The Director of the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), Dr Olubunmi Ajala, has revealed that winners of the Hack4Livestock Hackathon will receive support for their startups as well as international exposure.
Dr Ajala made the announcement on Thursday at the conclusion of the four-day Hack4Livestock Hackathon held in Abuja.
The event was organised by NCAIR in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and the Ministry of Livestock Development.
According to Dr Ajala, the winners will have the opportunity to present their ideas at a conference in July at the University of Florida, providing them with invaluable international exposure.
He explained that the top three winners will benefit from incubation, funding, and intellectual property protection facilitated by the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI).
“For the three top winners, a comprehensive support system is in place. They will receive incubation, funding, and intellectual property protection through ONDI, a special purpose vehicle of NITDA responsible for managing and supporting startups. ONDI will offer end-to-end assistance, including capacity development, funding, and IP protection to ensure these promising ventures have the resources to succeed,” he said.
Dr Ajala highlighted an exhibition during the event showcasing a wide range of innovative solutions, demonstrating the impressive capabilities of Nigerian innovators.
“I am immensely proud of the ingenuity displayed. Today’s solutions address issues from mass conflict resolution to productivity improvements, leveraging technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and unmanned aerial vehicles. This diverse range of ideas truly reflects Nigerian talent,” he added.
He also acknowledged the broader talent pool of participants, assuring that even those who did not place among the winners would receive vital support.
Mr Oldejo Olawumi, Director of IT Infrastructure Solutions at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), stated that the products and services developed by the youths have global potential.
“The services and products they create can compete anywhere in the world. With encouragement and exposure, the sky is the limit,” he said.
He noted that NITDA has supported similar hackathons in the past, with Nigerian youths achieving recognition at international events such as GITEX in Dubai.
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Mr Olawumi commended the organisers for providing a platform that enables Nigerian youths to showcase their technological creativity and innovation.
Divine Idokoh, an innovator from Livestocx who placed third, expressed optimism that their digital marketplace platform, which connects livestock sellers directly to consumers, would greatly benefit farmers.
She thanked the organisers for creating opportunities for innovators to develop and realise their ideas.
 The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, pledged cash prizes for the top three groups in the Hack4Livestock Hackathon. These include N10 million split as follows: N5 million for first place, N3 million for second, and N2 million for third.
The winners were Agro Alliance (first), JVincent (second), and Livestocx (third).
