Avsnitt
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Summary
This conversation delves into the appraisal and analysis of the Nigerian agriculture budget for 2025-2026, focusing on its implications for farmers, food security, and the overall economy. The discussion features insights from agricultural professionals on the effectiveness of past budgets, the importance of accountability, and the need for strategic investments in the agricultural sector. Key themes include the role of smallholder farmers, cottage industries significance, value addition, post harvest losses, mechanization, purchasing power of the budget, the necessity for fiscal responsibility, disbursement matching allocation, and local and state governments focus.
Moderators:
Toheeb Azeez, Founder & CEO of Heebgrow Foods and The Lasgidi Farmer PodcastAlfred Ukane, Founder Chuvaak Agro Services & CEO Melora FarmsAfeez Olumide Garuba, Founder Voice of The FarmersGuest Speakers
Oluwaseun Adeyemi (Seun): Wealth management professional at CI Financial in Canada. Jerry Tobi Olanrewaju: Jet Farms & Agro Solutions Ltd, Founder of Farm2C Africa, & D’More Food and Spices (nutrition-focused value addition).Background
This is a sequel, 2nd Edition, to the first of its kind and edition held last year 2025 appraising the Nigerian agriculture budget.
This event sought to promote 2026 agriculture budget productivity, effectiveness, performance, and impact by appraising the previous year's budget and performance, learning from what failed, what worked and adapting lessons for current one.
One failure highlighted was disbursement not matching allocation and important projects starved of critical funds but while ambiguous items seized funds and never executed.
The discussion also analyzed the present budget which nearly doubled from last year reaching 1.45 trillion and with greater percentage share of the national budget.
We deliberated on whether this budget increase had much to offer and also the real purchasing power of the budget looking at different macroeconomic indices -inflation, exchange rates and production cost, etc. -from last year, and deduced that despite a higher exchange rates the purchasing power was still better with stable rates but considered the implication of importation of important inputs for farming not manufactured locally.
The budget failing to attain recommendation percentage was underscored but the increase was lauded, however, productive use of funds was emphasized.
We also looked at the incredible budgets items for instance the Renewed Hope, agric ministry HQ construction and thought the funds could be redirected to cottage industries, value addition and addressing wastages, mechanization and extension.
The need for long planning, policy transition, and accountability focusing on local government and state chapter of federal agriculture ministry were stressed.
Takeaways
The 2025/26 Nigerian agriculture budget aims to enhance food security and support farmers.Accountability in budget allocation is crucial for effective implementation.Cottage industries can significantly improve farmers' profitability.Cold chain development is essential to reduce post-harvest losses.Investment in agriculture must focus on practical outcomes for smallholder farmers.The government should prioritize fiscal responsibility in budget management.Agricultural policies need to be consistent and long-term to be effective.Local governments play a vital role in agricultural development and must be held accountable.The budget should reflect the needs of farmers and not be politicized.Collaboration between government and private sectors is necessary for agricultural growth.Sound bites
"We need to focus on industrialization."
"The budget is good, but we can do more."
"We need a 25-year agricultural plan."
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This was an urgent conversation to address the ongoing cocoa crisis where prices have plummeted and cocoa farmers, especially in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, have been most affected and unable to sell their stocks, which have had significant impacts on their livelihoods and lives.
We attempted at the causal factors of the crisis but also perused the differences in impact experienced by the Ghanaian cocoa farmers and Cote d’Ivoire cocoa farmers as lamentation in the public were mostly by the former.
In 2022, Cocoa price at the international market was $2,000. The price began seeing sharp rise with severe disease outbreaks –swollen shoot virus and black pod disease –that affected cocoa production and harvest. This was worsened by poor weather conditions (El-nino).
Cocoa requires moderate temperature for proper growth, and fermentation of seeds. Aging and low productive trees and production method added to these issues to constrain cocoa supply. This created scarcity for price rally –the largest cocoa global supply deficit in 60yrs.
With apprehension and speculations price reached $10,000 in early 2024 and exceeded $12,000 by April 2024, a record high of over 117% not seen in the last 50yrs. However, price hassince dropped 60% in past year to about $3,700 today. This while low is still above the $2,000 price at the onset of the rally.
Farmers that have stock when the prices were high and still have stocks today when price is $3,700 above 2022's $2,000 are still unable to get buyers for their commodities.
Africa produces 90% of the world’s cocoa, and Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana are the largest producers representing 70%of global productions. Thus, it can be seen how a dampened market would affect them.
Cote d’Ivoire produces the most cocoa with over 2 million tonnes and with Ghana coming 2nd with 860,000 tonnes.However, Ghanaian farmers complained most with the cocoa crisis. The host Toheeb Azeez asked Co-host Gbenga why this.
Gbenga explained it had to do with the different modes of financing where for Cote d’Ivoire the government buys the cocoa from the farmers but that of Ghana is paid for by international lenders and aggregators through collateralized purchase of future exports and fresh harvest. The international lenders provide syndicate loans mediated by the Ghana Cocoa Commodity Board (COCOBOD) and where the government stands in as surety.
