The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has announced plans to empower 1,000 youths in each state of the federation—totaling 37,000 young Nigerians—with training across various value chains in the livestock sector.
This was revealed by the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha, during the closing ceremony of the Hack4Livestock 2025 Hackathon in Abuja. Represented by his Special Assistant, Mr. Eustace Iyayi, the minister emphasized the ministry’s strategy to drive innovation and inclusivity through digital platforms, with special attention to youth and women.
“We’ve developed the Nigerian Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy and are committed to capacitating 1,000 youths per state. Digital projects like this are crucial to achieving that goal,” Maiha said.
The four-day hackathon was organized by the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and the Ministry of Livestock Development.
Maiha highlighted the transformative potential of digital skills in revolutionizing Nigeria’s livestock sector, stressing that such tools can democratize access, enhance productivity, and promote sustainability.
Prof. Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), praised the participants for their innovation and problem-solving capabilities. Represented by Aliyu Imafidor, GM of the NBTE Centre of Excellence for TVET, Bugaje noted the role of Artificial Intelligence in reshaping sectors such as agriculture, education, and healthcare.
“These projects reflect the power of technology in solving real-world challenges. The dedication and creativity on display are a strong indicator of our national innovation capacity,” he said.
Agro Alliance, the winning team of the Hackathon, presented an AI-powered IoT-based solution designed to mitigate farmer-herder conflicts. Team representative Mr. Gbenga Sesan explained how the system detects cattle intrusions on farmland, sends real-time alerts via SMS and app notifications, and activates deterrents to prevent entry.
“This system helps reduce economic losses, protect lives, and improve farm security. It’s a scalable solution that we hope to integrate with security operations,” Sesan said, calling for broader partnerships to develop and deploy the technology.
Other winners included JVincent in second place with a prize of ₦3 million, and Livestocx in third place, receiving ₦2 million. Agro Alliance clinched the top spot and a prize of ₦5 million.
The event drew participation from key stakeholders across sectors, including representatives of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, NITDA, and NCAIR, all underscoring the government’s commitment to harnessing technology for agricultural transformation.