On November 8th, the atmosphere at The Colossus in Ikeja was charged with a different kind of energy. It wasn’t just the hum of laptops; it was the sound of solutions being born.
Orodata Science, in partnership with Africa Data Hub (ADH), hosted the “Challenge Accepted: Healthcare Innovation” Hackathon, gathering a diverse room of journalists, data analysts, health experts, and digital creators. The mission? To move beyond complaining about the state of Primary Healthcare (PHC) in Nigeria and start solving it using the power of “hard-to-find” datasets.
Why This Matters Now
Nigeria’s Primary Healthcare system faces well-documented struggles—from infrastructure gaps to critical energy shortages. But often, these problems remain abstract statistics. The goal of this hackathon was to take these datasets and turn them into tools, stories, and insights that can drive real policy change.
Highlights from the Podium: A Showcase of Brilliance
The quality of pitches was exceptionally high, showcasing just how far innovation in Africa’s health sector has come. After intense deliberation, three teams emerged as the torchbearers of this new movement.
1st Place: Team Presight — The Bridge Between AI and the Grassroots
Taking the top prize was Team IlerAI (project by TheGrowthers, featuring Ogundipe Nurudeen and Muhammad Ajuwon).
Their winning solution addressed a fundamental truth: “Information is Healthcare.” They recognized that millions of Nigerians in rural areas are disconnected from care not just by distance, but by a lack of information and smartphone access.
2nd Place: Team Pulse — The “Uber for Healthcare”
Taking the runner-up spot was Team Pulse, who tackled one of the most frustrating aspects of Nigerian healthcare: logistics and access.
Describing their solution as “Uber for healthcare”, Team Pulse identified a critical gap: patients often visit the wrong facilities or face overcrowded hospitals. Their solution? A platform that ensures patients get to the “Right Place, with the Right Care, at the Right Time”.
3rd Place: Team Neural Mind — The Future of AI
Securing 3rd place was Team Neural Mind (represented by Olusola Adekunle, Emmanuel Ebiendele, and Akanji Motunrayo). Their project, AfricareAI, was a powerful demonstration of looking forward.
Team Neutral Mind explored a vision where Artificial Intelligence acts as a support system for healthcare workers.
What’s Next?
The hackathon was just the spark. The fire continues next week.
On November 25th, we are taking these insights to the next level with our Newsroom Engagement and PHC Energy Report Launch at the Four Points by Sheraton. We will be unveiling the comprehensive data that these participants started to explore, providing newsrooms with the tools they need to hold stakeholders accountable.
Innovation isn’t a one-day event; it’s a movement. And as we saw with Team IlerAI, Pulse, and Neural Mind, the challenge has definitely been accepted.
