The Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology , Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN today joined the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, to officially launch the Connect NextGen Innovation Hackathon and Ericsson Educate Programme at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
The landmark initiative, implemented in partnership with Ericsson, represents a major step in operationalising the 2024 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Government of Nigeria and Ericsson to digitally upskill Nigerian youths, policymakers, and public sector leaders in emerging technologies.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Vice President Shettima described the four-month hackathon as a strategic move to position Nigeria as a global supplier of digital solutions, rather than merely a consumer of technology.
“The Connect NextGen Innovation Hackathon is designed to deepen this reality—to make Nigeria a supplier of solutions to the world. 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,” the Vice President stated.
He emphasized that the initiative aligns directly with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places job creation and human capital development at the center of national priorities.
“This hackathon is not an isolated event; it is a continuation of a national strategy. The current wave of the Industrial Revolution—powered by 5G, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, IoT and sustainable technologies—is not a tide we can afford to watch from the shore.”
In his address, the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology (FMIST), Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh,SAN underscored that the launch signifies Nigeria’s determination to transition into a creator of globally competitive solutions driven by innovation and human capital.
“Today is not merely the unveiling of two initiatives; it is a clear statement of intent. Nigeria is determined to transition from being a consumer of technology to becoming a creator of solutions, powered by the ingenuity of our people,” the Minister declared.
The National Hackathon will serve as a nationwide innovation platform, challenging developers, start-ups, and university students to design practical and scalable solutions addressing key sectors such as:
• Healthcare
• Agriculture and food security
• Education
• Climate resilience
• Public service delivery
• Smart cities and digital infrastructure
The Minister further reaffirmed FMIST’s commitment to supporting the programme beyond the competition phase, ensuring pathways for commercialisation, research outcomes, and large-scale innovation investments, so that ideas evolve into enterprises and sustainable jobs.
Complementing the Hackathon is the launch of Ericsson Educate, a world-class digital learning platform designed to equip Nigerian youths and policymakers with future-ready skills in:
• 5G Technology
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Cloud Computing
• Data Science
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Emerging digital technologies
Earlier, Ericsson Nigeria’s Country Manager, Mr. Peter Olusoji Ogundele, described the initiative as a concrete step in delivering the 2024 MoU, reinforcing Ericsson’s long-standing commitment to innovation, skills development, and Nigeria’s digital economy.
“With over 40 years of operations in Nigeria and nearly 150 years globally, Ericsson remains committed to empowering youths and policymakers, building trusted networks, and advancing a digital economy that leaves no one behind,” he said.
According to him the partnership also advances plans for a 5G Innovation Lab, promotes knowledge transfer, strengthens innovation hubs, and enhances digital competence across institutions nationwide.
In her speech, Ambassador of Sweden to Nigeria, Her Excellency Anna Westerholm, described Nigeria as one of Africa’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems, noting that the collaboration demonstrates the power of public–private partnerships in driving national development.
The launch reinforces the Federal Government’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment through sound policy, robust infrastructure, and strategic global partnerships.
The Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (FMIST) is dedicated to advancing science, technology, and innovation as critical drivers of sustainable development, economic growth, and global competitiveness for Nigeria.
Mrs. Pauline Sule,anipr
Head, FMIST Press and Public Relations
11/2/26
