The Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, yesterday launched the AgriConnect Initiative at the Cultural Centre Complex in Ogun State. AgriConnect is a transformative programme designed to digitally empower Nigerian farmers through real-time access to agronomic services, weather insights, financial tools, and market intelligence. The pilot scheme, implemented in partnership with Huawei Technologies and MTN Nigeria, marks a major milestone in the Ministry’s drive to integrate technology into Nigeria’s agricultural value chains.

AgriConnect will initially benefit over 1,000 farmers, selected from the Ogun State Farmers Information Management System (OGFIMS), with over 160,000 registered farmers. Each beneficiary will receive mobile-data enabled smart devices, embedded with Huawei’s AI-powered tools and MTN-supported connectivity to enable smarter planting, better risk mitigation, and streamlined communication with government data centres.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani noted that AgriConnect exemplifies how targeted digital interventions can drive inclusive economic growth. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has placed food security at the heart of our national development strategy, and with a bold target of cultivating 500,000 hectares of land, the agriculture sector must now rise to meet its full potential,” he said.

“But land and labour alone will not get us to where we need to be. Productivity requires precision, and that is where innovation comes in. As we build out the framework from this pilot in Ogun State, we aim to scale the AgriConnect model across other states—ensuring that every farmer, regardless of geography, has the opportunity to benefit from the digital economy,” he added.

“These are not just gadgets; they are tools of transformation,” said the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun during the launch event. “With this programme, we are boosting productivity, promoting efficiency, and fortifying the cassava value chain. Ogun State is proud to lead in cassava production and equally proud to lead in agricultural innovation. The AgriConnect Initiative is a game-changer that aligns perfectly with our One State, One Product agenda.”

The AgriConnect Initiative reflects the Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy’s commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to promote rural inclusion and leverage Nigeria’s comparative advantage in agriculture. By fusing AI, connectivity, and human-centred design, AgriConnect stands as a scalable model for advancing food security, driving innovation, and improving livelihoods for smallholder farmers across the country.

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