The international lenders provide about $2 billion credit for Ghana cocoa farmers yearly. It enables and sustains production and creates a ready, stable market for the farmers.However, as the market plummeted the buyers refused to buy and where many have faulted the lenders for ceasing to buy, saying if prices had gone higher but the cocoa beans already collateralized and purchased at lower prices the agreement would still stand.
International buyers refused to buy Ghana’s cocoa to higher prices, with a normalized market where supply improved with the weather now favourable and countries as Cote d'Ivoire and Nigeria improving productions and retailing at lower prices. A speculative strategy led by COCOBOD's price hike, speculators exiting, strengthened currency making Ghana cocoa less attractive to buyers, etc. left the farmers in a bad shape. The board now has a total debt of GH₵ 31.9 billion.
We however called out that this does not justify price injustice to farmers. Farmers wailed despite price rally to highest peak for a year and half. The cocoa farmers realize less than a dollar a day. Ghanaian farmers consistently received lower than 40% of market value for cocoa during the global price surge.
We deliberated on the place for justice, equality and indigenous processing to trap in earnings, and a restructured market serving Africa and especially Nigeria, where Africa consumes $3.3 million tonnes of chocolate worth $16 billion and Nigeria $40 million chocolate. Also whether Ghana pulling out from international financing and reengineering local financing could work.
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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Summary
In this conversation, Toheeb Azeez (host) and Adekanmi Adesuyi (Sam, the Guest) discuss the evolving economic landscape between Nigeria and Canada, emphasizing the importance of global engagement, agricultural practices, and the need for youth involvement in farming. The dialogue explores the challenges faced by Nigeria's economy, the lessons that can be learned from Canada's economic and agricultural successes, and the potential for strengthening trade relations between the two countries. The dialogue highlights the significance of innovative practices and infrastructure investment in addressing food security and economic growth. Also discussed were the potential for trade and collaboration between Nigeria and Canada, emphasizing the need for Nigeria to achieve food self-sufficiency and local production before focusing on exports and partnerships. The conversation highlighted the importance of energy collaboration, technological exchange, and the role of the private sector in driving agricultural growth. Sam stressed the necessity of consistent agricultural policies and innovation to improve productivity and create a sustainable economy. He advocates for a strong public-private partnership to harness Nigeria's resources effectively and build a robust agricultural sector.
Background
This conversation explored the Canadian and Nigerian Agrifood Markets and opportunities for collaborations.
The conversation is timely as Nigeria begins to engage globally, opening a historic sovereign pavilion, the Nigerian House Davos at the World Economic Forum 2026, where it seeks investments and partnerships but one founded on respect and mutual benefits.
Canada appears a suitable candidate professing such ethos seeking new partnerships, with trade hostilities from the United States.
Nigeria and Canada have much in common, endowed with resources, powerhouses for oil and agricultural productions and exports powering the world economy, beautiful, multicultural and strategically positioned attracting visits and investments.These features also make them ground of geopolitical concern and influence and susceptible to global economic disruptions.The geopolitical conflicts, trade war, energy insecurity, and domestic issues -political instability and rising nationalism, inflation, interest rates and infrastructure gap are impacting production landscape and affecting food systems, output and demand. This conversation looked at factors shaping events in respective countries and their effects, what can be learnt and adopted, to build resilience, and also cement and boost trade between both countries that already conduct bilateral trade, one valued at $3.5 billion.
Sound Bites
"We need to build ourselves."
"We can build unimaginable things in Nigeria."
"We have to have what we want to give -negotiating from a place of value is better."
"No one is coming to save us. Only Africa will develop Africa."
"Government must find a way to make private sector work."
"In other climes governments depend on businesses, but here businesses depend on governments."
#GlobalEngagement #Nigeria #WorldEconomicForum #InternationalRelations #Respect #Dignity #Partnerships #Podcast #EngageWithUs #Innovation #Canada #EconomicGrowth #Collaboration #Farming #Podcast #SustainableDevelopment #JoinTheConversation #SocialInclusion #Podcast #EconomicJustice #ListenAndShare #Future #Leadership #YourThoughts #AgrifoodMarket #Agribusiness #PublicPrivatePartnerships #ArtificialIntelligence #CreativeEconomy #EnergySecurity #Insecurity #MarketCarneyDavosSpeech #MiddlePowers
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Summary
This conversation explores the intersection of health, nutrition, and lifestyle, focusing on the pressing health crises in Nigeria, including non-communicable diseases and infectious diseases. The discussion emphasizes the importance of nutrition in disease prevention, the impact of lifestyle choices on health, particularly fertility, and the role of community education and government in promoting healthy practices. Practical steps for healthier living are also highlighted, including dietary changes and the importance of gut health.
Background
Nigeria grapples with persistent infectious diseases (malaria, cholera, Lassa fever, STIs, etc.) and a sharp rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, hypertension, heart conditions, prostate cancer, hormonal imbalances).
Life expectancy hovers at 54 to 56 years far below global averages while NCDs drive massive economic losses through productivity drops, catastrophic household costs, and premature deaths.
Malnutrition worsens it all, about 32% of children under 5 are stunted, nearly 2 million face severe acute malnutrition (SAM), exclusive breastfeeding is only 29-34%, and undernutrition among women of reproductive age contributes to Nigeria's high maternal mortality share.
