The Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with global tech giant Ericsson, is set to launch the Connect NextGen Innovation Hackathon today, February 11, 2026.
This four month initiative, overseen by the Office of the Vice President, aims to bridge the gap between academic theory and industry practice by involving university students and emerging young talent in high tech development.
The program is a cornerstone of the Renewed Hope agenda, focusing on digital inclusion and the integration of advanced technologies like 5G, Artificial Intelligence AI, and the Internet of Things IoT into the African educational landscape.
Participating students will undergo an intensive eight-week acceleration phase where they will be mentored by global experts to develop sustainable solutions for local challenges in sectors such as Agritech and Smart City development.
This hands on approach is designed to transform students from mere consumers of technology into active creators, a shift that education experts believe is vital for the continent's economic sovereignty.
The launch ceremony at the Presidential Villa in Abuja marks the beginning of a nationwide registration period, open to all innovators across the country’s tertiary institutions.
This initiative arrives as the African Union (AU) officially enters the first year of its "Continental Education Strategy for Africa 2026-2035 CESA 26-35). The strategy is a ten year roadmap specifically designed to reform Africa's education systems by integrating digital literacy and climate-resilient infrastructure.
With recent data showing that only 9% of African youth currently possess basic computer skills, the Connect NextGen program serves as a critical pilot for the AU’s broader goal of leapfrogging traditional educational barriers through adaptive AI-led learning.
The timing of the launch is also significant following the recent 2026 Times Higher Education rankings, which saw a record breaking 24 Nigerian universities enter the global subject lists.
This academic boom has positioned Nigeria as a leader in Sub-Saharan higher education, ahead of South Africa and Ghana.
By launching a high profile tech hackathon today, the government aims to capitalize on this academic momentum, ensuring that the country's top ranked students have the institutional support and private sector partnerships needed to compete on the global stage.
Beyond Nigeria, the program is being watched as a blueprint for Innovation across the continent. As institutions like the University of Cape Town and Makerere University also report record research outputs this month, the focus is shifting toward Work Integrated Learning WIL.
Education ministers from across West and Southern Africa are expected to discuss the hackathon's progress at a regional summit next month, signaling a unified effort to ensure that the African classroom of 2026 is a laboratory for real-world problem solving rather than just a place for theoretical study.
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