The Enugu Campus Hackathon finale saw Growdex win $5,000 for tech innovation, driving the state's digital economy forward.
The atmosphere at the Enugu International Conference Centre was buzzing with energy on Friday as students showcased their digital brilliance at the grand finale of the Enugu Campus Hackathon.
The event brought together government leaders, industry experts, and tech enthusiasts to witness the next generation of innovators.
Eleven finalist teams from various tertiary institutions across the state pitched their tech-driven solutions. These young innovators presented everything from hardware devices to digital platforms, all designed to solve real-world problems in the economy.
Team Growdex emerged as the overall winner, taking home the $5,000 grand prize. Beyond the cash, they will receive six months of incubation support valued at over $10,000 to help scale their business.
Other winners included High Flyer, who took second place with $3,500, and Linia Finance in third with $2,500. In the Deep Tech category, ANBU GynaeCare secured $2,500 for their hardware innovation.
Governor Peter Mbah, speaking through the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, described the hackathon as a key part of his plan to transform Enugu.
He noted that the state is moving away from a consumption-based economy to one driven by productivity and innovation. This initiative acts as a state-backed pipeline to turn student talent into scalable enterprises.
The journey to the finale was rigorous. It began months ago with engagements at institutions like the University of Nigeria and the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT).
Before reaching the stage, students underwent an intensive bootcamp where their ideas were tested against market realities and business models.
The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Kingsley Udeh, SAN, also commended the state’s efforts. Represented by Dr. Peter Ogbobe, the Minister reminded the students that true innovation is about improving lives in their communities. He urged them to see this competition as a springboard for long-term impact.
Further supporting the region's tech growth, Mark Okoye of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) highlighted the massive potential of Artificial Intelligence.
He revealed plans to groom at least 1,000 tech talents to establish the South East as a leading innovation hub in Africa.
With over $100,000 invested in prizes, seed funding, and mentorship, the hackathon proves that Enugu’s digital future is being built today by its youth.
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