ETHNigeria 2025, a blockchain innovation program designed to accelerate Web3 development in Nigeria, concluded successfully after three weeks of intensive activities that brought together developers, investors, and industry leaders from across the country and the international ecosystem.
The program, which ran from July 28 to August 15, 2025, delivered on its mission to drive developer growth, community building, and the development of impactful Web3 solutions through a carefully structured approach that combined education, competition, and networking opportunities.
The initiative attracted significant participation across all program components. The residency program selected 30 developers from over 50 qualified applicants, while the Ethereum conference at the University of Lagos drew more than 170 attendees, representing the largest gathering of Web3 professionals in Nigeria this year.
“The level of engagement and quality of projects we witnessed throughout ETHNigeria 2025 confirms that Nigeria is ready to play a major role in the global blockchain ecosystem,” said Chukwuemeka Enoch Mbaebie, Lead of ETHNigeria and Convener of the program.
“Our developers are not just learning about Web3 technologies, they are building solutions that address real challenges in our local context.”
Residency Program Produces Tangible Development Outcomes
The two-week residency program, conducted both virtually and in-person at the Web3 Hacker house, Lagos, focused on practical skill development across key blockchain focus areas, including Ethereum, Filecoin, cNGN, DeFi, AI integration with Web3, NFTs, and blockchain infrastructure.
The intensive format produced measurable results, with participants initiating over 15 prototype projects during the residency period.
Technical workshops and mentorship sessions led by experienced blockchain developers enhanced participants’ competency in Solidity programming, smart contract development, and decentralized storage solutions.
The program’s success rate was reflected in the transition from residency to hackathon, with more than 10 teams continuing their projects into the competitive building phase, demonstrating sustained engagement and project viability.
Hackathon Attracts Diverse Talent Across Multiple Blockchain Ecosystems
The 48-hour hackathon, extended to Monday, August 11, operated in a hybrid format that accommodated both remote participants and in-person teams at the HackHouse.
The competition attracted over 30 developers from multiple states across Nigeria, working across specialized partnership tracks.
The Filecoin track received 9 submissions from over 20 developers, while the cNGN track generated 5 submissions from more than 10 developers.
Technical teams from Filecoin, cNGN, and ETHNigeria provided ongoing mentorship throughout the competition, ensuring participants received expert guidance while working on their solutions.
Ethereum Conference 2025 Brings Together Industry Stakeholders and Academic Institutions
The August 9 conference at the University of Lagos served as a knowledge-sharing platform that connected Web3 practitioners with academic institutions, demonstrating the growing recognition of blockchain technology within Nigeria’s educational sector.
Dr. Victor Odumuyiwa, Director of NITDA IT Hub (NITHub) at the University of Lagos, gave the opening keynote as he touched on BUILDing Africa with Blockchain Technology, where he addressed the role of the Ethereum ecosystem in advancing the course.
Also speaking on her keynote, Harnessing AI and Data for Africa’s Digital Leap, Dr. Chika Yinka-Banjo, Associate Professor and Head of Computer Sciences at the same institution, enjoined the participants on how AI and data can drive inclusive innovation in Africa.
The first panel session, moderated by Chukwuemeka Enoch Mbaebie, Lead, ETHNigeria & Convener, had a discussion on Unlocking Web3 for Africa’s Digital Economy.
The panelist included Toluwani Aguda, Founder, KoboX Finance & Founding President, Web3 UNILAG); Eniola Mercy, Community Manager at Web3Afrika and Praise Alohan, Partnerships Associate at Women in DeFi.
The second panel session focused on Building in Africa – The Road to Mass Adoption, with panelist including Dayo Adeosun, Cofounder & Co-CEO, Anjorin Capital | Cofounder & CEO, Sudocat SudoLabs and Toluwani Ogundele, Founder & Product Lead at Craftlink. The session was moderated by Eniola Mercy, Community Manager at Web3Afrika.
Featured speakers that featured during the ETHNigeria 2025 conference include Temiloluwa Adelowo, Software Engineer & Filecoin Orbit) and Anthony Amio, who spoke about ReFi and the Future of Regenerative Economies.
Pitch Day Connects Developers with Investment and Partnership Opportunities
The program culminated with Pitch Day on August 15 at the Hacker House, where five confirmed teams presented their projects to a distinguished panel of judges representing major ecosystem partners and investors.
The judging panel included technical leaders from Ethereum Nigeria, Filecoin Orbit, cNGN, and FIL B, ensuring that projects received evaluation from experts across different blockchain ecosystems.