Also, men face particular risks from prostate cancer, heart disease, and diabetes often linked to lifestyle and late detection, while women bear heavy burdens from hormonal issues, infertility (10-30% of couples), and maternal deaths tied to undernutrition.
Early nutritional gaps combined with modern lifestyle factors (sedentary habits, processed diets, stress, social dynamics) fuel these interconnected risk, however, change is possible through evidence-based action.
Our Guest Olubukola Poopola helps to understand these issues and address them.
She is the Founder, CEO & Lead Trainer of a specialized club, Top-Total Fitness & Wellness dedicated to helping expectant and aspiring mothers achieve optimal reproductive health, through tailored routines, nutritional guidance, and wellness coaching, she has supported numerous women and men on their journey to conception and healthy pregnancy.
Olubukola is a dynamic professional with a strong academic and practical background in Animal Products and Processing. She earned both her BSc and MSc degrees in this field, with focused research on improving the quality, safety, and sustainability of nutrients dense foods, she proceeded into obtaining a sound knowledge of Nutrition.
Over the years, she has co-authored more than 13 journal articles indexed on Google Scholar, working collaboratively on high-impact research that spans animal biotechnology, food processing innovations, and sustainable livestock practices.
Her work bridges the gap between science and society -integrating evidence-based knowledge from animal science with practical applications in human health and wellbeing. Her unique blend of scientific rigor and community engagement continues to make a meaningful impact, both in academic circles and in the lives of everyday people.
Takeaways
Nigeria faces a dual health crisis of infectious & non-communicable diseases.Malnutrition significantly impacts childhood development & health outcomes.Lifestyle factors, including diet & exercise, contribute to rising health issues.Nutrition plays a crucial role in strengthening the immune system.Community education is vital for promoting healthy eating habits.Government policies should support access to nutritious food.Gut health is essential for overall well-being and nutrient absorption.Reducing refined carbohydrates can help prevent chronic diseases.Exercise should be balanced to avoid hormonal imbalances affecting fertility.Parents play a key role in instilling healthy habits in children. -
Title: WEF 26 & State of the Globe -A new World Order
Cohost: Olugbenga Aderemi-Williams
Summary
In this conversation, Toheeb Azeez & Gbenga Aderemi-Williams discuss Trumps' intent to take Greenland and the implications, Trump's Board of Peace initiative, the geopolitical shifts in global alliances, and the challenges faced by the U.S. in maintaining its influence. The dialogue also touches on the significance of the World Economic Forum, world inequality, and Nigeria's efforts to engage on the global stage, highlighting the complexities of international relations and the need for economic reform. In this conversation, Toheeb and Gbenga discuss various pressing issues in Nigeria, including the urgent need for infrastructure and education, the importance of cultural representation, and the potential for tourism to drive economic growth. They also address the impact of social media on content creation, the challenges facing agriculture and food security, and the necessity of collaboration within communities. Furthermore, the conversation touches on globalization, multiculturalism, nationalism, and immigration issues, AI, space mission, hunger poverty and unemployment, and geopolitical tensions in Somalia, highlighting the interconnectedness of these topics and the need for proactive solutions.
Takeaways
The Board of Peace is seen as a tool for Trump to gain wealth.Trump's Greenland ambitions have faced significant political backlash.European countries are moving towards a multipolar world order.The U.S. is losing its influence in global politics.Peace agreements brokered by Trump are fragile and often superficial.Davos serves as a platform for the elite, often criticized for hypocrisy.Nigeria's engagement in Davos reflects a shift towards global business.The importance of addressing human capital in Nigeria's development.International organizations often prioritize the interests of powerful nations.Trust in U.S. leadership is diminishing among global partners. Urgent actions are needed in Northern Nigeria to address crises.Fundamentals like education and infrastructure are crucial for development.Cultural representation is vital for improving Nigeria's global image.Tourism has the potential to significantly boost Nigeria's economy.Social media content often glorifies negative behavior.AI is displacing jobs and changing the employment landscape.Globalization is facing pushback in developed countries.Immigration policies need to be reevaluated for better outcomes.Geopolitical tensions in Somalia are influenced by external powers.Collaboration within communities is essential for national development.Sound bites
"We need to get those fundamentals right."
"We are exporting our culture, our food."
"AI is taking a lot of people's jobs."
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Unlocking SME Growth: Strategies for SuccessNavigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship
Summary
This conversation delves into the intricacies of starting and sustaining small and medium enterprises (SMEs). It highlights the importance of having a clear vision, understanding the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the necessity of proper funding and structure. The discussion emphasizes the need for resilience, accountability, and the ability to adapt and validate business ideas. Additionally, it covers the significance of joining relevant associations to leverage resources and knowledge for business growth.
Takeaways
Starting a business today is much easier than before.A clear vision and mission are essential for success.Survival is not a sustainable business strategy.Entrepreneurs must be ready to face challenges and insults.Understanding the problem your business solves is crucial.Accountability in business operations is necessary for funding.Joining associations can provide valuable resources and support.Documenting operations ensures consistency and quality.Focus on cash flow and customer service for growth.Extraordinary businesses are built by ordinary people with strong procedures.Background
For many who are into business, starting a new business today would be much easier than some few years back.
