In a concerted effort to bolster Nigeria’s food system, stakeholders in the technology sector have urged the federal government to provide policy support to expedite agri-tech innovation and bridge productivity gaps. This call was made by Uka Eje, CEO of ThriveAgric, during the Abuja Tech Converge (ATC) 3.0 event held recently.
Eje emphasized that while emerging technologies are revolutionizing industries worldwide, Nigeria must proactively establish enabling structures to cultivate tech talent capable of addressing agricultural challenges. The ATC has already trained nearly 1,000 young individuals out of over 50,000 applicants in crucial digital and product development skills. However, Eje pointed out that the lack of technology-focused education in schools hampers the scalability of these initiatives.
“We have a massive skills gap. If technology is going to transform agriculture and other sectors, then tech education must be mainstreamed in primary schools, secondary schools, and universities,” Eje stated. He further highlighted that while innovators are developing solutions, many are not yet investment-ready, leading to a persistent funding gap in the tech and agri-tech space. Eje stressed the need for policies that enhance talent development, support co-creation, and assist innovators in building businesses that can attract capital and scale.
Akinsoode Akiwande, Head Digital at OCP Africa, echoed these sentiments, noting that Nigeria’s agricultural sector offers immense opportunities for innovation but grapples with longstanding productivity challenges. He cited fertilizer usage as an example, where Nigeria applies less than 30kg per hectare, significantly below the global average of nearly 300kg. “We cannot close this gap without technology. But adoption remains a big challenge,” Akiwande said.
He underscored the necessity for innovation, investment, and leadership, with government policy playing a pivotal role in providing the necessary structure for young innovators to thrive. Akiwande called for more innovation hubs across the country, where young agri-tech and digital talents can refine their ideas, receive mentorship, and become investment-ready. “Many young people have brilliant ideas, but they’re not yet business-ready. The private sector is doing a lot, but the government is better positioned to drive nationwide systems that support learning, protect intellectual property, and guide innovation growth,” he added.
The implications of these calls are significant. By integrating technology-focused education into the school curriculum, Nigeria can cultivate a generation of tech-savvy individuals equipped to tackle agricultural challenges. Additionally, fostering innovation hubs and providing policy support can create an ecosystem where agri-tech startups can flourish, attract investment, and scale their solutions. This, in turn, can enhance agricultural productivity, improve food security, and contribute to the overall economic development of the country.