BAUCHI, NIGERIA — Momentum is building for the much-anticipated SDG Women Hackathon, as organizers and key stakeholders gathered at the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi on April 9, 2026, to finalize critical preparations for the event.
Hosted by the Wunti Al-Khair Foundation, the planning meeting signaled a significant leap forward in empowering women through technology and innovation in the region.
Strategic Partnership with Tech Giants
In a major boost for the initiative, organizers confirmed a burgeoning partnership with Microsoft. Following successful discussions in Bauchi, Microsoft officials have expressed a keen interest in collaborating on thematic areas and participating in pre-hackathon activities, bringing global expertise to the local stage.
Additionally, local media giant Albarka has pledged substantial support. The Managing Director of Albarka has committed to a fortnightly 15-minute media slot dedicated to the hackathon, ensuring the program receives wide-reaching publicity across the state.
Key Program Updates and Extensions
To ensure the highest quality of innovation, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) has made several strategic adjustments:
- Mentorship Extension: The mentorship phase has been extended by one week. This decision aims to give mentors and mentees more time to refine their projects and improve overall participant readiness.
- Pitching Date Set: The official pre-hackathon pitching session is now scheduled for May 2, 2026. The event will take place either at the ICT Hall of the Federal Polytechnic or the Eesha’s Learning Foundation office.
- Stakeholder Inclusion: Representatives from sponsoring organizations will be invited to observe the pitching sessions to maintain transparency and foster direct engagement with the innovators.
Team Commitment and Future Outlook
The meeting, led by Programs Officer Fatimah Aliyu, saw the participation of nine key organizers. While the committee noted challenges regarding tight timelines and overlapping schedules, the atmosphere remained one of high morale and “purposeful productivity”.
The Wunti Al-Khair Foundation emphasized that these efforts are not just for a one-time event but are designed to ensure the sustainability of women’s contributions to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) long after the final prizes are awarded.
As the May 2nd pitching date approaches, the eyes of the Bauchi tech community remain fixed on what promises to be a landmark event for female digital inclusion in Northern Nigeria.
