The Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Bureau of ICT and Digital Innovation, Mrs Raheemat Adabanija, has urged Nigerian youths to embrace digital technologies to transform agriculture into a globally competitive and profitable enterprise.
Adabanija gave the advice in Ibadan on Friday while delivering the keynote address at a special Gown and Town Seminar organised by the Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology (CPEB), University of Ibadan (UI).
The event has the theme “Pathways to Digitalising Agricultural Entrepreneurship Without Borders.”
She said digital transformation, driven by artificial intelligence, robotics, the Internet of Things, big data and automation, was revolutionising agriculture and creating new opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
According to her, agriculture is no longer limited to crop cultivation and livestock production but has evolved into a knowledge-driven enterprise capable of addressing climate change, food security and sustainable development.
Adabanija urged young people to leverage mobile applications, e-commerce platforms, precision farming technologies and social media marketing to produce, process and market agricultural products beyond Nigeria’s borders.
“Digital agriculture is no longer the future; it is today’s reality. Farmers can now remotely monitor crops, predict weather patterns, detect diseases early, automate irrigation systems and access wider markets through technology,” she said.
Representing the Vice-Chancellor UI, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, the Director of Academic Planning, Prof. Abiodun Ayodele, said universities must increasingly rely on partnerships with alumni, development partners and the private sector to sustain teaching, research and infrastructure.
He commended the department for attracting external support to execute projects that would benefit students and the larger society.
Also, the Dean of Faculty of Agriculture, UI, Prof. Tolu Ososanya lauded the initiative and the administration of the department under Prof. Morufat Balogun, who with other colleagues in the department has recorded tremendous success in the last four years.
Ososanya also appreciated the donors and sponsors who have partnered with the department for providing resources that would enhance teaching and learning for students.
Earlier, the Head of the Department CPEB, Prof. Morufat Balogun, said the seminar was conceived to bridge the gap between research findings and their practical application while exposing youths to opportunities in agribusiness.
Balogun said the department had also initiated youth entrepreneurship programmes in seed production and mushroom cultivation to equip students with practical skills for self-reliance.
Also speaking, the Managing Partner of Sahel Consulting, Mr Temi Adegoroye, said strengthening agricultural value chains through improved seed systems and technology adoption would create jobs, increase productivity and boost Nigeria’s agricultural competitiveness.
“Technology was not replacing agriculture but enabling farmers and agribusinesses to scale production, create jobs and improve profitability,” Adegoroye said.
He identified digital tools for seed certification, traceability and farm management as innovations capable of strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural ecosystem and attracting investment.
In a goodwill message, the Director International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Prof. Michael Abberton reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining collaboration with the University of Ibadan in youth training, research and agricultural innovation.
The Abberton who was represented by Dr Beatrice Aighewi, PROSSIVA Project , Head of IITA Abuja Station, encouraged participants to maximise the opportunities provided by the initiative and contribute to building a more productive agricultural sector.
The event also featured the inauguration of Youth4Climate initiatives, commissioning of projects and recognition of individuals and organisations that had contributed to the department’s development.
Some of the projects inaugurated include hybrid solar/inverter powered cold room for Yam seed storage, screen houses, Ultra filtered water purification system, upgrade of laboratory and seminar room among others.