By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, on Tuesday launched its “Hacking for Global Goals and Innovating for Impact” Engineering Hackathon and Pitching Competition, marking a significant step towards fostering sustainable innovation among its students.
The event, held in commemoration of World Engineering Day, 2025, was a collaborative effort between the Nigerian University Engineering Students Association (NUESA) and the RAEng-HEPSSA Spoke University Project Office, domiciled at the Faculty of Engineering & Engineering Technology, ATBU, Bauchi.
The hackathon, designed to empower aspiring engineers, focuses on addressing real-world challenges aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Student teams were tasked with developing innovative solutions within key sub-themes: Clean Energy Solutions, Sustainable Infrastructure, Climate Change Adaptation, Healthcare Technologies, and Sustainable Agriculture.
“This event is a significant milestone in our journey towards innovation and impact,” as was expressed by Mr. Sani Baba, the President of NUESA in his welcome address.
“We are providing a platform for our students to showcase their creativity, problem-solving skills, and to develop solutions that will have a lasting impact” and “we are here to transform ideas into tangible solutions and demonstrate the power of collaborative innovation”.
Engr. Prof. Robinson I. Ejilah, the Project Lead of the ATBU-RAEng-HEPSSA Spoke Institution reported that World Engineering Day, as recognized by UNESCO, is a global celebration of the significant contributions made by Engineers and an initiative to inspire future innovators.
He emphasized that the hackathon directly aligns with this mission and the HEPSSA objectives of empowering Sub-Saharan African engineering students for sustainable socio-economic development through enhanced research capacities, fostered innovation, and strengthened industry-academia collaboration.
He further stated his firm belief that immersive, collaborative events such as the hackathon, are uniquely positioned to empower young engineering students and engineers by enabling them to develop critical skills, expand their professional networks, and drive meaningful innovation.
At the official opening of the Hackathon and Pitching Competition, Engr. Prof. A.D. Ibrahim Suleiman, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Engineering Technology, emphasized that “the event perfectly aligns with ATBU’s vision and mission of providing quality education for real-world application.”
He further expressed pride in the students’ participation in the competition.
The hackathon featured a rigorous pitching competition, where student teams present their projects to a panel of expert judges. Judging criteria include problem-solving, technical implementation, presentation skills, impact, teamwork, and documentation.
Notably, the score is based on presentation, technical and problem-solving skills, highlighting the importance of effective communication and hands-on training in engineering.
“We are looking for innovative solutions, practical applications, and effective communication,” explained Dr. Idibeke-Abasi Edward Udosen, the Hackathon Coordinator, who further stressed that “this is not just a competition, but a collaborative learning experience.”
Prizes, including cash awards and certificates, will be awarded to the top-performing teams. The event also included networking sessions, mentorship opportunities, and live social media updates.
“We are excited to witness the innovative solutions our students develop,” concluded the Hackathon Coordinator.
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) is committed to providing quality engineering education and fostering innovation to address local and global challenges.
The Nigerian University Engineering Student Association (NUESA) is dedicated to promoting engineering excellence and empowering engineering students in Nigeria.
The Royal Academy of Engineering- Higher Education Partnerships in Sub-Saharan Africa (RAEng-HEPSSA) project aims to enhance engineering education and research capacity in sub-Saharan African universities.
