Wema Bank, Nigeria’s oldest indigenous bank, most innovative and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has announced November 6, 2026, as the date for the grand finale of Hackaholics 7.0, its flagship innovation platform.

Themed “Festival of the Future.” The grand finale will bring together innovators, technology leaders, startup founders, investors and other key players in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem for an immersive celebration of ideas, technology and the possibilities shaping the future.

Beyond the much anticipated announcement of this year’s Hackaholics Finalists, the event will feature innovation showcases, interactive experiences and conversations exploring how emerging technologies are transforming the way people live, work, build and create.

Designed to go beyond the traditional innovation competition, the Festival of the Future will provide a platform for participants and attendees to experience emerging technologies, discover innovative solutions, connect with industry players and engage in conversations about the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly evolving world. The event will also recognise and celebrate outstanding innovators whose ideas have demonstrated the potential to address real-world challenges and create meaningful impact.

Speaking on the significance of the grand finale and the inspiration behind the Festival of the Future, Wema Bank’s MD/CEO, Moruf Oseni, explained that the concept builds on the Bank’s commitment to creating a future of possibilities while encouraging Nigerians to take a more active role in shaping that future.

“The world is changing at an unprecedented pace. Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are transforming industries, businesses and everyday life, creating opportunities that would have been difficult to imagine just a few years ago. The question is no longer simply what the future holds, but how prepared we are to shape it.

“This thinking inspired the Festival of the Future. We want to create an experience that brings innovation closer to people, encourages meaningful conversations and challenges us to think differently about how we will live, work, build and create in the years ahead,” he said.

Reaffirming Wema Bank’s commitment to supporting innovation and empowering young Nigerians, Oseni noted that Hackaholics has continued to evolve beyond a competition into a platform for discovering talent, nurturing ideas and connecting innovators with opportunities.

“Since we launched Hackaholics, our goal has remained consistent; to provide young Nigerians with the platform, resources, opportunities and support they need to transform their ideas into practical solutions. We believe that the future of innovation in Nigeria must be driven by the talent, creativity and potential of our people.

“With Hackaholics 7.0, we are taking that commitment further. Beyond recognising outstanding ideas, we want to bring together the people, conversations and experiences that can inspire the next generation of solutions. Our ambition is to continue building an ecosystem where innovation thrives, possibilities are unlocked and Nigeria is better positioned for the future,” he added.

Launched on July 1, 2026, under the theme “Powering Possibilities,”Hackaholics 7.0 commenced with a nationwide pitch centre tour designed to discover and support innovative ideas from young Nigerians across different regions of the country.

The four-month tour attracted 5,329 participants and 1,632 innovative ideas and solutions, with pitch centres hosted across seven locations: Uyo, Kano, Yabatech, Benin, Ibadan, Enugu and Lagos.

Through three distinct tracks; the Ideathon, Hackathon and Social Impact, the initiative provided opportunities for students, graduates, technology enthusiasts, developers and social innovators to present solutions addressing challenges across different sectors. The Ideathon focused on promising ideas, the Hackathon provided a platform for technology developers and builders, while the Social Impact track recognised solutions designed to deliver measurable value to society.

At the conclusion of the nationwide tour, 59 participants emerged from the various pitch centres, reflecting the diversity of ideas, talent and innovation discovered throughout the programme.

As Hackaholics 7.0 progresses towards its final stage, the 59 finalists will be further shortlisted to 20, who will present refined versions of their solutions at the Pre-Pitch scheduled for November 4, 2026.

On November 5, the participants will embark on an Ecosystem Tour powered by Wema Bank, providing an opportunity to visit other top institutions within the technology and innovation ecosystem, interact with industry professionals and gain practical insights ahead of the grand finale.

The journey will culminate on November 6 at the Festival of the Future, where the top innovators will be recognised and celebrated.

Through Hackaholics, Wema Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to driving innovation, supporting entrepreneurship and creating opportunities for young Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to economic development.

Adron Homes has inaugurated new executives of the Adron Homes Property Owners and Residents Associations (AHPORA) for the Uptown and Downtown zones of Treasure Park & Gardens Phase 2 Extension, as part of efforts to strengthen the relationship between the company and residents.

The inauguration gives residents a platform to raise concerns, share ideas and engage with Adron Homes through elected representatives. The executives are expected to help monitor estate-related matters and ensure that issues affecting property owners receive attention.

