The Codefest Hackathon Expo & Awards 2025, held at the University of Lagos on November 20th, once again highlighted Nigeria’s emergence as a hub for technological innovation and youth-led digital entrepreneurship. Beyond a competition, the event showcased creativity, problem-solving, and the nation’s growing ability to nurture tech talent capable of addressing real-world challenges.
The Top 12 finalist teams arrived energized, proudly displaying their banners and sporting the official Codefest T-shirts. The atmosphere reflected the excitement and anticipation of young innovators ready to contribute to the country’s digital future. Their solutions spanned multiple sectors, from fintech and healthcare to environmental monitoring and sustainable development.
The event opened with a prayer, followed by inspiring keynote speeches from industry leaders including Mr. Vinod Kaurani (CEO, Tripberry), Dr. Kingsley Oboti (Chairman, Mekatrice Group of Companies), and Raj Kapoor (Founder, Indian Blockchain Alliance). Their addresses emphasized resilience, creativity, and the importance of innovation, framing the competition as a stepping stone for participants to become leaders in the global digital economy.
Government and institutional support lent prestige to the event. Hon. Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe, Lagos State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, was represented by Mrs. Kudirat Aderonke Bello, while Industrial Training Fund (ITF) officials, on behalf of Area Coordinator Mrs. Titilola Baiyere, pledged strengthened partnerships with Codefest International. Their presence underscored the growing recognition that platforms like Codefest are essential for equipping young Nigerians with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive in a digital economy.
A defining feature of the expo was the live project pitch session, where teams presented innovative solutions to pressing societal challenges. The judging panel—comprising Dr. Adekunbi Omotoso (CEO, Apps and Scripts), Dr. Chika Yinka-Banjo (HOD, Computer Science, University of Lagos), and Dr. Adesina Adewale (Chairman, Lagos Chapter, Nigeria Computer Society)—evaluated submissions based on technical depth, feasibility, innovation, and presentation.
The winners demonstrated not only technical skill but also a clear focus on impact:
First Place – Vitalink: A scalable healthcare innovation with the potential to transform patient care and community health delivery across Nigeria.
Second Place – Gestpay: An AI-powered fintech platform designed to improve payment processes and enhance user experience.
Third Place – Flood Alert: A proactive flood monitoring tool providing real-time alerts to reduce the impact of natural disasters.
The expo also recognized partners supporting innovation with Social Impact Awards, reinforcing the value of collaboration between government, industry, and academia in nurturing Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.
Codefest 2025 built on the momentum of the organization’s Guinness World Record attempt for the longest and most-participated online hackathon held earlier in October, demonstrating Nigeria’s growing digital ambition and global-mindedness.
Beyond competition, Codefest provides a platform for leadership, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving, equipping young innovators with skills that extend far beyond coding. It highlights Nigeria’s growing capacity to produce technology solutions that address societal needs while fostering a new generation of digital leaders.
As the country strengthens its digital infrastructure and embraces innovation-driven policies, events like Codefest offer a crucial pipeline of talent poised to drive progress. The 2025 edition confirmed that Nigeria’s tech future is not just promising but it is vibrant, inventive, and increasingly influential on the global stage.
