The Executive Director of Commercial and Consumer Banking at Ecobank Nigeria, Kola Adeleke has stated that the InnovateX Challenge was created to empower and equip young people to transform their passions into scalable solutions for national development.

 

 

Speaking at the grand finale of the competition, held at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC) in Lagos, Adeleke emphasized that, as a pan-African bank, InnovateX  represents a pivotal initiative, aimed at shaping the next generation of change-makers and economic contributors.

 

 

“At Ecobank, we are committed to investing in the future of our youth and shaping a brighter future for Nigeria. InnovateX aligns perfectly with this vision. We provide digital solutions, products, and services designed for convenience and accessibility, enabling young people to manage their finances anytime, anywhere, especially via mobile, their primary channel of engagement,” he  stated.

 

 

InnovateX, a collaboration between Ecobank and Heave Ventures, was established to showcase bold and transformative ideas from Nigerians aged 16 to 25 in the Creative and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) sectors.

 

 

Following weeks of applications, bootcamps, and a public voting phase, 18 finalists passionately pitched their ventures with clarity and purpose, with a total of ₦20 million in prizes  awarded, alongside recognition and growth opportunities.

 

 

In the creative category, ISIO, Leadforge, and Zulana emerged as the top winners, receiving ₦5 million, ₦2 million, and ₦1 million respectively. In the STEM category, Afrimetrics, Neighborly, and Feedipay claimed the top three prizes of ₦5 million, ₦2 million, and ₦1 million respectively. Additionally, Stipple Care and Semita AI each received ₦500,000, while the remaining 10 contestants were awarded ₦300,000 each.

 

 

Adeleke commended the resilience of all participants and encouraged the winners to use their prize funds intentionally to scale their ventures and deepen their impact.

 

 

Also speaking at the event, CEO of Heave Ventures, Abiodun Lawal, highlighted the Challenge’s role in empowering youth with resources, platforms, and belief in their potential.

 

 

“This is not simply a competition. It’s a celebration of vision, courage, and the vibrant potential of Nigeria’s youth,” he stated.

 

Caption:

L-R: Head, Local Corporate, Commercial and Consumer Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Otega Odjegba; CEO, Afrimetrics/Winner, Stem category, Micah Erumaka; Executive Director, Commercial And Consumer Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Kola Adeleke; Founder, ISIO, Winner of Creative category, Adeoye Samuel Adeboye; Founding Partner, Ven Capital/Judge, Henry Ogbuagu; and Head, Retail Commercial and Consumer Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Eya Rose at the Grand Finale of Ecobank InnovateX Challenge, in  Lagos.