Nigeria is set to open a new chapter in its digital push as the Federal Government partners with Ericsson to launch the Connect NextGen Innovation Hackathon, a programme designed to train young people in emerging technologies reshaping global industries. The announcement came through a State House release signed by Stanley Nkwocha, who serves as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications.
The initiative signals another effort under the Renewed Hope Agenda to expand digital skills and give young people greater access to the country’s evolving tech ecosystem. The Office of the Vice President confirmed that the four-month programme will begin on 11 February 2026 at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
A new phase in Nigeria’s tech skills agenda
The hackathon forms a major part of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Government and Ericsson. It aims to give young innovators hands-on experience in technologies such as 5G, the Internet of Things, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and sustainable tech. According to the statement, participants will receive practical mentoring and progress through an eight-week acceleration phase with support from industry experts.
The programme encourages youths to build solutions in critical areas such as digital inclusion, agritech, sustainability and smart cities. Those who stand out are expected to gain access to accelerators and further incubation pathways designed to help them commercialise or expand their ideas.
The partnership continues government efforts to collaborate with global technology firms in order to close the skills gap across Nigeria’s digital economy. Officials believe that nurturing this talent pipeline will help prepare young Nigerians for emerging roles in a tech-driven global market.
Strengthening the Renewed Hope Agenda
The Connect NextGen Innovation Hackathon directly ties into President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places significant emphasis on modernising the digital economy, improving technology education and expanding opportunities for young people. As part of the first rollout, government officials also revealed that an Ericsson Educate programme will be introduced to train policymakers and regulators in the ICT sector.
The additional training component is expected to support Nigeria’s wider digital transformation objectives by ensuring that regulatory institutions can keep pace with the fast-moving technologies shaping the country’s economic future.
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