Integrated payments and digital commerce giant Interswitch Group is set to expand its youth innovation programme, the Discovery Series, to three more Nigerian universities, starting in late October 2026.
The upcoming phase of the initiative will kick off at Ekiti State University (EKSU) from October 28 to 30. It will then move to Lead City University, Ibadan, from November 18 to 20, before wrapping up at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, from November 26 to 28.
Launched in 2024 under Interswitch’s #SwitchAFuture umbrella, the Discovery Series is designed as a ‘town-meets-gown’ collaborative platform.
It connects corporate tech expertise with the problem-solving potential of African university students, aiming to narrow the gap between classroom learning and the digital economy.
The programme has grown significantly over the last two years. Following its inaugural edition at Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, it has visited several institutions, including Covenant University, Landmark University, Cosmopolitan University, Redeemer’s University and Afe Babalola University.
The initiative has also expanded beyond Nigeria, drawing in students from Epitech University in the Benin Republic and deepening Interswitch’s ties with the Cotonou tech ecosystem.
At each campus, students will participate in an intensive three-day practical itinerary. The schedule includes entrepreneurship workshops, design thinking sessions, human-centred design training and a fast-paced hackathon.
The event will culminate in a grand pitch competition, where students can win prizes and showcase their ideas to industry experts.
‘The future of Africa will be shaped by the ideas, ingenuity, and determination of its young people,’ said Abdul-Hafiz Ibrahim, Chief Technology Officer at Interswitch. ‘The Discovery Series is our way of creating that bridge between what students imagine and what they can build. Our focus remains on helping young innovators discover what is possible.’
In previous editions, standout student innovations progressed beyond the competition stage, with selected teams receiving ongoing support and opportunities within the broader Interswitch innovation ecosystem.