{"id":18097,"date":"2026-06-20T13:01:47","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T13:01:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.iita.org\/news-item\/minister-of-communication-innovation-and-digital-economy-explores-strategic-partnership-opportunities-with-iita-in-agriculture\/"},"modified":"2026-06-29T16:54:04","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T16:54:04","slug":"minister-of-communication-innovation-and-digital-economy-explores-strategic-partnership-opportunities-with-iita-in-agriculture","status":"publish","type":"news-item","link":"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/minister-of-communication-innovation-and-digital-economy-explores-strategic-partnership-opportunities-with-iita-in-agriculture\/","title":{"rendered":"Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy explores strategic partnership opportunities with IITA in agriculture"},"content":{"rendered":"

As an institute committed to partnerships with both government and the private sector, IITA<\/a>\u2013CGIAR<\/a> was pleased to host Nigeria\u2019s Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, at its headquarters in Ibadan on 2 May. The Minister\u2019s visit aimed to explore how digital innovation can be leveraged to transform agricultural outcomes in Nigeria through strategic collaboration between the Ministry and IITA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"An
An introductory meeting of IITA to the Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Welcoming the Minister, Former IITA Deputy Director General, Partnerships for Delivery, Kenton Dashiell<\/a>, encouraged staff to consider how IITA could support the Ministry\u2019s success. \u201cThere is great potential for a strong partnership,\u201d he said, noting Dr Tijani\u2019s dual role as a policymaker and a farmer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Directeur g\u00e9n\u00e9ral adjoint des services g\u00e9n\u00e9raux, Hilde Koper<\/a>, introduced IITA\u2019s scope through a documentary highlighting the Institute\u2019s regional activities across sub-Saharan Africa. Senior scientists and program leaders then shared insights into their work. Director for West Africa, Michael Abberton<\/a>, highlighted the activities of IITA in the West Africa hub, including some of the digital tools developed by the hub, such as the IITA Seed Tracker and other plant health apps aimed at improving farming systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delphine Amah<\/a>, a Plantain Breeder, highlighted breeding efforts in the plantain and banana programs to improve food security through high-yielding varieties and agronomic practices. Maize Breeder Abebe Menkir<\/a> emphasized IITA\u2019s release of 78 climate-resilient and nutritious maize varieties, proposing further collaboration to reduce Nigeria\u2019s dependence on imported animal feed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Head of the IITA Youth in Agribusiness (IYA) program, Tola Adenmosun, showcased how IITA drives youth engagement in agriculture through innovation and strategic partnerships with AFDB, IFAD, and the Mastercard Foundation. \u201cDigital agriculture is changing young people\u2019s perception of the sector,\u201d she noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"
Tijani visits the Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH) cassava greenhouse, as he tours IITA facilities<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BIP Head of Administration and Corporate Governance, Wole Oladokun, explained the Business Incubation Platform\u2019s (BIP)<\/a> role in bridging science and agribusiness through partnerships and entrepreneurial training. Head of IITA\u2019s Communication Office, Katherine Lopez, presented the Institute\u2019s hybrid communication approach, including RadioIITA, IITA TV, and farmer outreach platforms like OGFIMS, which has reached over 160,000 farmers in Ogun State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In response, Dr Tijani emphasized the critical role of agriculture in Nigeria\u2019s future. \u201cWith a growing population, we must prioritize science and research to feed our people and create jobs,\u201d he said, noting that the government had already funded 55 AI-related research projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following a tour of IITA\u2019s facilities\u2014including the Genetic Resources Center, bioscience labs, plantain\/banana research site, and the Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH) cassava greenhouse\u2014Dr Tijani praised the Institute\u2019s technological innovations. \u201cThe work here has the potential to truly contribute to managing the global food crisis,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He expressed enthusiasm for future collaboration, including scaling medium to large-scale farms, leveraging RadioIITA, and adopting IITA\u2019s technologies on his farm. \u201cWe are blessed to have you on the continent,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dashiell closed the visit by reaffirming IITA\u2019s commitment to supporting the Ministry\u2019s vision for digitally transforming agriculture in Nigeria. This visit begins a promising partnership to empower farmers, enhance productivity, and build resilient food systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contribu\u00e9 par Ochuwa Favour Daramola<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As an institute committed to partnerships with both government and the private sector, IITA-CGIAR was pleased to host Nigeria\u2019s Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital 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