If they knew all they know now through the years or knew better, their businesses could have started out better and much easier.
They had to learn everything and do things painstakingly.
While as you create business and must the do hard works and have your own unique experiences that shape your approach, would you have to go through what there is already structured process for and with much likelihood of results, backdrop of learnings from repeated experiences of other people?
The episode shares insights about about fast-tracking SMEs' growth. Ensuring the fundamentals in the founding days and setting up operation for efficiency, effectiveness and viability.
It proffers answers to the questions: How should a small business start, what should it look like, what should be the big picture, what are the things to put in place in the early phase and inculcate at every step to ensure attraction of the right resources, consistent results and sustainable growth?
The Guest, Business Coach Adebisi Adeeko is an experienced business professional with 16 years experience in the field, has undertaken businesses at different levels, worked with diverse organizations to structure and execute strategy and projects for impact, coached, mentored and trained entrepreneurs, and thus have empowered many youths and women.
Sound Bites
"Survival is not a strategy for business."
"What problem is your business solving?"
"You must be ready to take insults."
#TheLasgidiFarmerPodcast #SMEs # BusinessGrowth #Startup #Accelerator # BusinessinNigeria #BusinessStructure #BusinessSystem #BusinessManagement #Grow #Scale #Sustainability #BusinessAdvice #HowRunABusiness #Entreperneuership #Entrepreneur #MSME #Africa #Nigeria #EmergingMarket #DevelopingEconomies
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In this powerful episode of The Lasgidi Farmer Podcast, we sat with Jacob Oluwayanmife Abiodun, founder and CEO of Coconoto, a trailblazing climate-smart agritech company revolutionizing Nigeria's coconut value chain by turning abundant agricultural waste into sustainable, high-value products.
Nigeria, the world's 19th largest coconut producer with over 270,000 metric tonnes annually (projected to reach 500,000 MT by 2025), wastes around 40% of its harvest while burning shells that pollute the environment and importing $21 million worth of derivatives like cocopeat each year.
Despite a domestic cocopeat market valued at $4.67 million and a global market exploding toward $16.8 billion by 2034, Nigeria captures just 0.11% of that global share, highlighting massive untapped potential for local production, import substitution, job creation, and export growth.
Jacob, a mechanical engineer from Federal University of Technology Akure, shares his inspiring journey: from an unexpected pivot into agriculture, building patented dehusking and deshelling machines, to establishing the Cococycle Hub that processes coconut husks into premium cocopeat (ideal for soilless/hydroponic farming with superior water retention, nutrient release, aeration, drainage, and antimicrobial properties), cocofibre, and upcoming biodegradable Cocopot bioplastics via his innovative "Odd Fusion" process.
The conversation covers Jacob's resilience -bouncing back from the #Fuze Talent Show rejection (viewed as valuable feedback), personal setbacks like an accident, yet scaling production from 20kg to 200kg weekly, stocking over 2 tons of husks, generating more than ₦2 million in revenue, launching the Coconoto marketplace, expanding cocofibre sales, introducing CocoDrinkEat, and growing a vibrant community.
Key highlights include:
The science and impact of upcycling waste to reduce pollution and empower horticulturists/farmersBarriers to a self-sufficient value chain (infrastructure, policy, finance) and untapped opportunities beyond cocopeat (e.g., coir, fertilizers, activated carbon)Why building indigenous, scalable tech beats importing equipment for addressing crude methods and enabling exportsRole of public-private partnerships in stabilizing prices, lowering costs, and benefiting smallholder farmers' livelihoodsLessons from global leaders (India, Indonesia, Malaysia) on ecosystem shifts for high-quality, export-ready productsCoconoto's 5 to 10 year vision: expanding across Africa, penetrating global markets, driving eco-friendly farming, and creating widespread jobs and opportunitiesThis episode is a must-listen for farmers, agritech entrepreneurs, sustainability advocates, policymakers, and anyone passionate about waste-to-wealth, circular economy, and building Africa's agricultural self-sufficiency.
Tune in now on Spotify. Subscribe to The Lasgidi Farmer Podcast (also on YouTube) for more insights on food, agriculture, and development in Nigeria and beyond!
#CoconutValueChain #WasteToWealth #AgritechNigeria #Cocopeat #SustainableFarming #Coconoto #NigeriaAgriculture #ImportSubstitution #EcoFriendly -
In this episode of The Lasgidi Farmer Podcast, we sat down with Thara Aisha Atta, Founder and CEO of Trashformas Nigeria Limited, to discuss her work converting agricultural wastes such as animal manure and crop residues into clean, affordable biogas for cooking and sustainable energy.
Thara opens with her assessment of biogas prospects in Nigeria and Africa: While the global biogas market exceeds $100 billion and is projected to surpass $200 billion by 2034, Africa has nearly 120,000 plants (with Nigeria holding ~39% of the share), yet the continent represents just 2% globally.
She highlights growing momentum from government focus on vehicular fuel alternatives, increasing demand for clean energy, and biomethane opportunities, stressing that true sustainability comes from viewing agricultural waste as a reliable resource rather than relying on infrastructure gaps to generate more waste.
