Zenith Bank Launches ₦190m Zecathon 6.0, Opens Innovation Challenge to Senior Secondary Students

Zenith Bank Plc has launched the sixth edition of its Zecathon innovation programme with a total prize pool of ₦190 million, alongside a new competition specifically designed for senior secondary school students in Nigeria.

Known as the Zenith Future Innovators Challenge, the initiative gives students an opportunity to develop practical solutions to real-world problems while competing for a share of ₦10 million in prizes.

The challenge is open to students in SS1, SS2 and SS3, who must form teams of 2 to 4 students from the same school. Each team must also have a teacher or designated school representative as its point of contact.

Students can develop ideas in five priority areas: financial inclusion, education, healthcare, agriculture, and climate and environmental sustainability.

The top three schools will receive ₦5 million, ₦3 million and ₦2 million respectively.

Beyond the competition, shortlisted students will participate in virtual learning, mentorship and a three-day innovation bootcamp designed to strengthen their skills in innovation, problem-solving, design thinking, collaboration and communication.

The programme will culminate in a virtual Innovation Showcase on October 26, 2026, where finalist teams will present their solutions and winners will be selected.

Zecathon 6.0 also features the established Startup Pitch Competition and Hackathon for founders, developers and innovators across Africa. The winner in each of those categories will receive ₦35 million, contributing to the programme's overall ₦190 million prize pool.

How to Apply

Applications are free and open to eligible senior secondary schools until October 13, 2026.

Application link: cutt.ly/zecathon6

Schools and student teams interested in participating are encouraged to complete their applications before the deadline.