The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) has partnered with Coven Works to launch its first-ever AI for Social Impact Hackathon, reinforcing its commitment to fostering technological growth in Lagos. As part of the initiative, LSETF is offering workspace vouchers worth ₦5 million to support ten promising startups from the hackathon community. In a previous news reported by Techstoriex, Lagos is pioneering AI advancement in Nigeria.
The two-day event, held from 30th to 31st January, brought together AI developers, data scientists, and innovators to create solutions tackling challenges in health, education, security, governance, and corporate responsibility. Out of 200 applicants, six teams showcased their projects, with three standout innovations emerging as winners. One of the top projects, Vital AID, introduced an AI-powered healthcare platform aimed at improving diagnostics and patient care. Another, Plate AI, designed a smart meal planner using adaptive learning and Generative AI to deliver personalised nutrition plans. Meanwhile, LinguaCare focused on bridging language gaps in the healthcare sector, enhancing communication between medical professionals and patients from diverse linguistic backgrounds.
Speaking about the initiative, Oyindamola Egbeyemi, Director of Programmes and Coordination at LSETF, expressed enthusiasm about the impact of the collaboration. “We are excited to partner with Coven Works in creating opportunities for startups and tech talents in the AI space. Through this partnership with Coven Works, we aim to empower more tech-driven entrepreneurs, foster AI adoption, and drive economic growth by supporting groundbreaking innovations. This is in alignment with LSETF’s Lagos Innovates Programme.”
Mike Olukayode, Product Lead at Coven Works, also shared his excitement over the level of creativity and innovation displayed during the event. “I am amazed to see diverse solutions developed in just two days with passion and ingenuity by brilliant minds. It has been a privilege to lead and witness people innovate, create, and collaborate at this level. I can’t wait to see these groundbreaking solutions evolve into mainstream companies in the coming years.”
The Future of AI in Lagos
The hackathon is just the beginning, with winning teams set to receive mentorship and funding to refine their solutions for broader adoption. This initiative aligns with Coven Works’ broader vision of bridging Nigeria’s skills gap and positioning the country as a leader in AI-driven innovation.
The event also attracted support from industry leaders, including Vesti, Payaza, PaidHR, Hello.CV, VampAI, Microsoft, Providus Bank, and Resilience17, all of whom contributed mentorship, financial aid, and resources to ensure the hackathon’s success.
I am passionate about crafting stories, vibing to good music (and making some too), debating Nigeria’s political future like it’s the World Cup, and finding the perfect quiet spot to work and unwind.
4 replies on “Lagos Takes Bold Step in AI Innovation with Maiden Social Impact Hackathon”
[…] has officially inaugurated its latest data center expansion in Lagos, named LG2.3. The new facility will provide state-of-the-art colocation and secure interconnection […]
[…] April 2025, Lagos will host the third edition of DICE — Digital Innovation and Creative Excellence — an […]
[…] innovation centre is Sweden’s biggest in Africa and a significant step in strengthening Sweden Nigeria relations. Both countries reaffirmed their […]
[…] to drive innovation, improve productivity, and grow the economy. The launch event took place in Lagos on Tuesday during the unveiling of the Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Collective Industry […]