Vilsquare Makers’ Hub Unveils Nationwide Hackathon Series to Drive Innovation

Vilsquare Makers’ Hub and Meluibe Foundation Launch National Hackathon Series to Drive Civic Innovation

In a visionary effort to merge technology with civic participation, Vilsquare Makers’ Hub and Meluibe Foundation have launched a National Hackathon Series aimed at fostering national unity in Nigeria while addressing key societal challenges through innovation.  

“Wearables Edition” Kicks Off in Ado Ekiti

The first edition of the series, themed “Wearables Edition,”was held in Ado Ekiti, South-West Nigeria, focusing on SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being. This groundbreaking event challenged participants—many of whom had never met before—to collaborate and develop wearable technology solutions that could improve healthcare access and well-being.  

Innovative Wearable Tech for Health and Safety

The hackathon produced several impact-driven hardware solutions, including:  

✅ Wearable Massage Vest – Alleviates back pain, especially for long-distance drivers.  

✅ Medication Dosage Reminder – Alerts users when it’s time to take prescribed medication.  

✅ Wearable Cigarette Smoke Detector – Monitors air quality and reduces passive smoking exposure.  

✅ Heart Rate Monitoring Bracelet for Pregnant Women
– Tracks heart rate for both pre and post-pregnancy care.  

✅ Medical History Logger for Travelers – Stores vital health records for emergency medical attention.  

Expanding Across Nigeria’s Geo-Political Zones 

This multi-phase initiative will span 18 months, with hackathons in each of Nigeria’s six geo-political zones. Every edition will focus on a different Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), fostering localized solutions for national impact.  

Building a Movement of 10 Million Makers

Speaking to Smepeaks, Vilsquare’s Co-founder, Obasegun Ayodele, emphasized the organization’s ambitious goal:  

“Our goal is to build a community of 10,000,000 Makers over the next five years who are passionate about peace advocacy and civic participation in both conflict and non-conflict regions of Africa through Open Science and Hardware.”

Championing Open Science and Global Recognition

As part of the global Open Science & Hardware Movement, Vilsquare advocates for accessible, open-source technology. The hub will present its findings from this initiative at the GOSH Conference in China this October, showcasing Nigeria’s contribution to the global maker community.  

With innovation at its core, the National Hackathon Series is not just a competition—it’s a nationwide movement driving technology, civic engagement, and sustainable development.