MTN Foundation, FG and Ogun Government Empower 1,000 Farmers Through Digital Agriculture
The MTN Foundation, in collaboration with the Federal Government and Ogun State Government, has launched AgriConnect—a digital agriculture initiative aimed at empowering 1,000 smallholder farmers with mobile-based agricultural tools and knowledge.
The project, launched on Wednesday at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta, will provide selected farmers with access to real-time weather updates, market prices, and best agricultural practices using digital devices. This initiative is a joint effort between the MTN Foundation, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the Ogun State Government, and Huawei Nigeria Ltd.
Boosting Productivity Through Technology
Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, described AgriConnect as a solution to bridge the gap between rural farmers and digital innovation.
“Through AgriConnect, we are equipping smallholder farmers with mobile-enabled intelligence that improves yields and boosts incomes,” Sanya stated.
She also noted that MTN Foundation has invested over ₦32 billion in projects across health, education, and economic empowerment since 2004, impacting over 33 million Nigerians.
Ogun State’s Commitment to Agriculture
Governor Dapo Abiodun, who spoke at the launch, reiterated his administration’s dedication to agricultural development. He revealed that the 1,000 farmers were randomly selected from the Ogun State Farmers’ Information Management System (FIMS)—Nigeria’s first digital farmer database with over 160,000 registered farmers.
He highlighted the state’s achievements, including support for 12,466 cassava farmers, mechanization for over 4,000 hectares of land, and distribution of 196,000 bundles of cassava stems, nearly 7,000 bags of fertilizer, and more than 60,000 litres of agrochemicals.
“AgriConnect is not just about technology—it’s about giving farmers the power to make informed decisions, increase their yields, and improve their livelihoods.” — Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director, MTN Foundation.
Data-Driven Farming for Food Security
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, applauded the initiative and stressed the importance of using data to drive farming decisions. He noted that smart agriculture is key to meeting Nigeria’s food production goals.
“Agriculture today requires data-driven decisions. A single week delay in planting can lead to significant losses,” Tijani explained.
AgriConnect offers hope for smallholder farmers in Nigeria, proving that digital tools and strategic partnerships can boost food security and rural incomes. With Ogun State leading the way, this initiative could become a model for nationwide agricultural transformation.
