ALX Nigeria Hosts Exclusive Mixer to Launch Creative Tech Lite, Celebrate Pathway Scholars, and Showcase Africa’s Boldest Startups

At the heart of Lagos’ vibrant innovation scene, ALX Nigeria brought together creatives, tech founders, and changemakers for an unforgettable evening that celebrated purpose, possibility, and the power of African talent. The exclusive event, held at ALX’s flagship Tech Hub in Costain, marked the official launch of the Creative Tech Lite (CTL) programme, the unveiling of the 2025 ALX Ventures Incubator Cohort, and a special screening of the Do Hard Things Challenge finale.

From the moment guests walked through the doors, the energy was palpable. What followed was a powerful fusion of storytelling, innovation, and community—each moment reaffirming ALX’s mission to connect young Africans to the opportunities they need to thrive in the future of work.

“We’re not just launching programmes—we’re igniting purpose,” said Seun Babajide, Country Marketing Manager at ALX Nigeria, as she welcomed guests. “Everything we do at ALX is about transforming talent into scalable impact across the continent.”

In a keynote address that inspired standing ovation, Ruby Igwe, Country General Manager, ALX Nigeria, outlined ALX’s growing footprint across the country—present in all 36 Nigerian states, decorated with 11 awards, and recognised as one of the top tech accelerators in Africa.

“Our goal is clear: we are building the future of Africa by enabling 2 million ethical and entrepreneurial young professionals,” she said. “We don’t just teach skills—we help people invest in themselves, unlock their potential, and build communities that challenge each other to do hard things.”

The event also shone a spotlight on ALX’s flagship Pathway Programme, powered by the Mastercard Foundation. Oluwatoni Ajewole, Recruitment & Activation Manager, introduced a moving documentary featuring stories of the seven Nigerian recipients awarded full scholarships to pursue further study at ALCHE in Mauritius. Their testimonies brought the room to a hush, followed by tears, applause, and heartfelt connection.

“My father once said, ‘Why go to school when you’ll end up in the kitchen?’” shared Peace Chidinma Chukwuka, one of the scholars. “But I took a $5 chance on ALX… and now I’m heading to Mauritius on a full scholarship.”

Another awardee, Ayomide Samson Ajayi, recounted how he overcame personal tragedy—losing his entire family in a motor accident—before finding renewed hope through ALX.

The night continued with a focus on entrepreneurship as Joshua War, Entrepreneurship Development Manager, introduced the ALX Ventures programme and the newly launched 2025 Incubator Cohort. These startups, fresh out of the ALX Founder Academy, now enter an incubation phase designed to take them from promising idea to scalable venture.

To top it all off, guests were treated to the pan-African finale of the Do Hard Things Challenge, which followed eight entrepreneurs from cities across the continent as they pitched their solutions in Mauritius for a share of a $100,000 investment prize. Finalists included founders from Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Morocco, Ethiopia, Ghana, Rwanda, and Egypt, with Bavukile Vilane from South Africa’s Whatsnxt taking the top prize.

At the core of the evening was the debut of Creative Tech Lite, ALX’s newest offering designed for Africa’s growing community of creators. With tracks in AI for Creatives, Music & Audio Production, Content Creation, and Graphic Design, the programme opens doors for aspiring and professional creatives to gain job-ready, future-facing skills.

“Tech is no longer just about code—it’s about creativity,” said Igwe. “Creative Tech Lite is placing Africa’s creatives at the center of the global digital conversation.”

 

With attendees from media, fintech, education, healthcare, and creative industries, the event underscored ALX’s growing influence as a platform that brings together talent, innovation, and opportunity.

“This isn’t just CSR—it’s nation-building,” remarked one senior executive. “You can feel the momentum. ALX is shaping the future, and I want to be part of it.”

To learn more about ALX programmes or to join the movement, visit www.alxafrica.ng and follow @alxnigeria across all platforms.