We explore the origin story of Trashformas: The name cleverly combines "trash" and "transform," reflecting Thara's mission to solve real pain points in biogas distribution and affordability.
Driven by a deep passion for impact and sustainability, she founded the company despite early setbacks like an unacknowledged presentation to a ministry proving that great ideas often start disregarded but persist through persistence and love for the work.
Thara clarifies what biogas truly is: Produced via anaerobic digestion of agricultural wastes, it captures methane (a greenhouse gas far more potent than CO₂ in the short term) and converts it into clean energy.
She addresses environmental debates, noting that preventing methane emissions from decomposing waste is a net climate positive, even as CO₂ is discussed more due to its longer atmospheric lifespan and dominance in energy emissions.
Comparing biogas to LNG amid Nigeria's vast over 210 TCF gas reserves and rising production, Thara explains biogas's distinct advantages: It's decentralized, renewable, reduces waste pollution, supports rural energy access, and offers environmental health benefits by avoiding fossil fuel extraction impacts, positioning it as a complementary, greener substitute rather than direct competitor.
On feedstock challenges with Nigeria generating over 144 million tonnes of agricultural waste annually, Thara details how variability in composition, contaminants, logistics, and competition affect consistency and costs.
Trashformas circumvents this through strategic contractual partnerships with farms: Providing inputs, ensuring quality standards, and building reliable clusters for predictable supply, quantity, and quality, enabling affordable production and retailing.
We discuss funding realities in Nigeria's waste-to-energy sector: high capital costs (₦7–14 million for small plants) pose barriers, but Trashformas has leveraged wins like the ₦15 million prize as first runner-up on Fund It Forward and other innovative approaches to scale.
Thara outlines Trashformas' unique value proposition: Targeting schools, institutions, and households with convenient pre-filled biogas cylinders to overcome distribution hurdles, differentiating from small-scale plants.
She highlights value chain opportunities for students and entrepreneurs, from production to distribution and maintenance. Aligning with government initiatives for off-grid power in tertiary institutions and energy diversification (including CNG), Thara shares what more support is needed: better financing access, policy incentives, and ecosystem building to help existing producers scale and encourage new entrants.
Reflecting on the biggest challenges in building Trashformas (fianance) Thara shares their challenges and innovative solutions they adopted: partnership, focus on purpose and developing capacity and also applying for opportunities.
Looking to 2030, Thara outlines ambitious goals for scaling impact, expanding users base, growing revenue, and contributing to Nigeria's emergence as a biogas powerhouse.
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We held this urgent space on the currently ongoing Venezuela crisis and escalating geopolitics, and what it means for the sovereignty, development, energy and food security of the countries in the global south, and for and peace and prosperity of the world at large.
At the onset of Trump’s 2nd presidency we had discussed about what the state of the world and global food security would be ( check Episode 15) with Trump’s ethos of America First, techno-nationalism, re-industrialization of Western Europe and North America (United States, Canada and Greenland) and space mission averse to actions to arrest and reverse global warming and climate change to shun Davos and the defunding of international institutions enabling cooperation and protecting weaker nations.
We also had a separate, in-depth conversation on “Slavery, Colonialism, Imperialism & the Nigerian Agriculture -Impact, Legacy & Neo-form.” ( Check Episode 14).
It helps to see and grasp how historical events shaped and continue to shape issues today, especially for Africa and the developing world, their food system and development.
The world has drastically changed since our discussion on Trump’s 2nd presidency, and thus we reconvened and revisited what we had discussed, assess the state of things now, what more to unfold, and the fate of weaker nations with, a different United States' foreign policy with relating with rest of the world and a failing UN.
#venezuelacrisis #unitedstates #presidenttrump #latinamerica #sovereigntythreat #geopolitics #maduro #transition #humanrights #UNCharter #InternationalLaw
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This podcast episode deliberated on the need for simple, responsive, and effective research-to-policy pathways to address Nigeria’s agricultural challenges, such as food security, rural poverty, and economic diversification.
Policies are deliberate ways to bring about development. When evidence-based, policies more likely yield positive outcomes and impacts.
Thorough research births evidence that guides policies when considered.
Much of the development failures today are of policies, the failure to incorporate research.
Extension Practice conducts a series of important researches crucial for sustainable development. However, there is often a gap between policy and practice and which in turn affects development, for different reasons.
It was therefore the rationale for this discourse, to unravel and remedy constraints and ensure better coordination, alignment, and translation.
Prof. Akinbile, A Professor of Agricultural Extension, University of Ibadan, understanding this, in his recent Inaugural Lecture at the University of Ibadan, emphasized the need for sustainable reforms to energize agricultural development programmes and also agricultural extension delivery system in Nigeria.
It is understood the importance of agricultural extension to agricultural development, however, agricultural extension is not performing to expectations given less focus and (even when it could guide policy) suffers from policy inattention.
Professor Luqman has conducted extensive research in this area, including studies on household economy roles, rural women’s time budgeting, indigenous credit associations, and socio-economic status scales, which provided evidence-based insights that informed agricultural policies.
Aside from the field of research, he has also been involved in influencing and formulating policies for development, with his leadership roles, such as his presidency of the Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria and membership in the University of Ibadan’s Senate Curriculum Committee.
