Meet Olayinka, a final-year computer engineering student at the University of Lagos. On the surface, she might seem like an average Nigerian student—until you consider her impressive internships at Goldman Sachs, Bloomberg, and now Palantir Technologies. And she’s not alone. More and more Nigerian students are landing internships and full-time positions at top tech companies abroad. The key that’s opening these doors? Data structures and algorithms (DSA).
Data Structures & Algorithms (DSA) forms the backbone of problem-solving in tech. For software engineers, mastering it not only sharpens their technical skills but also prepares them for interviews, where DSA knowledge is often crucial to demonstrating problem-solving ability.
Noticing the gap in DSA-focused opportunities within Nigeria, the GitHub Campus Experts at the University of Lagos and IEEE Unilag Student Branch are leading the charge with DevSprint, an algorithm competition designed to develop and inspire the next wave of Nigerian tech talent.
At DevSprint, competitors apply their algorithmic skills to solve complex challenges and come up with innovative solutions. In 2023, the first edition of DevSprint was launched. Participants not only got to test their skills but got to connect with like-minded peers. DevSprint aims to offer students a platform to upskill, network, and demonstrate the power of a vibrant student developer community.
The first edition of DevSprint saw over 160 applications, an impressive number considering the short application window and limited publicity. The competition was structured with ascending levels of difficulty. There were preset test cases, and the more test cases each participant passed, the higher their points. The Hackathon ended with three top winners, who were awarded cash prizes for their hard work. The feedback received from the event also further validated the team’s efforts to pull everything off.
“For me, I was super proud to be part of the first version of the competition. In a sense, I guess you could describe the feeling as being similar to that of a trailblazer, as it had never been done before. A data structures and algorithms competition for students, by students? That felt special.” ~ a DevSprint participant.
This feedback inspired the launch of DevSprint 2.0, which promises to outshine the first edition. The revamped competition will span two exciting days, pushing participants to their limits. A new knockout round has been added, where competitors’ coding screens will be streamed live for both in-person and virtual audiences, raising the stakes and energy of the event. There’s also a prize pool for the winners, with details to be announced soon on GC EUnilag’s social media.
On the first day (Preliminary Round), participants will face algorithmic challenges designed to test their problem-solving skills, algorithmic thinking, and coding abilities. The top performers will be crowned based on merit, creating an intense competitive atmosphere, and the best eight will advance to the knockout round. Interested participants can register for Day 1 here!
Day two (Knockout Round) features a head-to-head battle between the top 8 participants from Day 1. Unlike on Day 1, attendees will be allowed to witness the knockout round. DevSprint will model Day 2 after major coding tournaments to add an extra layer of intensity, making it a thrilling experience for both competitors and spectators. Attendees can register to save a spot here!
Registrations will close on November 21st, just a day before the event. The Preliminary Round will take place on November 22nd, followed by the Knockout Round on November 23rd. To find out more, follow GCEUnilag on X and Instagram.
A grand prize of a sum of five hundred thousand naira is up for grabs for the top 3 winners. The first-place winner gets a sum of two hundred and fifty thousand naira, the second-place winner gets a sum of one hundred and fifty thousand naira, and the third-place winner gets a sum of one hundred thousand naira.
DevSprint is your opportunity to master Data Structures & Algorithms—are you ready to take on the challenge?
