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From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
When 20 young Nigerians walked into the Hackathon Africa Innovation Hub in Enugu on July 17, they were not merely reporting for another training programme. They were taking their first steps into a four-month journey that could redefine their futures and position them for opportunities in the global technology ecosystem.
For many of them, the journey represents far more than learning to write software code. It is about acquiring the skills, mindset and confidence to compete in an industry where talent increasingly matters more than geographical location.
The official opening of Hackathon Africa 3.0, an initiative of AfricaPlan Foundation in partnership with Hadanso Limited, marked the beginning of an intensive 120-day programme designed to equip carefully selected participants with advanced software development, artificial intelligence (AI), innovation and problem-solving skills.
The initiative comes at a time when governments, businesses and development organisations are increasingly looking to technology as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation and youth empowerment. Across Africa, digital skills have become one of the fastest routes to global employment, with software developers, AI specialists and digital innovators in growing demand.
Held at the Hackathon Africa Innovation Hub in Enugu, the opening ceremony brought together government officials, technology stakeholders, development partners and members of the innovation ecosystem, all united by a shared belief that investing in young people remains one of the surest ways to shape Nigeria’s future.
For AfricaPlan Foundation founder, Oni Chukwu, the programme is deeply personal.
Standing before the participants, he reminded them that they had not arrived at the innovation hub by chance but through determination, resilience and persistence.
“I am really proud and it is a pleasure for me. It is a great moment for me and for all of us because we had spent time with the previous cohorts refining what we hardly experienced.
“We started with an application of over a thousand persons, but you are the ones that were selected. You earned the right to be here and that is extremely important. You have to be proud of yourselves. It is not by luck. It is your character, your perseverance and your persistence. I spoke to each and every one of you to get here. What brought you here is how committed you are to push through,” he said.
Chukwu’s story closely mirrors the aspirations of many of the young people seated before him.
Having grown up in Enugu before building a successful career in the United States technology industry, he said he understood first-hand what it meant to possess ambition without access to opportunities.
“I stand here as someone whose journey began just as yours is beginning. I grew up in Enugu like most of you and I know first-hand what it means to have ambition that is greater than the opportunities available to you. You are ambitious enough but you do not have the opportunity to actualise that ambition. That was how I grew up.
“I have spent decades in the United States working in the technology industry. I have been fortunate to work in places where I have contributed to innovations that reshaped industries across the world. From that experience, I can confidently tell you that talent in this part of the world, in Nigeria and especially in the South-East, is second to none.
“What is missing is not ability. What is missing is opportunity. That is why we started this programme,” he said.
His message resonated strongly with participants who now find themselves entering the technology sector at a time artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming industries worldwide.
Encouraging them to make the most of the opportunity, Chukwu described the present era as one of the most exciting moments in technological history.
“There has never been a more extraordinary moment like now. We are living through a technological revolution unlike any other. Artificial Intelligence is completely transforming how we approach problem-solving. The future belongs to people who are prepared to learn, build and innovate, and that is exactly what this programme is designed to help you do,” he added.
Country Manager of AfricaPlan Foundation, Salem Emmanuel, explained that the road to Hackathon Africa 3.0 began long before the opening ceremony.
According to him, more than 2,000 young Nigerians responded when applications were announced. After a rigorous selection process, applicants completed introductory software development courses through the programme’s Learning Management System before only 20 participants emerged for the physical boot camp.
“Today we are here for Hackathon Africa 3.0 in partnership with Hadanso Limited. We are excited to commence the journey of these 20 selected young innovators in Enugu.
“We are training them to the point where they can create impact and build sustainable solutions in the technology space. The process started with a call for applications where we had over 2,000 applicants. They went through a rigorous selection process and completed courses on our LMS platform where they learnt the fundamentals of software development that will serve as the bedrock of their knowledge.
“Today marks the beginning of the real journey. We are looking forward to seeing the amazing things these young people will produce. They will spend 120 days in a dedicated learning environment. They will be accommodated, fed and provided with every support they need to build their future.
“We have no doubt that with the mentorship and ecosystem support already in place, they will become exceptional software developers capable of competing anywhere in the world,” Emmanuel said.
Beyond technical instruction, organisers say the programme has been deliberately designed to remove barriers that often prevent talented young people from succeeding. Accommodation, feeding, mentorship and access to experienced software engineers have all been built into the initiative, allowing participants to focus entirely on learning and innovation.
The programme also aligns with the Enugu State Government’s ambition to position the state as a leading technology and innovation hub in Nigeria.
Representing Governor Peter Mbah’s administration, the Special Adviser on Digital Economy and MSMEs and Director-General of the Enugu MSME and Startup Agency, Arinze Chilo-Offiah, praised AfricaPlan Foundation for supporting government’s digital transformation agenda.
“Today we are at the flag-off of Hackathon Africa 3.0. This initiative is seeking to identify the next generation of young talents in digital skills.
“I am proud of what the proprietor of this place is doing. This is laudable and the government is very desirous of supporting initiatives like this. We are making a commitment to facilitate job access upon completion. We have so many resources that can align with what this programme is offering.
“We are happy that something like this is happening in Enugu State because it supports our journey to build the best digital ecosystem in the South-East and indeed across Nigeria,” he said.
His assurance that government would help facilitate employment opportunities for successful participants underscores a growing recognition that digital skills must be connected with meaningful economic opportunities.
For the participants themselves, however, the programme represents more than a possible career.
One of the beneficiaries, Chukwu Augustine, believes the experience will shape not only his technical competence but also the way he approaches real-life challenges.
“I would like to thank the founder, Mr Oni Chukwu, for this opportunity he has given us. They have prepared a wonderful curriculum for us.
“We are not just learning technical skills in this cohort; we are also learning a mindset of problem-solving. That mindset can easily be applied to solving challenges in society, and I believe what we are learning here will prepare us to make meaningful impact wherever we find ourselves,” he said