The academic, research and leadership experiences thus brought richness to the discourse and entailed not just discussion on Policy & Practice but also from a practical lens.
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Our Founder & CEO, Toheeb Azeez was on NTA 2 Lagos on the Close Flow show to discuss Agritech & Youth Employment.
The Nigerian Youth population is going to reach 70 million by 2030.
It would form over 26% of a 260 million projected Nigerian population in that year.
Currently, there are 13 million unemployed youths of the nation.
This figure could even climb higher with an envisaged bigger Nigerian and youth populations.
Youth unemployment costs Nigeria $10 billion economic loss yearly.
Agriculture could gainfully employ this number of unemployed youths and 7 million more (according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation).
It already employs 35% of the nation’s workforce, provides livelihood for vast majority of the rural inhabitants, the rural youths inclusive.
However, agriculture in the nation is still largely being practiced in a traditional, boring and unproductive way, that impedes the opportunities in the sector and discourages youth participation.
Technology enhances processes that yields better outcomes, and enables value chain development, which creates enticing opportunities for youth participation.
Other than get dirty and tired working the soil with hoes and cutlasses, youth rather farm with tractor and other advance tools, incorporate data, AI, robotics, IoTs, cloud computing, blockchain and distributed ledgers, and biotechnology, e.t.c. for digitial, precision and smart agriculture, efficiently utilizing inputs to generate greater results.
This way, jobs are not only created for the youths but entrepreneurship is sparked in them where they create solutions and employ more people. ThriveAgric, Precision Field Academy and Releaf Earth (YC W19) are good examples.
Nigeria has an aging farming population and her total population would reach 400 million in 25 years.
Youth participation complementing and replacing agricultural skill and workforce -and with their savviness and creative ability with -and technology in agriculture can help meet this future food needs.
Estimating Nigerian proportion of African agritech against a $100bn future estimate of agritech contritubtions to African agriculture market, agritech could inject $24bn yearly into the Nigeria agriculture market, when properly harnessed.
This is why agritech is important to the Nigerian economy but, however, is being held back by constraints -for instance, finance, infrastructure, skill gap, policy, etc.
Even when the Nigeria Agritech constitutes 25% of the total African agritech funding, the latter is just less than 2% of a $16bn global Agritech funding, and agritech represents just 4.8% of Nigeria’s tech startups.
Works are are being done by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, with policies (Agriculture Promotion Policy, National AI Strategy), 3MTT Nigeria and even private bodies to build critical infrastructure and talents to spur agritech and achieves 85% digital farming.
However, there’s is need for more and rapid work. -
Our Founder & CEO, Toheeb Azeez was a Guest on Farmlife TV on NTA 10 to discuss on the topic: Farming in Nigeria - Prospects & Challenges.
At the interview he stressed the need to significantly raise agriculture budget to unleash growth of the Nigerian agriculture and promote food security.
Nigeria’s budgetary allocation to agriculture in 2024 grew by 55.9% from previous year (thanks to increased national budget) but saw a 0.21% decrease in proportional share of national budget and with recurrent expenditure taking 30.4%.
Also, the agriculture allocation is just 1.2% and fails to meet a 10% proportion of national budget to drive growth recommended at the Maputo declaration by African states.
Fund is one of the leading constraints holding the sector back; the nation’s agriculture sector currently suffers a $9bn funding gap despite its importance.
Agriculture has not only proven to be efficient with allocations but also productive, giving multiple returns per investment.
In 2024, it generated $93.75bn (179 folds) in revenue that contributed 25% of Nigeria’s GDP from a $523m allocation which was among the lowest sectoral allocations.
It could do more with an increase not just in sum but also percentage allocation and in line with the recommended, and complemented with thoughtful and result-oriented disbursement.
Toheeb also advised the need for states to leverage their strength which helps to address food insecurity in individual states, corroborate federal government’s effort, and reduce pressure at the centre.
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From $70B Trade Deficit to Diaspora Boom: Unlocking African Agrifood Exports with Seller Africa
Summary:
In this powerful episode of The Lasgidi Farmer Podcast, we unpack Africa’s trade paradox with Seyi Dipo-Ogunleye, PR & Marketing Specialist at Seller Africa, the e-commerce platform connecting African SMEs to global buyers.Africa’s merchandise trade surged 13.9% to $1.5 trillion in 2024 after a 6.3% drop in 2023, yet the continent still closed the year with a $70 billion deficit.
Nigeria posted a ₦7.46 trillion surplus in Q2 2025 (+44.4% QoQ), while agrifood exports soared 300%+ to ₦884 billion in Q3 2024.
But the continent faces a $30 billion agrifood trade deficit, despite agriculture being its economic backbone.
Seyi reveals how Seller Africa turns this tide:
Bridging supply chain chaos, rejections (e.g., Nigerian beans, smoked fish), spoilage, and inconsistent quality through e-commerce-driven SOPs and real-time market linkage. Trapping value in Africa: Helping SMEs move beyond raw cocoa (95% of global output, just 13% of $150B market) into branded, culture-rich products. Countering cultural appropriation: where foreign firms rebrand African staples and outcompete locals, by empowering sellers with authenticity, equity, and diaspora-first strategies. Leveraging the 350 million-strong African diaspora (sending $53 billion in remittances) and rising global love for African cuisine to fuel SME growth.From why culture is Seller Africa’s secret weapon to government policy fixes for a thriving export ecosystem, this episode is a masterclass in turning trade deficits into diaspora-driven prosperity.
