Event Highlights from Miva’s First AI Hackathon

The AI Hackathon brought together undergraduate and master’s students, industry experts, and mentors from companies such as Digital Encode, Touch and Pay Technologies, ZeroComplex AI, SmartBloks, and various organisations. Over two intense days, participants were challenged to design and build AI solutions that could solve real-world problems.

An Eager Kickoff

Opening the event, AyoOluwa Nihinlola, Chief Content Officer of the uLesson Group, set the tone with an important message to keep in mind. “As computing students, it’s important to remember that employers look beyond grades or certificates. The first question they ask is, ‘What have you done?’ Practical experience and problem-solving matter most. That’s what this hackathon represents: an opportunity to create, test, and prove what we can do.”

He continued with an inspiring message on creativity and courage. Speaking about Miva while introducing the Japanese word “sakigake”—meaning “forerunner”—he said, “We don’t wait for permission; we create the path. We are pioneers in education and innovation.” His words resonated deeply, reminding everyone that innovation begins with boldness and a willingness to try.

From An AI Startup Founder

During a discussion facilitated by Binta Gali Agbonnika, Senior Manager of the Career Advancement Centre at Miva Open University, guest speaker Kehinde Olateru, founder of ZeroComplex AI, shared his journey from solving interbank payment disputes to building an AI startup. His story offered a rare, honest look at entrepreneurship—the wins, the struggles, and the lessons in between. “Execution matters more than ideas,” he told students.

“[Experiential knowledge] is the most important thing,” he said. “Theoretical knowledge is good, but experiential knowledge helps you connect the dots faster. If you want to solve a problem in education, work in that space. If it’s finance, get into that environment. When you understand a problem from the inside, you gain real insight that shapes better solutions.”

When he spoke about overcoming challenges, Kehinde Olateru mentioned how difficult it was to get people to take the company seriously in the beginning. Then he revealed what turned the tide: “First, you must be someone people trust; [be] dependable and consistent. Your word must mean something. My work experience helped because I had relationships across different industries.

“Also, be prudent with resources. When investors give you money, they’re taking a risk. Don’t make them regret it. Mismanaging funds doesn’t only hurt you; it hurts the ecosystem. Some founders misuse funds, and it affects everyone else trying to raise capital. Startups done right can change lives and create opportunities. Look at companies like Miva; they’re proof that bold ideas can build entire industries.”

The Future of Work and Learning

Another highlight was Ehia Erhuboh, co-founder of AI in Nigeria, who explored the future of work and AI. “Change is happening fast. Skills become outdated within years, not decades. AI tools are already replacing junior software developers with less than two years of experience.”

Based on the World Economic Forum’s yearly reports showing the top skills needed for the future, he shared how analytical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, curiosity, lifelong learning, and systems thinking consistently top the list.

“To thrive, we must learn continuously, accept feedback, and think in systems, not silos. Collaboration matters more than competition,” he said, urging students to stay adaptable and collaborative and continuously learn.

The hackathon started properly, and participants, on-site and virtual, brainstormed problems to solve and how. Mentors from partner organisations joined online, helping teams refine their concepts into workable solutions.

 Late into the night, many students kept working on prototypes and debugging code.

The 5Rs of A Memorable Pitch

By day two, teams were polishing programmes, testing features, and rehearsing their presentations for the judges. Afterwards, Napa Onwusah, “The Revenue Mechanic”, led a lively mini-workshop on pitching. She shared practical insights on how to make an idea unforgettable, not just through data or design.

Drawing from Maya Angelou’s famous quote, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,” she urged participants to focus on empathy, simplicity, and human connection.

Through the 5 R’s of a memorable pitch—Resonate, Radiate, Reveal, Relate, and Resound—she explained that the best pitches don’t just inform; they move people. By starting with a relatable story and speaking clearly, presenters can build an emotional connection long before showing a single slide.

Building and Pitching the Future

In ten minutes each, Teams Alpha, Beta, Delta, Epsilon, and Gamma took the stage to present their AI solutions before the judges and observers. Team Alpha developed a productivity tool for students; Team Beta created an interview preparation platform; Team Delta built a study summariser and tutor; Team Epsilon designed a study tool for neurodivergent learners; and Team Gamma created a personalised study coach.

The feedback from the judges (made up of industry experts) brought a wave of insight, recommendations, and light humour. Team Epsilon was announced as the winner, with Teams Delta and Gamma coming second and third, respectively.

Miva’s first AI Hackathon was definitely an amazing learning experience, not only for the winners but for every team that had dared to innovate, collaborate, and see their ideas through to the end.