Dr. Lekan Tobe, Country Director of Heifer International Nigeria, has emphasized the urgent need for increased technology adoption in agriculture to combat food insecurity and enhance sector efficiency. Speaking at the soft launch of the AYuTe Nigeria Challenge 2025 in Abuja, Tobe highlighted the pivotal role of technological innovations in revolutionizing agriculture and empowering young entrepreneurs.
The AYuTe Nigeria Challenge, an initiative by Heifer International, is designed to foster young agri-tech innovators in developing solutions to agricultural value chain challenges. Tobe explained that the programme is in line with Heifer’s mission to empower Nigeria’s youth to shape the future of agriculture through technology, driving efficiency, productivity, and job creation.
Technology, according to Tobe, is instrumental in modernizing Nigeria’s agricultural sector, addressing issues such as low productivity, value chain inefficiencies, and limited access to finance. Digital solutions enable farmers to enhance tracking systems, access real-time data on soil health and pest control, and reach broader markets, ultimately boosting food production. “We want to align ourselves with the programmes of the government, the vision of the government of Nigeria on food security. And to do that, you cannot run away from technology because it helps you to digitize, and digitization helps you to reach many more, and cover more ground than you would do without technology,” Tobe said.
Heifer International’s focus in Nigeria is on empowering young people to leverage technology for agricultural growth. With 60% of Nigeria’s population being youth, engaging them in agricultural innovation is crucial for the country’s food security. The AYuTe Challenge aims to inspire young Nigerians to use technology in solving these pressing issues. The competition offers a total prize pool of $40,000, with the first-place winner receiving $20,000, the first runner-up $12,000, and the second runner-up $8,000. However, Tobe stressed that the challenge is about more than just financial rewards. Many past winners have become programme partners, implementing solutions to agricultural challenges and attracting investments to scale their businesses.
Heifer International has introduced a follow-up programme to provide technical assistance and business development support to promising agri-tech startups. This initiative aims to ensure that viable ideas do not fade away after the competition but develop into sustainable businesses. Tobe acknowledged that some top-10 finalists from previous editions struggled to sustain their innovations, highlighting the need for ongoing support.
The AYuTe Nigeria Challenge is open to all agricultural solutions, including disease and pest control, soil health management, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability. Heifer’s goal is to encourage young innovators to develop technologies that address key constraints in agriculture and improve the entire food system. Reflecting on the challenges faced since launching the programme in Nigeria, Tobe acknowledged that some top-10 finalists from previous editions struggled to sustain their innovations. To address this, Heifer International has introduced a follow-up programme that provides technical assistance and business development support to promising agri-tech startups.