The presence of international guests, including Francesco Andreoli, Devrel Consensys, MetaMask; David, Founder Bonadocs; Opeyemi Bangkok, Global Ecosystem Lead, GaiaNet AI and other ecosystem partners, provided a global perspective on the quality and potential of Nigerian Web3 innovations.
The pitch presentations allowed teams to demonstrate not only their technical capabilities but also their understanding of market needs and their potential for scaling solutions beyond the Nigerian market.
The hackathon had two tracks (cNGN and Filecoin Track)
cNGN Track
Winner (Robbert Abimbola)
- Project: SecureVault
- Problem: Lack of cNGN support in treasury systems.
- Solution: Secure, transparent treasury transactions with cNGN and multi-signature support.
- Winning Prize: cNGN250,000
First Runner-up (Nsemeke Ekarika)
- Project: NairaRolls
- Problem: Enterprise payroll security risks, high transaction costs, lack of transparency, inefficient bulk payments, and compliance challenges.
- Solution: Instant multi-signed compliant payroll settlements with MPC wallet security and multi-chain support using cNGN.
- Winning Prize: cNGN150,000
Second Runner-up (Toluwani Ogundele)
- Project: CraftLink
- Problem: Inefficient hiring, lack of verifiable profiles, and limited cross-border payment solutions.
- Solution: Instant low-cost borderless payments and escrow in artisan-client transactions using cNGN.
- Winning Prize: cNGN100,000
Filecoin Track
Winner (Taiwo Triumphant)
- Project: DataMarket
- Problem: Centralized data storage risks and monetization barriers.
- Solution: Decentralized data marketplace using Filecoin, FVM, and Lighthouse SDK. #
- Winning Prize: 5000 USDGLO
First Runner-up (Salaudeen Mubarak)
- Project: BlockedLearning
- Problem: Educational content censorship, platform dependency, geographic access restrictions, high storage costs, content authenticity, centralized control, data privacy.
- Solution: Filecoin via Lighthouse SDK for permanent censorship-resistant storage of educational content with IPFS for global access.
- Winning Prize: 300 USDGLO
Second Runner-up (Daniel Tega)
- Project: i-contract
- Problem: Technical complexities in smart contract creation and deployment.
- Solution: Deploys smart contracts to Filecoin (FVM) with drag-and-drop and simplified coding features.
- Winning Prize: 200 USDGLO
The Judges included: Abdulrasheed Ibrahim, HE Convexity; Sheyi Falola, PM, cNGN & Convexity; Sarah Thiam, Founder, FIL Builder; Rishikesh Kale, Developer Advocate, FIL Builder
The Mentors included David, Core Contributor, Bonadocs; Francisco, Devrel, MetaMask, Consensys; Opeyemi, Global Ecosystems Lead, GaiaNet AI; Temioluwa Adelowo, Filecoin Orbit
The Ethereum Nigeria (ETHNigeria) Core Team: Chukwuemeka Enoch Mbaebie, Founder; Etette Etok, CTO; Toluwani Ogundele, Program Manager; Mercy Oluwatumininu Kolapo, UI/UX Lead.
Strategic Partnerships Drive Ecosystem Development
ETHNigeria 2025 was built on strategic partnerships with leading blockchain organizations, including Filecoin, cNGN, and various ecosystem partners who provided technical expertise, mentorship, and evaluation criteria for different tracks.
These partnerships ensured that participants gained exposure to innovative technologies while working on solutions that align with global trends in blockchain development.
The involvement of international partners also provided Nigerian developers with direct access to global networks and opportunities.
Building a Foundation for Web3 Growth in Nigeria
ETHNigeria 2025 wasn’t just a string of events; it was a layered effort to build a real foundation for Web3 growth.
The residency program gave individuals the chance to sharpen their technical skills. The conference brought those same people into a community, sparking conversations that extended beyond the sessions.
And then the hackathon and pitch competitions pushed ideas off the whiteboard and into real-world tests.
That mix of learning, community, and practical application is what makes the program feel like more than just a moment.
It’s a structure for long-term growth, one that strengthens Nigeria’s technical capabilities while also building the professional networks
Even universities are catching on. The University of Lagos’ involvement in the conference says it all.
Nigeria’s Place on the Global Web3 Map
If ETHNigeria 2025 proved anything, being the First (1st) Ethereum Conference in Nigeria has both the people and the energy to stand tall in the global Web3 conversation. The talent, enthusiasm, and institutional backing gave it weight.
The projects that emerged from the program demonstrated what happens when local creativity meets global collaboration.
Investors, developers, and ecosystem partners walked away with connections that are likely to spark new ventures well after the event ended.
Nigeria isn’t just participating in the Web3 wave; it’s defining it, offering a model that other African countries can look to as they build their own blockchain ecosystems.
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