L-R: Mrs. Augustina Chuks, Chairman uptown zone, Mrs Adenike Ajobo, MD Adron Homes, Sir, Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing KOF, Chairman/GCEO Adron Homes Properties Limited, HRH, Oba Peter Oluwole Ogunbayo, Otete III, Odemo of Isara Remo, Alhaji Akeem Segun Koletowo, Chairman, Downtown Zone at the inauguration and swearing in ceremony of Adron Homes & Property Owners & Residents Association (AHPORA) EXCOs of Treasure Park & Gardens Phase 2, Downtown Estate, Shimawa Ogun State, on Sunday, 18th October, 2026 held at the Event Ground of the Estate.

The event, hosted by Adron Homes on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at Downtown Estate, Simawa, had) HRH Alaiyeluwa Oba Peter Oluwole Ogunbayo (Otete III, Odemo of Isara Remo, as Royal Father of the Day.

In the Uptown Zone, Mrs. Augustina Chuks was inaugurated as Chairman, while Mrs. Ogunba-Ojo Hutawa Aderonke emerged as Secretary General. Hon. Mrs. Wale Fayemi and Mr. Lateef Eniola were represented at the ceremony by their daughter and wife, respectively. For the Downtown Zone, Alhaji Akeem Segun Koletowo was inaugurated as Chairman, with Mr. Alex O. Ohanwadi as Secretary General.

The Chairman/GCEO of Adron Group, Sir Aare Adetola Emmanuel King KOF, said the ceremony marked a new stage in the life of the estate, which residents had turned from unoccupied land into a thriving neighbourhood. “We are not simply inaugurating executives. We are acknowledging that Downtown Estate has reached another stage in its journey,” he said.

He explained that while a developer provides the framework, infrastructure and vision, the people who live in an estate ultimately determine its character. Residents and property owners, he said, are “not spectators” to its development. “You are the story,” he added.

Sir Aare Adetola charged the new executives to see their offices as a responsibility owed first to residents. He urged them to be leaders who “listen without losing direction, speak without creating unnecessary conflict, and disagree without destroying relationships.”

He described the estate’s reputation, peace, orderliness and the relationships among residents as assets that affect the value of everyone’s investment. “The success of an estate cannot be manufactured from the developer’s office. There must also be ownership from the people who live here,” he said.

Also speaking, the Managing Director, Adenike Ajobo, described the challenges Adron Homes has faced in the course of its growth as part of the process of building a stronger organisation.

She described Adron Homes as an unstoppable movement and called on homeowners, property investors and residents to unite under AHPORA. “The only thing we are clamouring for, agitating for, and campaigning for is for all of us to come together to grow our estate together through AHPORA,” she stated.

The new executives will be a link between residents and Adron Homes, communicating residents’ needs, following up on estate-related concerns and promoting accountability in matters concerning the estate.

A couple of home owners who pleaded anonymity, were recognised for their contributions to the security and upkeep of the estate.They donated a motorcycle and security gadgets for use by the estate’s security officials, to support their movement and strengthen patrols. They also supported the painting of the estate’s gate post.

Beyond the motorcycle and security gadgets, They also supported the estate’s security men, providing them foodstuff and additional security gadgets. Reflecting the important role residents can play in keeping an estate safe and well maintained.

Sir Aare Adetola expressed hope that when another set of leaders eventually takes their place, they will be able to say of the current executives: “They left Downtown better than they met it.”

The Federal Government said it would introduce a fuel tax when the economy stabilises, and Nigerians’ incomes improve sufficiently to accommodate the additional cost.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, who made the disclosure, said revenue from the levy would support road infrastructure and the development of a fuel reserve to cushion future price shocks, stressing that implementation would require a ministerial order published in the Official Gazette.

Oyedele spoke during an interview on the sidelines of the 2026 International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok, Thailand.

His comments come against the background of previous resistance by organised labour and business groups to the five per cent surcharge on chargeable fossil fuel products provided for in Nigeria’s tax framework. Its commencement remains subject to an order by the finance minister.

He said introducing the tax while petrol was subsidised would have been counterproductive because the government would effectively have paid the charge itself. Imposing it immediately after subsidy removal, he added, would have placed additional pressure on Nigerians.

“The objective should be that instead of trying to suppress prices, which hasn’t worked for us, it hasn’t worked for any country in the world, not one. Instead of trying to suppress prices, think about how to grow income faster than prices rise.

“That’s how you bring prosperity and grow the middle class and that is exactly what we are doing as led by Mr. President himself.

“At the appropriate time, when the economy has stabilised and income level will be able to accommodate it, those taxes will come. Not because we want to impose taxes,” Oyedele said.