Nigeria election AI hackathon opens applications

As Nigeria prepares for its 2027 general elections, technology companies and electoral stakeholders are looking at how artificial intelligence could help address some of the challenges facing the country's electoral process.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Meta, Google, Microsoft and other partners have joined forces with Rise Networks to launch the #AI4Elections Hackathon 2026–2027. The initiative is designed to bring Nigerian innovators together to develop technology solutions that can improve electoral transparency, protect voters from misinformation and encourage wider participation in democratic processes.

According to PREMIUM TIMES, the competition will focus on practical applications of artificial intelligence rather than ideas that cannot be tested or demonstrated.

The organisers also want to ensure that technology strengthens public confidence in elections without creating additional risks for citizens or electoral institutions.

##What the INEC AI Hackathon Is About

The INEC AI hackathon is a national innovation programme led by Rise Networks. It will bring together developers, researchers, university students, technology entrepreneurs, electoral experts and civil society organisations to address problems affecting Nigeria's elections.

Participants are expected to develop working solutions in areas such as detecting misinformation, identifying AI-generated fake images and videos, improving access to reliable electoral information and strengthening cybersecurity.

Other focus areas include electoral data analysis, multilingual civic technology, election observation and citizen accountability.

For example, an AI-powered tool could help identify manipulated election-related images circulating on social media or make important voting information available to people who speak different Nigerian languages.

The programme also includes an AI4Elections Development Hub, which will support the testing and improvement of promising projects. A Community of Practice will provide a platform for continued collaboration among researchers, innovators, mentors and other stakeholders.

The initiative builds on Rise Networks' previous experience developing Run-Am, an AI-powered misinformation detection and fact-checking application created for Nigeria's 2023 general elections.

##Who Can Apply and Important Dates

The competition is open to Nigerians aged 18 and above. Eligible applicants include students, software developers, researchers, data scientists, cybersecurity professionals, technology entrepreneurs and civil society practitioners.

Interested participants can apply individually or form teams of up to four members. Applications must be submitted in English.

The organisers are looking for practical solutions to real electoral challenges. Applicants should therefore be prepared to demonstrate how their proposed technology works rather than submit only an idea or presentation.

There is also a ₦10 million total cash prize pool. The overall winner will receive ₦4 million, while the second and third-place winners will receive ₦2.5 million and ₦1.5 million, respectively. Four additional awards of ₦500,000 each will recognise outstanding projects in specialised categories.

Applications opened on October 22, 2026, and will close on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. West Africa Time (WAT).

The national grand finale and innovation showcase is scheduled for December 16, 2026, in Lagos. Selected projects will also have opportunities for further technical support.

Interested applicants can visit the official Rise Networks application website at https://ai4elections.risenetworks.org/ to read the requirements and complete their applications.

##Why AI and Elections Are Becoming Connected

Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly relevant to elections because of the growing amount of political information shared online.

While digital platforms make it easier for voters to access information, they also create opportunities for false claims, manipulated videos and misleading images to spread quickly.

This is particularly concerning ahead of Nigeria's 2027 elections, when misleading content could confuse voters or weaken confidence in electoral institutions.

AI can help address some of these problems by analysing large amounts of information, identifying suspicious content and making electoral information more accessible. It can also support cybersecurity efforts and improve the way election-related data is examined.

However, the technology must be used carefully. Poorly designed AI systems can produce inaccurate information, expose private data or create new security risks.

This is why the hackathon places importance on responsible AI, privacy protection, transparency and human oversight.

Voice of Nigeria has also reported on INEC's efforts to establish an Artificial Intelligence Division within its ICT Department and develop a framework to guide the responsible use of the technology in electoral administration.

The involvement of major technology companies such as Meta, Google and Microsoft also highlights the growing role of the private technology sector in addressing election-related digital challenges.

As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections, the initiative offers local innovators an opportunity to develop tools that could make electoral information more reliable and democratic participation more inclusive.

For Nigerians interested in taking part, the next important step is to submit an application before the November 12, 2026 deadline.