From digital soil mapping and nutrient management to decision-support tools for farmers and policymakers, the focus of soil science is increasingly shifting from generating information to applying it. At the 50th Annual Conference of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria (SSSN), IITA co-led that conversation. Through a keynote paper, a masterclass, and technical presentations—showcasing new research focusing on turning soil information into practical decisions.
With one message: soil data matters only when it informs decisions, IITA scientists highlighted how turning soil data into actionable insights can drive more productive, resilient, and sustainable agricultural systems at the Golden Jubilee conference.
The conference, themed “Innovations in soil science for climate resilience, nutritional security and national development,” brought together researchers, policymakers, development partners and private sector actors. It was declared open by the Honorable Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi. SSSN President, Prof. Jibrin M. Jibrin, who also serves as an IITA consultant under the Regional Hub for Fertilizer and Soil Health for West Africa and the Sahel, welcomed delegates, and the keynote address was delivered by Dr Abdulhamid Umar, National Project Coordinator of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project.
From continental evidence to national action
Dr Samuel Mesele, IITA Soil Scientist, delivered one of the conference’s two lead papers, titled “Reading Africa’s Soils, Reimagining Nigeria’s Future: From Continental Evidence to National Action.” He traced the evolution of soil information systems across Africa and the case for coordinated action against soil degradation. Solutions to soil degradation are well established, he noted, yet adoption of sustainable soil management practices remains low, as the State of the World’s Soil Resources 2026 report shows.
Drawing on the continental soil survey conducted under the Soils4Africa project, Dr Mesele showed how harmonized, accessible and interoperable soil data can support evidence-based decisions. He also highlighted the roles of the Regional Hub for Fertilizer and Soil Health for West Africa and the Sahel, and the African Union Soil Observatory (AUSO), in translating soil information into practical recommendations for farmers and other end users. “Understanding Africa’s soils gives us the evidence to guide action,” he concluded. “Reimagining Nigeria’s future means translating that evidence into coordinated, practical and sustainable interventions.”
Turning soil data into decisions
IITA also helped shape a first for the Society. Dr Mesele co-facilitated the inaugural SSSN Masterclass with Prof. James Jayeoba and Prof. Godwin Ajiboye, titled “From Soil Data to Decision: Practical Soil Information Systems for Sustainable Agriculture and Land Management in Nigeria.”
The interactive session covered how to generate reliable soil data, interpret soil indicators, and apply the results to farm and land management. Participants explored how soil information can guide agricultural planning, inform investment decisions, and support soil conservation.
The central takeaway was the need to move beyond data collection. Soil information creates value when it reaches the people making decisions about land, inputs and investment.
IITA Research Fellows share new findings
Two IITA Research Fellows from the Soil Management Unit in Ibadan also presented their work on digital soil information and site-specific nutrient management during the technical sessions. Abosede Busayo Babatunde used soil fertility and land degradation risk mapping under the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) program to show how digital soil information can guide crop suitability and development priorities in southwestern Nigeria, while Olufolajimi Alofun compared soil phosphorus extractants to improve phosphorus assessment and support site-specific fertilizer recommendations for maize in tropical Alfisols.
Looking ahead
The lessons shared at conference are already traveling. Dr Mesele also serves as Technical Lead for the Liberia Land and Soil Resources Knowledge Project (Soils4Liberia), led by IITA in partnership with national and international organizations. The project is building Liberia’s first comprehensive land and soil information system, applying approaches refined through Soils4Africa to a country where modern soil data remains limited.
As Nigeria’s soil science community marks five decades, IITA remains committed to making soil information accurate, accessible and useful, from the laboratory to the farm.
About the IITA Soil Management Unit
The Soil Management Unit at IITA headquarters in Ibadan generates soil data, maps and fertility recommendations that support sustainable land management and farm productivity in sub-Saharan Africa. Its work spans continental initiatives such as Soils4Africa, national programs such as Soils4Liberia and SAPZ, and the Regional Hub for Fertilizer and Soil Health for West Africa and the Sahel.
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