’s contributions in 5G deployment, IoT platforms, edge computing, AI-driven networks and energy-efficient technologies.

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, described the launch as proof that bilateral agreements and MoUs would translate into concrete investments and impactful projects. He pledged the ministry’s support in areas of commercialisation, research, competition and innovation outcomes arising from the hackathon.

Sweden’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Anna Westerholm, said the initiative demonstrates the power of public-private collaboration. She described Nigeria as one of Africa’s most dynamic digital ecosystems and said the partnership reflects Sweden’s commitment to technological cooperation and long-term development goals.

Country Manager of Ericsson Nigeria, Mr. Peter Olusoji Ogundele, said the hackathon and the Ericsson Educate Programme for Policymakers represent practical steps in implementing the 2024 MoU with the Federal Government.

He noted that Ericsson’s more than 40 years of operations in Nigeria have contributed to the evolution of the country’s telecommunications sector—from fixed telephony and GSM to broadband, 5G, AI and IoT.

According to him, the hackathon will focus on solving real national challenges in areas such as food security, smart cities and digital inclusion, while the Educate Programme will enhance the digital competence of government officials to support evidence-based policymaking.

Also speaking, Special Assistant to the President on ICT Policy, Dr. Salihu Ibrahim Dasuki, said the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda and will not only train young people but also expand employment opportunities.

Special Assistant to the President on Project Support, Suhdah Ahmed, added that the programme demonstrates how innovation ecosystems are built by linking knowledge, capital, policy and markets.

The launch attracted key stakeholders from government, the private sector and the diplomatic community, underscoring the growing momentum behind Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.