As an institute committed to partnerships with both government and the private sector, IITA–CGIAR was pleased to host Nigeria’s Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, at its headquarters in Ibadan on 2 May. The Minister’s visit aimed to explore how digital innovation can be leveraged to transform agricultural outcomes in Nigeria through strategic collaboration between the Ministry and IITA.
Welcoming the Minister, Former IITA Deputy Director General, Partnerships for Delivery, Kenton Dashiell, encouraged staff to consider how IITA could support the Ministry’s success. “There is great potential for a strong partnership,” he said, noting Dr Tijani’s dual role as a policymaker and a farmer.
Deputy Director General for Corporate Services, Hilde Koper, introduced IITA’s scope through a documentary highlighting the Institute’s regional activities across sub-Saharan Africa. Senior scientists and program leaders then shared insights into their work. Director for West Africa, Michael Abberton, 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.
Delphine Amah, 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 emphasized IITA’s release of 78 climate-resilient and nutritious maize varieties, proposing further collaboration to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported animal feed.
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. “Digital agriculture is changing young people’s perception of the sector,” she noted.
BIP Head of Administration and Corporate Governance, Wole Oladokun, explained the Business Incubation Platform’s (BIP) role in bridging science and agribusiness through partnerships and entrepreneurial training. Head of IITA’s Communication Office, Katherine Lopez, presented the Institute’s hybrid communication approach, including RadioIITA, IITA TV, and farmer outreach platforms like OGFIMS, which has reached over 160,000 farmers in Ogun State.
In response, Dr Tijani emphasized the critical role of agriculture in Nigeria’s future. “With a growing population, we must prioritize science and research to feed our people and create jobs,” he said, noting that the government had already funded 55 AI-related research projects.
Following a tour of IITA’s facilities—including the Genetic Resources Center, bioscience labs, plantain/banana research site, and the Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH) cassava greenhouse—Dr Tijani praised the Institute’s technological innovations. “The work here has the potential to truly contribute to managing the global food crisis,” he remarked.
He expressed enthusiasm for future collaboration, including scaling medium to large-scale farms, leveraging RadioIITA, and adopting IITA’s technologies on his farm. “We are blessed to have you on the continent,” he said.
Dashiell closed the visit by reaffirming IITA’s commitment to supporting the Ministry’s vision for digitally transforming agriculture in Nigeria. This visit begins a promising partnership to empower farmers, enhance productivity, and build resilient food systems.
Contributed by Ochuwa Favour Daramola
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