Four days.
A world of possibility.

Meet your fellow innovators, step into the arenas, and be part of the moment that starts it all.

1. 7:00 AM
   Essentials

   Team arrival & accreditation

   Main Entrance

   Show session details

   Venue opens for team arrival and accreditation, with QR check-in.

2. 7:30 AMto 9:30 AM
   Competition

   Team setup & practice sessions

   Competition Arenas

   Show session details

   Team setup, equipment check-in and practice sessions.

3. 9:00 AM
   Competition

   Judges’ briefing

   Judges’ Hall

   Show session details

   Judges’ briefing and scoring system verification.

4. 10:00 AM
   Exhibition

   Exhibition, games & health stations open

   Exhibition Grounds

   Show session details

   The outdoor exhibition floor, Games & Recreation Zone and Health Check stations open.

5. 10:00 AMto 11:15 AM
   Competition

   Demo runs & technical validation

   Competition Arenas

   Show session details

   Final demo runs and technical validation before the first competition round.

6. 11:30 AM
   CompetitionProgramme highlight

   Competition Round 1

   Competition Arenas

   Show session details

   The first competition round across all tracks and all age categories.

7. 1:00 PMto 3:30 PM
   CeremonyProgramme highlight

   Grand Opening Ceremony

   Main Auditorium

   Show session details

   The festival’s opening celebration, featuring the cinematic Opening Keynote Moment: Why Africa’s Innovation Hour Is Now.

   Speakers

   • Mrs. Jane Egerton-Idehen — Managing Director/CEO, NIGCOM SAT

   Inside the ceremony

   1. Lights out — signature music & LED countdown montage (5 mins)
   2. A young innovator walks out first — the symbolic first light (5 mins)
   3. Commissioned spoken word: Engineering Tomorrow (10 mins)
   4. National Anthem & ceremonial processional (5 mins)
   5. MC opening — high-energy welcome (10 mins)
   6. Our Story (Journey up to Today) — Introducing WSF 2026 (10 mins)
   7. Welcome Address — GMG, Creative Director (15 mins)
   8. Goodwill messages — dignitaries & partners; maximum 5 minutes each (25 mins)
   9. Performing acts — music, dance & cultural showcase (15 mins)
   10. Opening Keynote Moment — Why Africa’s Innovation Hour Is Now; Mrs. Jane Egerton-Idehen (30 mins)
   11. Sponsor recognition & Title Partner spotlight (5 mins)
   12. Photo Session (15 mins)
   13. MC closing — introduce Panel 1 (5 mins)

   In programme order. Durations are reproduced as listed in the official document; individual start times are not specified.

8. 3:30 PMto 4:00 PM
   Panel

   Funding the Future

   Main Stage

   Show session details

   Panel 1: How Africa’s Innovators Get Backed.

9. 4:00 PMto 5:30 PM
   Essentials

   Round 1 concludes · arena reset · ceremony setup

   All Halls

   Show session details

   Round 1 concludes, followed by arena reset and ceremony setup, as listed in the official programme.

10. 5:30 PM
    Essentials

    Day 1 closes

    —

    Show session details

    The first festival day comes to a close.