The First City Monument Bank (FCMB) says no fewer than 2,000 programmers have signed up to participate in its upcoming hackathon, slated to hold Oct. 27 to Oct. 29.

The Group Head, Corporate Affairs of FCMB, Mr Diran Olojo, said in a statement on Thursday, in Lagos, that the high interest in the upcoming event showed the programme’s broad appeal among techies.

This, the statement said, confirmed the commitment of First City Monument Bank and its parent company, the FCMB Group, to nurturing innovation at scale.

BRANDPOWER reports that a hackathon is an event where people come together to rapidly and collaboratively create something new.

Hackathons are often focused on software development, but they can also be used to develop hardware, design products, or solve social problems.

The statement said, “A partnership with Ingressive for Good, the 50-hour virtual Hackathon is set to harness the power of FCMB APIs in advancing Open Banking Initiatives.

“It will unite a diverse group of tech enthusiasts to collaboratively construct proofs of concept and minimum viable products (MVPs) aimed at solving a specific, predefined challenge.’’

It also said that the unique event would provide a valuable opportunity for tech enthusiasts to come together, collaborate, and learn from each other.

“What sets the FCMB Hackathon apart is its capacity to serve as a dynamic platform for over 2,000 tech enthusiasts, including developers, engineers, students, designers, idea generators, and other stakeholders in the tech ecosystem.

“Together, they will craft sustainable innovations and projects to address real-world business challenges and social problems.

“Participants will not only unveil their inventive concepts but will also put their technical skills to the test, fashioning digital solutions while vying for attractive rewards.

“The most outstanding teams will claim cash prizes and valuable items, earning recognition for their groundbreaking solutions,’’ the statement said.

It said that the event would foster collaboration and networking among participants, nurturing an interactive ecosystem where like-minded individuals could forge connections, exchange ideas, and mutually enrich their knowledge.

The statement said that the collaborative environment was poised to yield innovative solutions and forge enduring partnerships that would benefit the Nigerian and African tech ecosystems in the long term.

“Therefore, the FCMB Hackathon is set to serve as a launching pad for the next generation of tech visionaries, propelling them towards success and acclaim.

“It exemplifies a commitment to cultivating a vibrant culture of innovation, propelling tech-driven ideas, and creating unparalleled opportunities for the upcoming wave of tech pioneers,’’ it added.