{
  "id": 18709838,
  "title": "Zenith Bank awards ₦190 million to African innovators at sixth tech fair",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/zenith-bank-awards-190-million-to-african-innovators-at-sixth-tech",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-11-07T12:14:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Nairametrics",
    "slug": "nairametrics",
    "url": "https://nairametrics.com/2026/11/07/zenith-bank-awards-%e2%82%a6190-million-to-african-innovators-at-sixth-tech-fair/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Zenith Bank Plc recently distributed ₦190 million in prize money to 13 winners across three innovation competitions held at the sixth annual Zenith Bank Tech Fair, held virtually on November 5, 2026. The theme for this year's event was \"AI: Embrace or Extinct.\" The prize pool, the largest in the event's history, reflects Zenith Bank's increasing investment in technology and innovation. The winner of the Hackathon competition, Team Solo, received ₦35 million, while Startup Pitch Competition champion Cutstruct Technology Limited took home ₦35 million. The Future Innovators Challenge, aimed at encouraging technology-driven creativity in secondary school students, produced three winners, with Caleb British International School receiving ₦5 million as the top prize. Winners of the competitions were granted a six-week mentorship and incubation program to help refine their solutions and scale their innovations. Zenith Bank's Founder, Jim Ovia, emphasized his vision of empowering young innovators through technology, hoping to create individuals who will make a global impact. The Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dame Dr Adaora Umeoji, highlighted the importance of embracing Artificial Intelligence and adapting to the rapidly evolving technology landscape. The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, commended Zenith Bank's contribution to technological advancement and reaffirmed the city's commitment to supporting the technology ecosystem.",
  "summary": "Zenith Bank Plc has awarded ₦190 million to 13 winners across three innovation competitions at the sixth edition of its flagship technology event, Zenith Bank Tech Fair 2026: Future Forward 6.0, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing innovation, accelerating digital advancement and empowering the next generation of African technology leaders. Held virtually for the first time […] The post Zenith…",
  "key_points": [
    "Zenith Bank awarded ₦190 million to 13 innovators at sixth Tech Fair",
    "Hackathon winner Team Solo received ₦35 million prize",
    "Future Innovators Challenge produced three school student winners"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}