The Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, officially launched the AgriConnect Initiative yesterday at the Cultural Centre Complex in Ogun State. This groundbreaking program aims to digitally empower Nigerian farmers by providing real-time access to agronomic services, weather forecasts, financial tools, and market intelligence.

AgriConnect’s pilot phase, implemented in collaboration with Huawei Technologies and MTN Nigeria, represents a significant step in integrating technology into Nigeria’s agricultural sector. Initially, over 1,000 farmers from the Ogun State Farmers Information Management System (OGFIMS)—which has more than 160,000 registered farmers—will benefit from the program. Each participant will receive smart, mobile-data-enabled devices equipped with Huawei’s AI-driven tools and MTN-supported connectivity, helping them optimize planting strategies, mitigate risks, and streamline interactions with government data centers.

At the launch event, Dr. Tijani highlighted AgriConnect’s role in fostering inclusive economic growth. He emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to food security, along with the ambitious goal of cultivating 500,000 hectares of farmland, requires technological advancements to maximize productivity. The pilot program in Ogun State serves as a foundation for scaling the AgriConnect model across other regions, ensuring that farmers nationwide benefit from digital innovation.

Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, praised the initiative, noting that it is not merely about distributing gadgets but about transforming agricultural efficiency, boosting productivity, and strengthening the cassava value chain. He reiterated Ogun State’s leadership in cassava production and agricultural innovation, calling AgriConnect a key driver in the state’s One State, One Product agenda.

AgriConnect aligns with the Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy’s commitment to rural inclusion under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu. By integrating AI, connectivity, and human-centered design, the initiative offers a scalable model for enhancing food security, advancing technological innovation, and improving livelihoods for smallholder farmers nationwide.

The launch event was attended by key dignitaries, including Ogun State Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu (representing Ogun Central Senatorial District), and Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Digital, Information Communication Technology, and Cybersecurity.