Miva Open University successfully concluded its first-ever AI Hackathon that spotlighted how young innovators are using technology to solve real, personal problems they experience in everyday life.
Held as part of Miva’s commitment to practical, future-facing education from November 4-5, 2025, the hackathon brought together student teams to design AI-powered solutions addressing challenges in institutions and everyday living. Over an intense build period, participants worked with mentors to turn lived experiences into meaningful technology.
Out of five teams, the winning team, Team Epsilon, stood out for their deeply human-centred solution focused on helping neurodivergent learners.
The idea was inspired by a recurring reality in Nigerian homes and classrooms: children who learn or think differently are often misunderstood, labelled as “difficult”, or punished for struggles they don’t yet have the language to explain. Team Epsilon’s solution creates a safe, age-appropriate space where children and teenagers can begin to understand how their minds work—without fear, judgement, or medical labelling.
Rather than building a purely technical product, the team focused on empathy. Their platform is designed to speak gently to children, empower teenagers, and support conversations between young people, parents, and teachers. According to the team, the goal is to replace confusion and shame with understanding and compassion.
Team Epsilon credits the Miva AI Hackathon environment for shaping how responsibly they approached the problem. Their mentor, Olamide Afolabi, fintech leader and CEO of Touch and Pay Technologies, challenged participants to think beyond features and ask important questions: What happens after someone uses this tool? How does it affect real people?
This guidance helped Team Epsilon build a solution that encourages dialogue instead of delivering diagnoses, and awareness instead of labels—an approach that resonated strongly with judges.
In addition to Team Epsilon, several other finalists and participating teams presented innovative ideas tackling modern challenges faced by young people today. From education-focused tools to solutions addressing everyday inefficiencies, the teams demonstrated creativity, technical skill, and a strong understanding of the problems around them.
Each team reflected the growing role of young Nigerians not just as technology users but as problem-solvers building for their own realities.
The success of Miva’s first AI Hackathon highlights the fact that when young people are given the right environment, mentorship, and freedom, they build solutions that are thoughtful, relevant, and socially responsible.
By creating spaces like the AI Hackathon, Miva Open University is enabling students to learn by building, to innovate with conscience, and to address real-world problems they deeply understand. These platforms help bridge the gap between education and impact, ensuring that innovation is not just impressive but meaningful.
Following their win, Team Epsilon is continuing to refine their solution with educators, families, and cultural context in mind. Their long-term vision includes resources for teachers, partnerships with schools, and tools that help families communicate better so that more children grow up understanding themselves earlier and more kindly.
To learn more about Miva Open University’s programmes, admissions, and other offerings, visit www.miva.edu.ng, call 0700 044 4000, or contact an Admissions Advisor on WhatsApp at +234 9132 300 000.
