The 2026 edition of the Hult Prize Nigeria National Competition concluded successfully at the University of Lagos on May 9, bringing together some of the country’s brightest student entrepreneurs, investors, academics, and industry leaders in a celebration of innovation and social impact.
Widely regarded as the world’s largest student social entrepreneurship competition and often described as the “Nobel Prize for Students,” the Hult Prize Foundation challenges university teams to build for-profit ventures that solve pressing global problems.
Supported by Hult International Business School and the United Nations, the competition awards a grand prize of $1 million USD to the global winner.
This year’s Nigeria Nationals recorded participation from 44 universities across the country, with 609 startups registered for the competition. Following months of campus programs, mentorship, and selection rounds, only 25 startups advanced to pitch at the national finals in Lagos.
At the end of an intense pitching session before a panel of judges comprising investors, business executives, and innovation experts, Devspace from Covenant University emerged as the national winner, securing first place and advancing to the next stage of the global competition.
Blank Book from the University of Ibadan emerged second, while Aquanut, also representing Covenant University, finished in third place.
The remaining startups that made the Top 8 were Blood Deck from Lead City University, Zisocare and Amana from Bayero University Kano, Skycorv from Kwara State University, and Tropical from the University of Uyo.
As national winner, Devspace will proceed to the Hult Prize Digital Incubator, an intensive international entrepreneurship acceleration program where selected startups from around the world receive mentorship, strategic business training, investor access, and funding opportunities as they compete for a place at the Global Finals and the
coveted $1 million USD prize.
The Hult Prize Nigeria Nationals is more than a competition; it is proof that young Nigerians are capable of building globally relevant solutions to some of society’s most urgent challenges.
From over 600 registered startups to the exceptional teams that pitched today, we have witnessed the remarkable ingenuity, resilience,
and ambition that exists within our universities. — Olamide Otasanya, Hult Prize Nigeria National Coordinator
“On behalf of Hult Prize Nigeria, I congratulate all participating teams and especially Devspace of Covenant University for emerging as our national winner.
We are proud to see them represent Hult Prize Nigeria
Nigeria at the Global Accelerator, where they will join outstanding startups from across the world in refining their ventures for global impact. We also celebrate Blank Book, Aquanut, and every finalist whose ideas demonstrate that innovation remains one of Nigeria’s greatest strengths.
What we witnessed today goes beyond student competition. These young founders are building solutions with the potential to transform industries, create jobs, and improve lives across Africa.
Hult Prize Nigeria continues to demonstrate the power of investing in youth innovation, and we remain proud to support a platform that is shaping the next generation of African entrepreneurs. — Olubunmi Sobande, Member, Hult Prize Board of Governance
The event concluded with an award ceremony where winning startups, campus leaders, faculty advisors, volunteers and other outstanding contributors were recognized for their excellence and contributions to the growth of the Hult Prize ecosystem in Nigeria.
The Nigeria Nationals also attracted venture capitalists, startup ecosystem leaders, corporate executives, university
representatives, members of the press, and innovation stakeholders from across the country, reinforcing the growing
importance of youth-led entrepreneurship in driving economic and social transformation.
Enquiries
Samuel Olomu
Head of PR and Communications
[email protected]
About Hult Prize Nigeria
Hult Prize challenges university students to solve pressing global issues through scalable, sustainable social enterprises.
In Nigeria, we provide a vital platform for future leaders to develop impactful, purpose-driven ventures, fostering a national
community dedicated to profit with purpose and driving significant socio-economic transformation.
■ www.hultprize-ng.com
■ linkedin.com/company/hult-prize-nigeria