Minister Calls for Digital Tech Revolution in Agriculture to Secure Food Future

The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, urgently advocates for the integration of digital technology into Nigeria’s farming industry to enhance food production, control inflation in food costs, and decrease reliance on imported foods.

On Thursday, during the Ogun Tech Forward Innovation & Startups Roundtable session held in Abeokuta, Tijani emphasized that Nigeria’s extensive agricultural lands and substantial populace can only be adequately utilized via technological interventions.

He cautioned that failing to adopt innovations could keep conventional farming methods inefficient and costly, thereby jeopardizing food security.

Technological innovations have already accounted for 16 to 18 percent, yet our target is set at 21 percent. It's essential to integrate our technological advancements into farming to ensure an adequate supply of food for everyone.

"Technology is essential for countries such as Nigeria to practice agriculture efficiently. Although we possess extensive lands, without technological assistance, we will not be able to perform well," the minister stated.

Tijani noted that the continuous rise in food prices and the country’s dependence on foreign exchange to import grains that can be grown locally is unsustainable.

He highlighted that utilizing technologies like mobile applications, drones, sensors, and data analysis has the potential to revolutionize Nigerian agriculture by facilitating precise farm management and offering up-to-date information about soil quality, pest management, plant vitality, and security against unauthorized access.

He argued that implementing these technologies would boost farming efficiency and sustainability, resulting in increased crop yields, reduced production expenses, and consequently, more accessible food prices for people in Nigeria.

The minister also made a broader case for inclusive innovation across the country, cautioning that Nigeria’s technological future cannot be shaped by a few urban centres alone.

He said the federal government would support emerging tech ecosystems, especially in states like Ogun, to ensure grassroots participation in the digital economy.

Tijani asserted, "It’s not wise to confine innovation solely to a select number of cities."

Each region of Nigeria, whether cities or countryside, needs to join the digital progression. By involving greater numbers of citizens, our nation will grow increasingly robust.

However, Tijani disclosed that the federal government will support Ogun Tech Hub’s plan to generate 300 jobs via business process outsourcing. This effort is part of a larger strategy to convert Nigerian states into 'talent hubs'.

He said, “If we don’t invest in our own people, we’ll keep depending on others for solutions.

“We must create space for local ideas to grow and become real businesses.”

The minister further called for the integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and drones into key sectors, particularly agriculture, while advocating for the adoption of generative AI in education to support personalised, accessible learning across communities.

In his remarks, the President of the Ogun Tech Community, Adekunle Durosinmi, called on the federal government to provide strategic support to accelerate the growth of the state’s digital ecosystem.

He encouraged the minister to help set up an effective innovation center along with a lasting secretariat aimed at fostering local startup companies.

Durosinmi emphasized the significant part that Ogun State plays within Nigeria’s economic structure, referring to it as a key industrial center and crucial transportation route connecting Lagos to the broader region and West Africa.

He stated that since 57 percent of its estimated 7.1 million people will be of working age, Ogun State has significant potential for digital advancement, employment generation, and young people's growth.

"Ogun State has a distinct advantage when it comes to becoming a national frontrunner in technology and entrepreneurship. With over 29 tertiary educational institutions—the highest number in the nation—we are inherently suited to be a hub for innovation," he stated.

Ever since its debut in February 2022 and subsequent official registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission, Durosimi mentioned that the Ogun Tech Community has spearheaded multiple programs designed to boost digital literacy, enhance cybersecurity awareness, and foster community-level technology involvement.

He observed that the community had established 19 active groups, covering areas such as developers, mentors, women in technology, and agricultural technology experts, all collaborating to promote equitable progress within the tech sector.

He restated the community’s support for the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill 2024, emphasizing that its initiatives, organizational framework, and promotion efforts aim at enhancing digital literacy, backing start-ups and small businesses, advancing e-government services, and driving ethical digital advancement.

He emphasized that working together with the government, industries, academic institutions, and the technology sector is essential for reaching the nation’s developmental objectives.

He showed gratitude for Tijani’s attendance at the roundtable, characterizing it as a strong sign of the federal government’s dedication to an innovative approach that includes everyone.

“We want to see such solutions replicated across the country. To accelerate this, we need your support. Ogun urgently needs a fully functioning physical secretariat and, importantly, a dedicated innovation hub to nurture and grow even more startups,” he said.

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