LAUTECH Students Win Big at Hack4Livestock Hackathon

A team of students from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) has emerged victorious at the prestigious Hack4Livestock Hackathon held at the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) in Abuja, Nigeria.

The team, known as Agro Alliance, consists of Saka Adetayo Muhammed (Team Lead, Mechanical Engineering), Ojoawo Rosemary (Electrical and Electronics Engineering), and Olusanya Ayodeji (Electrical and Electronic Engineering/Blockchain Specialist). All team members are 500-level students in their respective departments.

According to Saka Adetayo Muhammed, the team leader, they got to know about the competition through a flyer shared on social media and tech innovation WhatsApp groups. The theme of the hackathon, which focused on improving livestock and agricultural systems using technology, resonated with the team, especially given the recurring farmer-herder conflict in their region.

"We felt inspired to propose a real-world solution that uses IoT and automation to address cattle intrusion on farms," Muhammed explained. "It was an opportunity to innovate for impact."

Despite being hopeful, the team was aware of the competition's intensity and the quality of other teams. However, their confidence in their solution's relevance and scalability gave them an edge.

The team faced several challenges, including time constraints and technical glitches while integrating their IoT system with live alert platforms. Additionally, being new to Abuja, they struggled to find materials and components needed for their prototype. Fortunately, a friend came to their rescue, providing the necessary materials just in time.

When asked about their feelings upon winning, Muhammed described it as a moment of "pure joy and disbelief." The team was overwhelmed with emotion, hugging each other and cheering.

In a message to students, Muhammed advised, "Don't wait to be perfect before you show up. If you have an idea, a passion, or a skill — put it out there. Opportunities like hackathons are platforms to learn, collaborate, and grow. Believe in your ideas, build with your team, and never underestimate the value of solving real-life problems through innovation."

The Agro Alliance team's victory is a testament to the university's commitment to fostering innovation and technological advancement. The team's solution has the potential to make a significant impact in addressing farmer-herder conflicts and improving agricultural systems in Nigeria.