By Emmanuel Elebeke

Agro Alliance, a team from Ladoke Akintola University, has emerged as the overall winner of the Federal Government’s Hack4 Livestock competition, securing a N5 million cash prize. The contest, which attracted over 500 teams and 1,800 applicants, was launched to foster tech-based solutions to Nigeria’s long-standing herder-farmer conflicts.

Agro Alliance’s winning solution leverages AI and IoT to develop a cultural and social monitoring system that detects intrusions on farmland and sends real-time alerts to farmers. The system can also activate alarms to deter cattle before they damage crops.

Second place went to JVincent Group, which earned N3 million for its affordable solar and biogas-powered smart incubators, while Livestox Group claimed third place and N2 million for its blockchain-enabled livestock marketplace.

The week-long event, organized by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy in partnership with NCAIR and NITDA, concluded with awards and commendations from top officials including Minister Dr. Bosun Tijani and National Director for AI & Robotics, Dr. Olugumu Miyajala.

Dr. Miyajala emphasized that the winners would benefit from further incubation, international exposure, and support through initiatives like ONDA and AI Collective. Agro Alliance will also present its innovation at a conference at the University of Florida in July.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Alh. Idi Maiha, and other key stakeholders highlighted the importance of integrating young innovators into national development strategies through AI and emerging technologies.

Dr. Tijani Bosun, the Hon. Minister (represented), praised the transformative potential of the projects, noting their alignment with the government’s broader vision for a digital agricultural economy.

In their remarks, organizers and partners praised the participants’ creativity and problem-solving mindset, calling the competition a milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward a tech-driven agricultural transformation.