Mon. May 25th, 2026
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About the Hackathon

HelpMum is committed to revolutionizing maternal and infant health in Nigeria. To drive fresh ideas and solutions, HelpMum is hosting the second edition of her Maternal Health Hackathon and is inviting individuals in the tech community, especially researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs and new graduates in the tech community to develop innovative projects that address critical challenges faced by Nigerian mothers and infants, spanning maternal care, newborn health, nutrition, and beyond.

HelpMum Africa HelpMum CareCode Hackathon: ₦10 Million in prize fund for the Tech Innovators Redefining Maternal & Infant Healthcare in Nigeria.

At HelpMum Africa we believe innovation is one of the most powerful tools to transform healthcare and the future of maternal and infant care depends on bold thinkers like you.

HelpMum Africa HelpMum CareCode Hackathon (Second edition) is open and a bold initiative designed to bring together innovators, thinkers and builders who are ready to tackle real healthcare challenges and create lasting impact where is it needed most. To develop innovative projects that address critical challenges faced by Nigerian mothers and infants, spanning maternal care, newborn health, nutrition and beyond.

 

Eligibility

  • Open to anyone including researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, new graduates and everyone in the tech community with proficiency in software development and Artificial Intelligence

  • Participant must have a registered businesss and a path to sustainability for their solution beyond the hackathon.

  • MVPs should have a feature that factors in/integrates our Open Source Innovations

  • Open to participants resident in Nigeria – Demos will be in Lagos

  • Must be 18 years and not older than 35 years.

  • Open to participants of all genders

  • Participants can apply as a sole applicant or as part of a team of not more than 3 members.

Prize Pool

1st Place

₦5,000,000

2nd Place

₦3,000,000

3rd Place

₦2,000,000

Participation Process

Step 1: Pitch Application

Submit your idea explaining your innovative solution

Step 2 : Development Stage

Selected participants will develop their solutions with mentor support

Step 3 : Grand Finale

Present your final solution at our Lagos office for a chance to become a finalist – Final pitch event will be at our SmartVerge Event in Lagos, Nigeria.

Key Guidelines

  • Participants must already have a registered business and a path to sustainability for their solution beyond the hackathon

  • MVPs should have a feature that factors in/integrates our Open Source Innovations

  • Solutions must be low-cost with minimal implementation investment

  • Demos will be in Lagos – Participants must be resident in Nigeria

  • Participants shall review and accept the terms and conditions governing engagement with HelpMum during and after the Hackathon.

  • Post-Hackathon engagement with HelpMum is expected for all participants, especially winners, to support implementation and scaling of solutions beyond the Hackathon

Application Dealine:

 

Method of Application

Interested and Qualified candidates should use link below to Apply.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY 

Winning Criteria

  • Proof of Concept acceptable
  • MVP provides additional advantage
  • Solution integrates HelpMum Open Source Innovations
  • Solution is low-cost with minimal implementation investment
  • Brilliance, Originality and Creativity in approach to solving the problem statement
  • No AI slop Interface

The post Helpmum Africa carecode Hackathon 2.O (₦10 Million Prize ) appeared first on Advert By Dotifi .Com Domains for almajiri.com.ng | Best African Hausa Music Blog, Entertainment ,News and Gossips .

