The Ogun Digital Summit (ODS) 2026 has opened applications for its hackathon, inviting young developers, innovators and entrepreneurs from across Nigeria to compete for a share of ₦5 million. The top three teams will split the prize, with support extending well beyond the cash.

The competition aims to back solutions to real problems facing businesses and communities. It forms part of the seventh edition of the summit, scheduled for November 25 to 27 at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta. The hackathon itself will take place on the opening day at Ogun Tech Hub in Kobape, also in Abeokuta.

Participating teams will build and demonstrate solutions across six sectors: fintech, edtech, proptech and real estate, healthtech and telemedicine, agritech and food security, and AI/ML. The tracks span consumer-facing services alongside productive sectors such as agriculture and healthcare delivery, in line with the competition's stated focus on practical problems.

What the winning teams receive

Beyond the ₦5 million prize pool, the top three teams will receive cloud computing credits, Zoho credits, workspace opportunities and an eight-week mentorship programme.

Organisers say the package is deliberate. While many technology competitions end once the prizes are handed out, the ODS hackathon is structured to help participants keep developing their products after the event.

Focus on young talent outside Lagos

According to Ogun Digital Summit convener Victor Adeleye, the biggest challenge for talented young people outside Lagos's tech ecosystem is not a shortage of ideas, but limited access to the networks, resources and opportunities needed to develop them.

The venue underscores that positioning: Abeokuta sits in Ogun State, which borders Lagos, giving the summit a base near the country's leading technology hub while drawing participants from beyond it.

The hackathon is designed to identify promising innovators and give them a platform where their abilities can attract meaningful support. Organisers say the summit wants to move beyond conversations about innovation by providing practical resources that help young people turn ideas into viable products and businesses.

The summit has run since 2020 and has connected young Nigerians with technology leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and industry professionals. The 2026 edition will also feature a showcase of innovations from the ecosystem, a main technology conference, networking sessions and a gala night for stakeholders across the innovation ecosystem.

With the hackathon set for the opening day, the winning teams will be named while the summit is still underway, and the eight-week mentorship window that follows will show how far the non-cash support carries the top finishers.

Interested participants can register for the hackathon on the summit's website. Registration for the main event is separate.