Key Highlights:
Why Africa earns lesser from agrifood exports and how Seller Africa flips the script. E-commerce as the antidote to supply failures, value loss, and middleman exploitation. Real strategies for SMEs to outmaneuver cultural appropriators and dominate diaspora markets. Actionable advice for exporters: mindsets, tools, and rapid global entry tactics. A bold call to African governments: Build the infrastructure for a $100B+ agrifood export future.Guest: Seyi Dipo-Ogunleye, PR & Marketing Specialist, Seller Africa
Host: The Lasgidi Farmer
Duration: [50:09]Listen now! Because the future of African wealth is not in raw beans or cocoa pods. It is in productivity, value addition, story, infrastructure, culture, connection, and digital command.
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This Episode is with FarmX, a digital agriculture and logistics platform, represented by its CEO and COO, Igbokwe Marvis and Adeosun Victor.
Title
Agricultural & Livelihood Transformation through Equitable Digital Supply Chain.Summary
This conversation delves into the critical role of digital supply chains in enhancing food security and empowering farmers. The discussion highlights the mission of FarmX, a platform designed to connect farmers directly with buyers, thereby eliminating middlemen and ensuring fair pricing. Key topics include the challenges faced by farmers, the importance of logistics in reducing costs, and the need for trust in agricultural transactions. The speakers emphasize the significance of technology in creating equitable markets and the potential for scaling agricultural innovations across Africa.
Takeaways
Food security is crucial for both farmers and consumers.A transparent supply chain ensures fair pricing for farmers and consumers.Digital supply chains can reduce food waste and improve efficiency.FarmX aims to connect farmers directly with buyers, eliminating middlemen.Logistics is a major cost factor for farmers; efficient systems can reduce this.Farmers can set their own prices on the FarmX platform.Empowering farmers leads to better margins and sustainable practices.Trust is essential in agricultural transactions to prevent fraud.Scaling requires partnerships and a focus on infrastructure.The future of agriculture in Africa relies on indigenous solutions.Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Food Security and Supply Chain
15:10 Understanding FarmX and Its Mission
22:08 Exploring Digital Supply Chains
30:40 Addressing Challenges in Agricultural Supply Chains
34:56 Logistics and Cost Reduction Strategies
38:04 Empowering Farmers Through Direct Sales
43:11 Balancing Profitability and Equity
45:15 Technology and Value Addition for Farmers
50:59 Building Trust in Agricultural Transactions
55:58 Scaling FarmX Across Regions
01:00:13 Unique Value Proposition of FarmX
01:03:31 Creating Impact Beyond Farmers
01:10:44 Closing Remarks and Future Vision
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This insightful conversation was urgently held in reality a changed rainfall pattern and which constituted concern as the Nigerian food system is largely rain-dependent.
The Episode has as it is Gest, Shuqrah Umar, an agricultural professional with specialization in irrigation and many years of experience in the field.
Shuqrah leads two visionary enterprise in Nigeria -founded Sierra Alpha Resource (an irrigation system and inputs supplier for agricultural industry) and established Sierra Innovations Ltd (providing local irrigation solutions and technical services to farmer and agricultural enthusiasts).
We began this discussion assessing the rainfall realities around Nigeria and comparing with the predictions of the body charged with weather and climate predictions in the nation, NIMET (Nigerian Meteorological Agency).
While it tallied in few cases and especially for states and regions looked at -Lagos state, Kwara state, Oyo state, South West, Coastal and North Central Regions -with early rainfall onset and late ending of wet season, it was not for many others, and this informed the need for supplementary irrigation.
This irregular was determined to have deeper impacts beyond food supply but to also hunger, poverty and conflicts.
What irrigation means was addressed, termed to be artificial and human approach to providing water to plants -and for other water uses, for rearing animals, drinking, cooking, and hygiene purpose -as against a natural phenomenon, rainfall.
A proper definition helps to understand water uses and what would be required address and satisfy them.
This was the approach advised for embarking on irrigation set up; to determine water availability, uses, and then plan and develop gradually, than spontaneously implement and largely without a broader picture.
Different irrigation methods were considered, flood, basin, furrow, sprinkle, and drip, and their pros and cons to to help make informed and best decision and get productive outcome. Considering efficiency of irrigation method was advised so as not to waste resources and/or compound cost and therefore defeating part of purposes of irrigation.
Looking at the peculiar socio-economic condition of Nigerian major food producers and their inculpabilities to make costly irrigation investment, we considered connecting opportunities to challenges, innovative irrigation strategies and payment model.
We discovered that while farmers do not have adequate irrigation there were water bodies. A problem of inaccessibility to a lack and/or inadequate infrastructure was identified and thus the call for public investment to support producers.
Private sector role in sustainable irrigation model was also looked and their capacity to inject funds, provide quality managerial function were highlighted but that impatience and risk presented challenges. In tandem, the need for better risk management entail collaboration of stakeholders was emphasized.
