Anticipation is high as Lagos prepares to host the grand finale of the World Computer Hacker League 2025 (WCHL25), a national hackathon empowering Nigerian youth to build decentralized applications and break into the global Web3 space.
The event, running from July 22 to 26, marks the culmination of a months-long nationwide tour organized by ICP Hub Nigeria, which has previously held editions in Kaduna, Enugu, Kano, Uyo, and Abuja.
The regional stops introduced young developers, tech founders, and creatives to the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) and inspired them to build real-world solutions on a decentralized web.
Now, the Lagos edition will bring together top finalists from each region to battle for a share of the $300,000 prize pool but more importantly, for a chance to showcase their talents to global investors, mentors, and blockchain leaders.
According to Dolapo Ogunfidodo, Co-founder of ICP Hub Nigeria, the initiative goes far beyond winning prizes.
In a statement released Tuesday by Mana Lamja, Content Lead at ICP Nigeria, Ogunfidodo noted, “The WCHL25 isn’t just a hackathon. It’s a platform to discover, nurture, and launch the next generation of Nigerian innovators into the global Web3 and blockchain space.
”Since it kicked off, WCHL25 has created valuable exposure for hundreds of young Nigerian developers, many of whom are engaging with blockchain infrastructure and decentralized technologies for the first time.
“We’re not just handing out prizes. We’re giving young Nigerians the skills, tools, and networks they need to become major contributors to the digital economy, right from Africa,” he added.
Participants have submitted open-source, on-chain applications with full documentation on GitHub, meeting international standards for transparency and technical rigour in decentralized app (dApp) development.
He said for many contestants, the experience has marked a turning point in their tech journeys, opening their eyes to what’s possible with Web3.
“Nigeria is full of brilliant minds. What we need is to keep building platforms like WCHL25 that offer visibility, structure, and global relevance,” Ogunfidodo emphasized.
As Africa emerges as a hub for digital innovation, Nigeria’s youthful developer community is increasingly gaining recognition for its contributions to decentralized technologies, Ogunfidodo noted, adding, “WCHL25 is laying the foundation for a future where African developers are not just consumers of global tech, but builders of it.
“As the countdown begins in Lagos, the WCHL25 finale is poised not only to celebrate innovation, but to launch Nigeria’s best and brightest into the heart of the global tech conversation”.
Lamja, in the statement, noted that the Lagos event will feature five days of demo presentations, team collaborations, and mentorship sessions with some of the most prominent names in blockchain and Web3 innovation.
International venture capitalists, founders, and ecosystem leaders will also be on hand to connect with promising Nigerian talent, she added.
While announcing an extension of the project submission deadline to July 25, the organizers urged all participating teams and individuals to ensure their demos and documentation are uploaded before the final cut-off, warning that no further extensions will be granted.
