Applications are now open for the 2026 BuildVerse Hackathon Series (1st Edition), a nationwide AI competition designed to mobilise young Nigerian talent to tackle pressing real-world challenges. Backed by Chekk Inc., the initiative invites teams of students and recent graduates to collaborate, build, and deploy AI-driven solutions across key sectors.
- Applications are now open for the 2026 BuildVerse Hackathon Series (1st Edition), a nationwide AI competition designed to mobilise young...
- Backed by Chekk Inc., the initiative invites teams of students and recent graduates to collaborate, build, and deploy AI-driven solutions...
- In the Education Tech category, teams are expected to build solutions that improve access to quality learning and reduce inequality.
- Winners will be selected based on innovation, execution, and impact.
Keep reading for the full breakdown on AI competition Nigeria — everything you need to know is covered below.
The virtual hackathon, which runs through early June, is open to teams of two to four participants drawn from Nigerian universities. Organisers say the programme aims to bridge innovation gaps by empowering emerging developers, designers, and problem-solvers to translate ideas into functional products with real societal impact.
Focus Areas Target Education, Governance, Inclusion
Participants in the BuildVerse Hackathon will compete across three thematic tracks: Education Tech, Civic Engagement, and Social Impact & Inclusion. Each track is designed to address challenges affecting Nigeria’s development by applying artificial intelligence.
In the Education Tech category, teams are expected to build solutions that improve access to quality learning and reduce inequality. Civic Engagement projects will focus on enhancing transparency, participation, and democratic processes, while the Social Impact & Inclusion track encourages innovations that expand accessibility and opportunities for underserved communities.
Organisers emphasise that participants should come prepared with clearly defined problem statements rooted in real challenges across Nigeria, ensuring that solutions are practical and relevant.
Multi-Stage Competition Structure
The competition will unfold in three stages, beginning with a “Pitch & Plan” round where teams define their problem and outline their AI approach. Up to 90 per cent of teams will advance to the semifinal stage, where working prototypes must be developed and refined.
The final stage will see the top five teams present their completed solutions to a judging panel. Winners will be selected based on innovation, execution, and impact.
Applications opened on April 1, 2026, and will close on May 8, 2026, at 11:59 PM (WAT). The hackathon sprint, judging, and award presentations are scheduled for early June.
Prizes and Participation Requirements
The winning team will receive a cash prize of ₦400,000, while other top-performing teams will also earn monetary rewards. All participants will be issued BuildVerse certificates, with standout teams gaining additional visibility through web features.
Eligibility is limited to students and recent graduates of Nigerian universities who completed at least a bachelor’s degree within the last three years. Applicants must provide valid documentation to verify their status, including school IDs, transcripts, or official attestations.
Teams are required to use agentic development tools such as Claude Code, Windsurf, Codex, or Cursor, with at least half of each project built using such platforms. Deployment will be done via Chekk.dev, with training sessions provided during the programme.
Emphasis on Inclusion and Collaboration
Participation is fully virtual, allowing eligible applicants from across Nigeria to compete without geographic limitations. While the hackathon is open to all qualified candidates, organisers say they “strongly encourage participation from individuals who identify as women, individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and individuals experiencing any form of socioeconomic disadvantage.”
To enter, teams must register online, submit required documentation, and complete short essays outlining their ideas and approach. Selected teams will receive further guidance through a virtual orientation before advancing to the build phase.