By 9jabook

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From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5 The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Article .From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5: The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Report on the Shifting Landscape of Substance Abuse in Nigeria Nigeria faces a severe and evolving drug crisis, particularly among its youth. What began with the widespread abuse of Tramadol has progressed through mixtures like “Canadian” to newer pharmaceutical diversions such as Exol-5. This shift reflects deeper issues: easy access to prescription drugs, weak regulation, socioeconomic pressures, and aggressive street-level marketing. NDLEA operations and health studies reveal a public health emergency that threatens an entire generation. Phase 1: The Tramadol Epidemic (2010s–Early 2020s) Tramadol, a synthetic opioid prescribed for moderate to severe pain, became Nigeria’s most notorious street drug. Cheap, potent, and widely smuggled (often from India and other Asian countries), it offered users energy, euphoria, and pain relief — appealing to commercial drivers, laborers, students, and young men seeking confidence or stamina. Scale of the Problem: Millions of tablets seized annually by NDLEA. High prevalence among young males aged 15–35. Linked to increased crime, sexual violence, organ damage (kidney failure, seizures), and mental health breakdowns. Contributed to broader opioid misuse alongside codeine cough syrups. Government responses included tighter import controls and public awareness campaigns, but these only displaced demand to other substances rather than eliminating it. Phase 2: The Rise of “Canadian” (Mid-2020s) “Canadian” or “Canadian Loud” emerged as a popular code for high-grade cannabis (often indica-dominant strains) or cannabis mixed with other synthetics. It gained traction as users sought alternatives or combinations to Tramadol’s effects. This phase marked a move toward imported or locally cultivated premium weed, sometimes laced with stronger chemicals. Youths in urban centers like Lagos, Kano, Jos, and Onitsha embraced it for its perceived “cleaner” high compared to opioids. However, it fueled polydrug use — combining cannabis with opioids, sedatives, or alcohol — amplifying health risks. Phase 3: Exol-5 – The Current Threat (2024–2026) Exol-5 (Benzhexol Hydrochloride / Trihexyphenidyl 5mg), originally a prescription medication for Parkinson’s disease and drug-induced movement disorders, has become the latest pharmaceutical being heavily abused. Why Exol-5? Euphoric Effects: Users report intense euphoria, hallucinations, and a sense of detachment — making it attractive as a cheap “upper” or escape. Accessibility: Sold over-the-counter or on the black market despite being a controlled prescription drug. NDLEA has seized millions of pills in single operations (e.g., 3.1 million pills in Kano in late 2024, and over 5.6 million combined with Tramadol in other busts). Street Names: Exol, Artane, Benzhexol, “Farin Mallam” (in Northern Nigeria). Demographics: Prevalent among youths, laborers, and even psychiatric patients who divert prescriptions. Studies show abuse rates as high as 25% among certain outpatient groups. Health Consequences: Anticholinergic toxicity: Confusion, dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, and in high doses — delirium, psychosis, seizures, and heart issues. Long-term: Cognitive impairment, addiction, exacerbated mental health disorders. Often mixed with Tramadol, codeine, or cannabis, creating dangerous synergies. In cities like Jos, Exol-5 sits alongside diazepam, Rohypnol, and Tramadol on street markets, easily available to teenagers and young adults. Why This Evolution Continues Supply-Side Failures: Porous borders, corrupt officials, and overproduction of pharmaceuticals enable diversion. Demand Drivers: Unemployment, poverty, peer pressure, trauma, and the pursuit of performance enhancement (e.g., for “hustle” culture). Weak Regulation: Many pharmacies sell restricted drugs without prescriptions. Online and street vendors fill gaps. Displacement Effect: Cracking down on one substance (Tramadol/codeine) pushes users and dealers toward the next available option. NDLEA reports ongoing large seizures, but the problem persists due to high profitability and low risk for mid-level distributors. Broader Impacts on Nigerian Youths Education: Increased dropout rates and poor academic performance. Mental Health: Rising cases of psychosis and depression. Economy: Lost productivity among the working-age population. Crime and Violence: Drug-fueled robberies, cultism, and family breakdowns. Public Health System Strain: Overburdened hospitals treating overdoses and chronic complications. Young people aged 15–39 remain the hardest hit, with national surveys showing drug use prevalence significantly above global averages. What Must Be Done Stronger Enforcement: Consistent prosecution of corrupt enablers and large-scale traffickers. Regulation: Crackdown on rogue pharmacies and better tracking of prescription drugs. Prevention & Rehabilitation: School programs, community outreach, and expanded treatment centers (currently woefully inadequate). Economic Alternatives: Address root causes like youth unemployment. Public Awareness: Honest campaigns highlighting real dangers of “Exol-5” and similar drugs. Conclusion From Tramadol’s opioid grip to “Canadian” cannabis culture and now Exol-5’s anticholinergic highs, Nigeria’s drug crisis is mutating faster than responses can contain it. Exol-5 represents the dangerous new frontier — a legitimate medicine turned youth destroyer due to misuse and greed. Without urgent, multi-layered intervention — combining supply disruption, demand reduction, and socioeconomic support — an entire generation risks being lost to addiction. The time for half-measures is over. Nigeria’s future depends on winning this fight.