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Current Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship Fellow, Hadiza Shettima, took second place at the Northeast Creativity and Innovation Summit for her venture, Farm Solution. Farm Solution is an agricultural venture focused on revolutionizing rice farming in Yobe State, Nigeria.  

“Our mission is to empower smallholder farmers—particularly women—by integrating smart irrigation systems powered by solar energy and IoT technology,” Shettima said. Systems like these help reduce fuel dependency and increase crop yields.  

The Northeast Creativity and Innovation summit is a two-day event focused on developing the region through entrepreneurship and innovation. The event’s theme was ‘step out and innovate,’ encouraging founders and participants to engage in creative problem-solving to reimagine the region’s future. The summit featured a pitch competition, and a variety of workshops and keynote speakers.  

From April 29th to 30th participants gathered in Maiduguri, Nigeria, to share ideas, collaborate, and showcase their work. The summit focused on resilience, creativity, and support for startups.  

For Shettima, her experience at the summit was incredibly enriching. “Connecting with other changemakers and learning from their diverse journeys was both humbling and energizing,” Shettima said. A key takeaway for Shettima was the value of storytelling —how effectively sharing your mission can spark collaboration and scale.  

And Shettima’s mission is an important one. Farm Solution aims to empower women by streamlining the farming process. Growing up in a rural community, Shettima was a firsthand witness to the strength of women, and the potential to empower youth in agriculture. A movement towards empowerment has the potential to strengthen food security and drive long-term economic growth.  

Shettima hopes Farm Solution will stimulate sustainable development in northeastern Nigeria. “By equipping farmers with modern tools and knowledge, we aim to improve livelihoods, foster innovation, and inspire the next generation to see agriculture as a viable and dignified career path.”  

Shettima’s commitment to innovation highlights what’s possible when local knowledge meets forward-thinking technology. Her success at the Northeast Creativity and Innovation Summit is just one milestone in a broader mission to transform agriculture in Yobe State and beyond.