Team HEDA has emerged victorious at an all-female Hackathon on Rangeland Innovation and Data Science.

Team CODE came 2nd place, while Team HARDATAI, clinched 3rd place in the just- concluded event on Tuesday in Kaduna.

The participants worked in teams to develop Rangeland and Pasture Open Dataset on Kaggle and, with mentor guidance, develop practical solutions to transform rangeland management in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Omeva Consulting, a firm specialised in data science and communication across Africa, hosted the hackathon to position women in rangeland innovation and data science.

The initiative was supported by the Embassy of Spain in Nigeria and the Spanish Cooperation Office, as part of their broader commitment to scientific diplomacy and international collaboration.

Speaking at the closing of the event, its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Maria de la Puerta, said that the goal was to put women and data science at the centre of policy making for the livestock sector.

She said that the event, which ran from June 26 with 30 participants, had set a new standard on how people think about rangeland, data, and gender inclusion.

She added that beyond technical training and skills development, the hackathon aimed at amplifying the visibility of Nigerian women in data science, showcasing their potential as innovators and leaders in sustainable rangeland management.

The CEO added that the effort was building on the firm’s ArewaLadies4Tech mentorship programme, where it mentored several students, with many of them participating in the hackathon.

According to her, informed policy decisions require data, yet rangeland, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa are often left out of the data revolution that has transformed agricultural crop management.

She said that the gap limits the development of sustainable policies and solutions for livestock and pastoralist communities.

Puerta added that women remained underrepresented in both data science and policy making, despite their critical role in shaping resilient food systems.

According to her, the absence of women’s insights may lead to policies that may overlook key gendered and community-specific perspectives.

She said that the all-female hackathon addressed the challenges by empowering women in data science, strengthening female representation, and demonstrating how data informs policy decisions.

Also, Eva Barta, the Cultural Advisor, Embassy of Spain, said they embassy in Nigeria participated in the all-female hackathon to promote women’s empowerment, sustainable development, and Agenda 2030 priorities.

Barta said that the event showcased Spain’s commitment to inclusive solutions for global challenges.

“The hackathon highlighted the potential of data and digital technologies to improve quality of life and safety, particularly in sensitive topics like pastoralism and rangelands in Nigeria,” she said.

Barta congratulated the participants, thanking partners like Omeva Consulting, ACESDA, DSN, Farm4Trade, and Almara hub for their support in empowering women through data science.

In a goodwill message, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Agriculture, Murtala Dabo, said the hackathon was a timely innovation for the livestock sector.

Dabo, represented by Mr Amwe Akos, Deputy Director, Livestock Service at the ministry, said they were open to partnerships and data sharing, hoping the hackathon’s outcome would inform policy formulation.

The commissioner charged the participants to utilise the generated data-driven solutions for self-development and societal growth, thanking organisers and partners for the event.

Naomi Bitrus-David, the Project Manager of the hackathon, expressed gratitude to participants, partners, highlighting the importance of data, collaboration, and people in driving meaningful work.

She thanked the Embassy of Spain in Nigeria and partners for their support, and jurors, mentors, and volunteers for their ingenuity and commitment.

Bitrus-David believed that the ideas generated would shape conversations, drive implementation, and inspire other women, to mark the beginning of a promising journey.

One of the participants, Hadiza Ismail, a member of Team HEDA, said that she would use her data analytics skills and contribute to solving world problems.

Ismail encouraged other women to be diverse, learn, and take on new challenges.

“In spite of studying mass communication, I developed a passion for data analytics and have been doing projects since then,” she said.

Ismail believed in pushing beyond her comfort zone and engaging in projects that challenge her, which has helped her grow and develop her skills in data analytics.

NAN reports that the hackathon tagged ‘Women Transform Rangelands’, combined virtual and in-person activities, including training, mentorship, expert seminars, and collaborative solution-building.

Highpoint of the grand finale was the presentation of gifts and cheques to the winners at the event. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani