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From November 4–5, 2025, Miva Open University will host the very first Miva AI Hackathon, a dynamic two-day event that will bring together brilliant young minds, creative thinkers, and future tech leaders to solve real-world challenges through artificial intelligence.
But beyond the energy of competition, what makes this hackathon truly special is the guidance, evaluation, and inspiration provided by its exceptional team of mentors and judges, a diverse lineup of innovators, executives, and academics shaping technology across Africa and beyond.
In This Post
The Judges
1. Professor Tayo Arulogun
At the forefront of the judging panel from Miva Open University itself is Professor Tayo Arulogun, the Vice Chancellor. A scholar and administrator deeply invested in technology-driven education, Professor Arulogun’s presence highlights Miva’s commitment to bridging academia and innovation. His guidance will help participants see how their ideas fit into the larger picture of learning, research, and societal development.
2. Dr. Emeka Ogbuju
Prof. Tayo is joined by Dr. Emeka Ogbuju, Head of Department, School of Computing at Miva Open University, whose academic and practical expertise ensures that projects are assessed with a balance of rigour and relevance. His involvement reinforces Miva’s belief that innovation thrives best when grounded in strong academic values and real-world application.
3. Professor Obadare Peter Adewale
Joining them is Professor Obadare Peter Adewale, a Professor of Practice in Cybersecurity at Miva and co-founder of Digital Encode. With a career that spans decades in digital risk management, Obadare is a leading voice in cybersecurity and data protection. His expertise ensures that participants not only think creatively but also consider the ethical and security implications of the AI systems they build.
4. John Ikpe
John Ikpe, R&D expert at The uLesson Group, brings a research-oriented lens to the hackathon. His work in developing and refining educational technology solutions equips him to help participants approach AI development with creativity, empathy, and analytical rigour.
5. Obinna Okerekeocha
Obinna Okerekeocha, Director of Content at Moniepoint Inc., brings a unique lens from the fintech and digital content world. His experience in building and scaling user-centred products will help teams fine-tune their projects to ensure they are not only technically sound but also practical and relevant to real users.
6. Leonardo Okpeh
Leonardo Okpeh, CEO of Smart Bloks, represents the entrepreneurial spirit the hackathon aims to inspire. His focus on AI-driven business solutions and innovation ecosystems makes him the perfect judge to assess how teams can transform raw ideas into scalable ventures.
7. Olamide Afolabi
Joining the judging panel is Olamide Afolabi, CEO of CowryCard, a fast-growing fintech company that combines finance and technology to simplify digital transactions. His expertise in AI-led financial innovation will guide teams in exploring how artificial intelligence can solve Nigeria’s financial and business challenges at scale.
8. Vangelis (Michael) Oden
Vangelis (Michael) Oden, Principal Engineer at Kera Health, brings international experience in machine learning and data systems. His evaluation will focus on practicality, scalability, and the potential of each solution to make a measurable impact, ensuring that participants’ ideas are not only technically impressive but also meaningful in the real world.
9. Kehinde Olateru
Kehinde Olateru, co-founder of ZeroComplex AI, joins the judging panel with strong expertise in artificial intelligence and data-driven innovation. At ZeroComplex AI, he focuses on developing intelligent systems that simplify complex business processes and enhance decision-making. With a background that bridges research, product development, and entrepreneurship, Kehinde brings a balanced perspective to the panel, evaluating projects on their technical depth, innovation, and potential to create meaningful impact across industries.
10. Ehia Erhaboh
Ehia Erhaboh, co-founder of AI in Nigeria, is a strong advocate for building local AI talent. He will help participants think beyond the competition—towards how their ideas can contribute to Nigeria’s growing AI ecosystem.
11. Oreoluwa Olaitan
Oreoluwa Olaitan, co-founder of Enif and Liviofood, brings deep expertise in AI innovation and venture building to the judging panel. With experience leading product strategy and incubation at CredPal (YC W19), he has a proven record of turning ideas into scalable solutions. His perspective will help ensure that hackathon projects combine creativity with real-world impact and sustainability.
The Mentors
Behind every great innovation are mentors who push ideas further. The Miva AI Hackathon has assembled an impressive group of mentors from across the tech industry, ready to share their expertise and challenge participants to think differently.
1. Lanre Samson Akisanya
From The uLesson Group, Lanre Samson Akisanya, Chief Technology Officer, will mentor teams in designing scalable, user-focused technology products. With years of experience leading product and engineering teams, Lanre’s mentorship will push participants to think deeply about functionality, performance, and user experience.
2. Dr. Roseline Ogundokun
Dr. Roseline (Oluwaseun) Ogundokun is a lecturer at Landmark University and a member of several professional bodies, including GYA, TRCN, NCS, and CPN. Known for her research in computer science and her mentorship of young scholars, Dr. Ogundokun brings academic depth, structure, and a passion for developing women in tech, qualities that will enrich the mentorship process.
3. Vangelis (Michael) Oden
Returning to offer additional mentorship support is Vangelis (Michael) Oden, Principal Engineer at Kera Health. With extensive experience in machine learning and data systems, his mentorship will help participants turn technical concepts into functional AI solutions.
4. Michael Oluwole
Joining them is Michael Oluwole, COO of CowryCard, whose experience in operations and product execution will guide teams in transforming their ideas into structured, deliverable projects. Michael’s insights bridge the gap between innovation and implementation, ensuring participants develop solutions that work efficiently in real-world conditions.
5. Chris Kwekowe
Also joining as a mentor is Chris Kwekowe, Head of Peralta at AFG, a well-known advocate for technology education and youth empowerment. Chris’s mentorship will encourage participants to take bold, innovative approaches while maintaining clarity and purpose in their projects.
6. Solomon Yateghtegh
Finally, Solomon Yateghtegh, founder and CEO of SKYHUB Nigeria, rounds off the mentor lineup. A passionate innovator and startup builder, Solomon has mentored numerous young developers and entrepreneurs across Africa. His guidance will motivate participants to think big, collaborate effectively, and refine their ideas for real-world impact.
A Convergence of Talent and Vision
Together, this stellar lineup of judges and mentors will do more than evaluate projects. They will guide, challenge, and inspire. Their combined experience spans education, cybersecurity, fintech, health tech, and artificial intelligence, ensuring participants gain a well-rounded perspective on how AI can drive positive change in society.
The Miva AI Hackathon 2025 is not just a competition; it’s a launchpad for ideas that could define the future of technology in Africa. With the right guidance, every participant has the opportunity to create something remarkable.
Stay tuned for stories, moments, and breakthroughs from the hackathon. Follow @mivauniversity on all social media platforms for updates, photos, and highlights from the event.
