The third edition of the Cavista Technologies Hackathon 2025, themed ‘Smart Automation: Enhancing Care through Integrated Systems’, has concluded with winners emerging from a pool of talented young innovators. The event, held recently at the Yaba College of Technology in Lagos, aimed to empower youths with technology-driven skills to solve real-life problems while fostering job creation and innovation.
Team Stark Underflow Takes Top Prize
Team Stark Underflow from the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Ikorodu, emerged as the overall winner, walking away with a cash prize of N2 million. The team impressed judges with their innovative approach to smart automation, showcasing a solution designed to enhance care through integrated systems.
Team Trendsetters and Team TechStars secured second and third place, respectively, winning N1 million and N500,000. In addition to the cash prizes, winners received mentorship opportunities, networking platforms, and collaboration prospects to further their growth in the technology sector.
Empowering Youth Through Innovation
Speaking at the event, the General Manager of Cavista Technologies, Oyebola Morakinyo, expressed excitement about the initiative, which focuses on empowering youths and creating job opportunities.
“We want to transform lives and create job opportunities. The main aim of the hackathon is to give skills to the young people. We are also looking out for talents to hire. In this engagement, we are looking out for those who stand out, and they continue with the engagement even when the event is closed,” she stated.
Morakinyo emphasized the organization’s commitment to pushing boundaries and discovering the next generation of engineers who will impact the community. She advised youths to take bold steps, embrace innovation, and not fear making mistakes.
“At Cavista Technologies, our vision is to be the most innovative and respected solutions provider in the market. We provide innovative services that drive transformation, enhance efficiency, and position organizations to lead in the future by leveraging our team of skilled engineers and industry experts,” she added.
Government’s Commitment to Youth Development
Hon. Ayodele Olawande, Minister of Youth Development, who also attended the event, highlighted the government’s commitment to addressing unemployment and creating growth opportunities for Nigerian youths. He stressed the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in driving economic growth through human capital development.
“Jobs are not easy to come by, but before you can get employed, there must be growth. Capital, both financial and human, is what drives that growth,” Olawande said. “This is why we are partnering with various organizations, including tech companies, to ensure that our youth can access the right tools and training.”
The minister emphasized the value of skills over academic qualifications, noting that skill development is at the heart of the government’s youth empowerment campaigns.
“If you are skilled, you can enter the job market with confidence, whether in tech, agriculture, or other industries. Skill development is at the heart of the government’s youth empowerment campaigns,” he stated.
Building a Sustainable Ecosystem
Olawande reiterated the importance of creating an enabling environment for Nigerian youths to thrive. “We must provide the tools, the environment, and the opportunities for our young people to innovate, learn, and contribute to the nation’s growth,” he said.
Looking Ahead
Cavista Technologies plans to build a database over the next five years to track the impact of the hackathon within the communities it operates in. The organization remains passionate about its initiatives to give back to society and empower the next generation of innovators.
The hackathon not only showcased the potential of Nigerian youths but also highlighted the critical role of technology in driving sustainable development and economic growth.