The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, has called for the deliberate and inclusive adoption of digital technologies to drive sustainable transformation in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. Prof. Kehinde made the call while delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 59th Annual Hybrid Conference and General Business Meeting of the Agricultural Society of Nigeria (ASN), held on October 22, 2025, at Umudike, Abia State.
Addressing researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders from across the country, Prof. Kehinde emphasised that Nigeria must integrate traditional farming practices with modern digital tools to enhance productivity, ensure food security, and foster economic growth. He stated that the nation’s agricultural future depends on its ability to merge indigenous knowledge with emerging technologies for sustainable development.
The 59th ASN Conference, themed “Advancing Innovative Technologies, Skills and the Digital Economy for Livelihood Diversification in Agriculture,” was jointly hosted by the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), and the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI). The event brought together leading experts and stakeholders in agriculture to deliberate on the future of innovation, technology, and skill acquisition in the sector.
Prof. Kehinde, a renowned Plant Breeder and Geneticist, described agriculture as the backbone of rural Nigeria and the cornerstone of food security. He, however, lamented that the sector’s productivity remains low due to poor mechanisation, limited access to finance, weak research-to-farm linkages, poor infrastructure, and insecurity affecting rural communities.
He revealed that between 2020 and 2024, Nigeria imported agricultural products worth ₦10.96 trillion while exporting only ₦7.05 trillion, calling the imbalance “unsustainable.” According to him, such dependency threatens food sovereignty and underscores the urgent need to reimagine the nation’s agricultural system through innovation and reform.
To address the sector’s challenges, Prof. Kehinde proposed a four-pillar strategy centred on innovation, human capital development, inclusive technology adoption, and institutional synergy. He explained that these pillars, if effectively implemented, could reposition Nigeria’s agricultural sector to become more productive, competitive, and sustainable.
Highlighting the first pillar, innovation, the Vice-Chancellor noted that research findings must go beyond academic journals to reach the farmlands. He called for the use of digital platforms, drones, sensors, and mobile applications to enable farmers to make informed, data-driven decisions that improve yields and reduce risks.
On the second pillar, human capital development, Prof. Kehinde stressed that technology alone cannot transform agriculture without capable human resources. “Technology, no matter how sophisticated, cannot thrive in isolation. Its success depends on the people who understand, use, and sustain it,” he said. He therefore urged the strengthening of agricultural education, digital literacy programmes, and extension services across the country.
For inclusive technology adoption, he called for nationwide access to affordable digital tools, improved broadband connectivity in rural areas, and policies that encourage innovation-driven youth participation. He recommended the creation of shared mechanisation and drone service hubs, agribusiness clusters, and venture funds to support young agripreneurs.
On institutional synergy, Prof. Kehinde advocated for stronger collaboration among government agencies, research institutions, and private investors. He urged reforms in land ownership, financing, and subsidy systems to create enabling environments for scalable and sustainable agribusiness operations across ecological zones.
He envisioned a future where Nigerian smallholder farmers utilise sensors, mobile apps, and cooperative-based systems to improve productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and access financial and market opportunities. “The future of agriculture is not in choosing between tradition and science but in fusing them,” he concluded, emphasising that technological adoption must be inclusive.
Representing the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. (Dr.) Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (CON), the Provost of the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, Enugu State, Dr. Jude Obidiegwu, commended ASN for bridging the gap between science and agricultural practice. He urged stronger partnerships between stakeholders to sustain innovation in the sector.
The conference also featured remarks from the Vice-Chancellor of MOUAU, Prof. Maduebibisi Iwe, and the Executive Director of NRCRI, Prof. Chiedozie Egesi, both of whom emphasised the need to make agriculture more appealing to Nigerian youths through digital transformation.
The highlight of the event was the conferment of Fellowship Awards on distinguished scholars, including Prof. Maduebibisi Iwe, Prof. Lateef Sanni of the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), Prof. Jonathan Atungwu of the Federal College of Agriculture, Ibadan (FCAIB), and former ASUU President, Prof. Victor Osodeke.
The week-long ASN Conference, which runs from October 21 to 25, 2025, aims to serve as a strategic platform for advancing innovation, shaping agricultural policy dialogue, and strengthening Nigeria’s food security framework through the integration of modern digital technologies.
