Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy (FMCIDE) has kicked off its AgriConnect initiative with a pilot program in Ogun State, aimed at digitally empowering farmers through real-time access to agronomic services, weather data, financial tools, and market intelligence.
Launched by Minister Dr. Bosun Tijani at the Ogun State Cultural Centre Complex, AgriConnect will initially benefit over 1,000 farmers selected from the Ogun State Farmers Information Management System (OGFIMS), which registers more than 160,000 farmers. The initiative is implemented in partnership with Huawei Technologies and MTN Nigeria, providing beneficiaries with mobile-data-enabled smart devices integrated with Huawei’s AI-powered tools and MTN’s connectivity.
Dr. Tijani emphasized AgriConnect’s role in bolstering food security and supporting Nigeria’s goal to cultivate 500,000 hectares of farmland. The pilot in Ogun State, a major cassava producer, will serve as a blueprint for scaling the program nationwide, aiming to include farmers from all regions in Nigeria’s digital economy.
AgriConnect embodies FMCIDE’s commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda to promote rural inclusion and leverage agriculture as a strategic sector. By combining AI, connectivity, and human-centred design, the program aspires to enhance food security, foster innovation, and improve livelihoods for smallholder farmers across Nigeria.
