On the sidelines of the Nigerian Plant Breeders Association (NPBA) Conference held in Abuja recently, IITA-CGIAR hosted a press conference to celebrate the recent recognition of Dr Mercy Diebiru-Ojo, who won the 2025 Africa Food Prize (AFP) for her work on Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH).
The press conference brought together journalists, researchers, and agricultural stakeholders to highlight the significance of the award and its impact on African food systems. SAH, which Dr Diebiru-Ojo has championed, offers farmers quicker and more reliable access to clean, high-quality planting materials for cassava and yam, two crops that feed millions of households across the continent.
Speaking at the event, Dr Diebiru-Ojo expressed gratitude for the recognition and emphasized its collective nature: “This award is not just for me but for the incredible IITA teams and partners who are committed to ensuring that African farmers have better access to improved planting materials. It strengthens our resolve to keep driving impact where it matters most.”
IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, Dr Simeon Ehui, described the award as both a proud moment for IITA, CGIAR and a milestone for African agriculture. “Dr Diebiru-Ojo’s work demonstrates the power of research-driven innovation. SAH is more than a technology; it is a pathway to building resilient food systems and empowering farmers. We are proud of this recognition and remain committed to scaling solutions that transform lives,” he said.
Also in attendance was Professor Chiedozie Egesi, Director General of the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, who congratulated Dr Diebiru-Ojo and underscored the importance of collaboration. “This recognition highlights what can be achieved when institutions like NRCRI and IITA work together. Our shared mandate to improve root and tuber crops in Nigeria and across Africa is strengthened by innovations such as SAH, which will continue to deliver benefits to farmers and communities,” he remarked.
He stressed the critical importance of strategic partnerships to innovation scaling and delivering impact, adding that the existing partnership between IITA and NRCRI spanning decades has accelerated the development and delivery of improved root and tuber crop varieties. Together, the two institutions continue to advance technologies like SAH that hold promise for food security and farmer prosperity across Africa
The session not only celebrated Dr Diebiru-Ojo’s achievement but also highlighted the key role of research partnerships in advancing agricultural transformation. It marked a proud moment for IITA, NRCRI, and the broader plant breeding community working toward Africa’s food and nutrition security.
Contributed by ’Timilehin Osunde
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