Enugu State has initiated The Enugu Campus Hackathon 2025, a working path from idea to product to company. The programme, implemented by Enugu SME Centre/Office of Digital Economy (Enugu MSME & Startup Agency) under leadership of Arinze Chilo-Offiah, is driving a structured system that moves young innovators from idea to prototype to market.
Chilo-Offiah said the plan covers broadband and data capacity, talent development, and support spaces, such as Enugu Tech and Innovation Hub. He hinted that teams that rise from this cycle move into Enugu Startup Accelerator for product work, coaching, and capital access.
The initiative accelerates student and youth innovation on six campuses and a non-campus track. It also offers grants, mentorship, and a pathway into incubation and market access, supported by partners, Genesys Tech Hub, The Garage, and Capitis Global Ventures, with talent surfacing across UNN, UNEC, ESUT, IMT, GOU, and Coal City University.
He said Governor Peter Mbah has positioned innovation and digital entrepreneurship as core pillars of the state’s transformation agenda, adding the Enugu Campus Hackathon is one of the flagship platforms advancing that vision—empowering young people to build real solutions with global potential.
“The next waypoint is boot camp, with every campus represented. UNN enters with a deeper bench this cycle, and GOU does as well, a reflection of the volume and quality of entries. Those additional teams get the same access to mentors, tools, and feedback during bootcamp. “At the Grand Finale, the top three from each campus competed for prizes and long-term support.’’
The “Others” track is reserved for young innovators who are not attached to a campus team. They attend boot camp for learning and exposure, while finale slots remain campus based.
“The UNN boot camp cohort finalists competing at the grand finale include EulaIQ—EdTech; Idea Boys (FLOF)—FLOF Mart—AgriTech; and The Mavericks — FurniFit AR—Consumer tech,” he said.
But the bootcamp learning track, not competing at the finale are Mindnest —EdTech; ChainMove—Fintech and real-world assets; Team Flickmart—Flickmart— Marketplace; The Unlimited 1s—Ziro — AI and security; and Zeuus— Campus Engagement Platform — EdTech and MarTech.
