Nigeria’s livestock sector, which sustains millions and contributes more than 5% to the country’s GDP, is in urgent need of practical, tech-enabled solutions.

From disease outbreaks and limited market access to farmer-herder conflicts and outdated systems, the problems are deep-rooted. But so are the opportunities.

An initiative organised by the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), a specialised unit under the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Hack4Livestock is sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy; AI Collective Nigeria; Luminate and Ford Foundation.

Hack4Livestock is a serious, results-driven hackathon designed to bring together developers, engineers, agricultural professionals, policy experts, and problem-solvers to take on the livestock sector’s most stubborn challenges head-on. 

If you think your solution can improve animal health tracking, stop conflicts before they erupt, or digitise livestock trading for transparency, this event wants you in the room.

Benefits

Participants will gain access to real mentorship, incubation programmes, and a chance at serious funding. A prize pool of N10 million, broken down as follows:

• First place: N5,000,000
• Second place: N3,000,000
• Third place: N2,000,000

Winning teams also receive post-hackathon support to scale their ideas beyond Abuja.

But perhaps the biggest win? You’ll be creating something that can change how millions live, farm, trade, and thrive.

Who Should Apply?

If you think this is only for coders, think again. Hack4Livestock is designed for multidisciplinary collaboration. The call is open to:

• Developers & Engineers: Skilled in AI, IoT, GIS, blockchain, or app development.
• Agricultural Experts & Veterinarians: You understand the real pain points in the field.
• Farmers & Herders: Your experience and insight are invaluable.
• Entrepreneurs & Startups: Especially those already working on AgriTech, sustainability, or inclusion.
• Data Scientists & Analysts: Who can uncover insights and patterns that lead to practical solutions.
• Policy Influencers: Those involved in agriculture, rural development, or peace-building.

No matter your background, if your solution is solid and your intention is real, you’re welcome.

How to Apply

Applications are open now. Head to the website and fill out the form. It won’t take long, but take it seriously, this is a national programme, and only the most committed teams will make it through.

• Deadline: Sunday, 12th May 2025
• Notification of Selection: Thursday, 15th May 2025
• Hackathon Dates: 21st–24th May 2025
• Location: Abuja

If selected, you’ll join other top minds in the capital city for four days of intense problem-solving and collaboration.

The campaign, powered by Luminate and produced by Delmedia, is a social impact digital initiative that will unfold over one month, utilizing both digital and traditional media to ignite conversations and inspire action around gender roles in politics, responsible use of the digital space, and platform accountability.

Speaking at the launch, Delmwa Deshi-Kura, CEO, Delmedia Productions, said that the campaign is aimed at rallying Nigerian youth to step up and take charge of their future.

At the heart of the Naija NextGen campaign is a series of short-form media content designed to entertain while sparking meaningful social action.

These videos, featuring inspiring stories and powerful calls to action, will be released across various platforms over a four-week window.

“The goal is to inspire Nigerian youth, particularly young women, to channel their energy and creativity into community-based initiatives, while actively engaging with the political systems that shape their world”, Deshi-Kura said.

Speaking during a panel session, Stephen King, president, Luminate, said the company was attracted to the project highlighting the need for gender parity and equitable representation in leadership.

The #NaijaNextGen campaign advocates for young women and men to take their place in public service and civic life.

Responsible digital engagement

Young Nigerians are encouraged to join the conversation by following the Naija NextGen social media pages @naijanextgen and using the hashtag #NaijaNextGen and #ThereIsNoFence to share their own stories, ideas, and initiatives about gender roles, digital responsibility, and platform accountability.

The Naija NextGen campaign is supported by various youth organizations and civic engagement groups, including Luminate and Delmedia Productions, who share the vision of empowering the next generation of Nigerian leaders while promoting gender equality and responsible digital use.

Their collective support strengthens the campaign’s impact and reach across communities in Nigeria.

Meet the partners:

Luminate is a global philanthropic organization focused on empowering people and institutions to work toward a more just and fair society. Their work spans multiple sectors, including governance, media, and civic engagement, with a core focus on holding power to account.

Through their support of the Naija NextGen campaign, Luminate seeks to inspire Nigerian youth to take an active role in shaping their future, addressing gender inequalities, and holding digital platforms accountable for their influence on democracy and governance.

Delmedia Productions is an innovative media company focused on producing impactful content that resonates with diverse audiences.

With a commitment to storytelling that not only entertains but also drives social change, Delmedia is at the forefront of creating narratives that inspire, engage, and empower.

Their collaboration with Luminate on the Naija NextGen campaign reflects their dedication to empowering a new generation of leaders through powerful, thought-provoking media focused on gender inclusion and responsible digital engagement.

This announcement comes from the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, who disclosed the upcoming AI Fund initiative during an interview on Arise TV.

The new AI support, backed by global foundation Luminate, will be officially launched on October 7 in Abuja.

This follows the recent N100 million AI fund launched by the Ministry in partnership with Google. While the earlier fund was criticised as insufficient, Dr Bosun Tijani clarified that this new funding reiterates the government’s will and focus on pooling resources for AI growth in Nigeria.

Addressing issues about the perceived inadequacy of the previous AI fund, Dr Bosun Tijani explained that many Nigerians misunderstood the scope of the initiative.

He stated that the government is focusing on gathering resources from multiple avenues, emphasising that the AI sector’s development is not reliant solely on domestic funding. 

The Minister revealed that, in addition to Luminate’s contribution, the government is setting up the National Artificial Intelligence Trust. This body, developed in collaboration with AI Collaborative, will ensure that AI innovations are ethical and sustainable, particularly as the nation works on developing AI applications in local languages.

Dr Tijani also discussed the government’s long-term vision for technology infrastructure, acknowledging that while the benefits may not be immediately visible, projects such as the ongoing fibre optic cable installation, which will cover 90,000 kilometres across the country, are crucial for future development. 

The Minister admitted that securing the $2 billion required for this project will take up to 18 months, with the full installation expected to be completed over the next few years. However, he stressed the importance of such foundational projects, saying that their eventual impact will address national challenges, including poverty.

In addition to these large-scale initiatives, Dr Tijani highlighted the government’s 3 million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative, which is already providing job opportunities for Nigerians, particularly in the technology sector. He also mentioned the 774 Project, designed to enhance service delivery at the local government level by connecting secretariats nationwide.

At a National AI workshop earlier this year, Dr Tijani had introduced the AI Collective, a collaborative platform aiming to drive the country’s AI ecosystem.

This effort is supported by the $1.5 million pledge from Luminate, spread over three years, which will fund key organisations such as Data Science Nigeria, Lagos Business School, and the Centre for Journalism, Innovation, and Development. These institutions will collaborate on governance, research, and innovation within the AI space.

The AI Collective operates within the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), providing a space for Nigeria’s academic, civil society, and technological communities to work together in ensuring that AI becomes a central component of the nation’s economic growth.