This approach was also advised for irrigation payment model, where farming must be done as a business to not only yield bounty harvest to also impact livelihoods of farmers and thus that while farmers must pay, the payment model must consider their precarious situation and importance to the nation.
Farmers pulling resources together to lower irrigation cost and enable access, bundling, cost recovery were exploited.
We thought that it was best there was a unified approached to irrigation for this not only but also for environmental management and sustainability.
With individual farmer having to drill their own borehole to access water, the risk of pollution and water table depletion arises and increases.
Cost-effective innovative concept as rain harvesting was considered, and advised but warned it is not an absolute replacement but should serve as supplement.
Sustainable irrigation was implored to be seen as an ecosystem than mere set up and this way increases success -agronomy (climate-adaptive seeds), hardware, choices, etc.
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Dive into Nigeria’s Blue Economy in this compelling podcast discourse that unpacks the nation’s vast marine resources and strategic position in the Gulf of Guinea.
Our Guest for this Episoide is Okon Eteobong Amah (The Catfishprenuer), MD/CEO PRODAVE SERVICES INTEGRATED. He is the Secretary of Akwa Ibom Fish Farmers Association of Nigeria (AKWAFFAN).
With the global Blue Economy valued at $24 trillion and with a projected annual revenue to double its current to $5.2 trillion by 2034, Nigeria has immense potential to drive economic growth and sustainability, having 853km coastline, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of about 200nm, a vast inland waterways resource estimated at nearly 10,000kms.Our expert panel explored critical issues, from the transformative Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project to challenges in aquaculture, maritime trade, and marine biotechnology.
He tackled overfishing, port congestion, export bottlenecks, and the environmental impacts of coastal development, while spotlighting opportunities for job creation, innovation, and value chain growth across Nigeria’s nine coastal states.
From addressing the $1.2 billion fish import gap to leveraging marine resources for pharmaceuticals, this episode delivers actionable insights into Nigeria’s journey toward becoming a Blue Economy powerhouse.
Listen to this engaging discussion on sustainable strategies, policy frameworks, and the path to a thriving marine economy by 2034, and with thoughts for the environment.
This podcast is a must-listen for policymakers, entrepreneurs, environmentalists, and anyone passionate about Nigeria’s economic future.
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This Event "Battle for the Soul of African Agrifood: Food, Seed & Land Sovereignty." took place on Nigeria's Independence Day (October 1st, 2025).
It was purposely fixed to this date as it relates to the topic of discourse -freedom from external control.
It seeks to address issues that affect Nigeria's food sovereignty in understanding of how it is connected with and determines food security.
Food production is dependent on seeds and lands, it's thus why the topic embraces aside food sovereignty, also seed and land sovereignty.
The discussion started with the President of Nigeria (His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu) Independence Day Speech, where amongst others, commitment to food security was emphasized.
This conversation touched on the reality in the nation, Nigerian homes and among Nigerians, and what is missing and advised on the path to ensure food sovereignty and security -ensuring security of lives and pursuing local manufacturing.
In tandem, matters as GMO and Nigeria's ginger problem (eroded from a major global producer and exporter allegedly by bioweapon) as with external interference were considered.
The discussion then addressed the Vice President of Nigeria's (H. E Kashim Shettima) Speech at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly that caused uproar with the immediate outcries in foreign media of Christians being persecuted and killed in Nigeria, after the second citizen of Nigeria had spoken of countries to be treated as equals at the United Nations and a two-state solution in Palestine.
Many people thought the outcries were propaganda that emanated for that speech and of Israeli and western influence to ferment tension and unrest in Nigeria to illegally have access and control to Nigeria's commodities and solid mineral resources.
This was discussed about alongside cases of geopolitics, in Congo, French Africa, and in Eastern Europe (Russia-Ukraine war in particular), with quest for resources (in making semi-conductors, micro electronics and data centre GPUs) to power and win the race of super tech , and where the West seeks energy security away from Russia with conflict but now in the US and Africa, being sabotaged by hostility towards France, growing Russia and China influence in Africa and their energy arrangement with French Africa that cuts out French and Europe -especially Uranium supply and transatlantic gas pipeline between Nigeria and Morocco that would reach Europe.
The renewed relationship of France with Nigeria was revisited and if it was not substitute for what it was cut off from French Africa and whether this meant good for Nigeria, in consideration of the colonial and recent history of France in French Africa causing a rise and spread of insecurity, terrorism and insurgency across the horn of Africa and in Nigeria, displacement crisis and with increased emigration to Europe, and also negatively impacting food system, sovereignty and security, and French's purported role in the Nigerian state dissolution efforts supporting separatist groups.
We considered how this is similar to what has been and is happening in the Middle East with a not-well-thought of foreign war on terror after the 9/11 attack at the World Trade Centre and the Israel-Iran war and the aftermath.
We concluded that it was best to not interfere with and in matters of sovereign nations and especially those that could cause global imbalance when thrown in disarray especially with their heavy population and strategic importance to the world in matters of raw materials for energy, technology and trade security.
It was thus emphasized that nations -and Nigeria a nation with particular focus for this event -ensures its sovereignty through physical , economic and cultural securities, and commit to local food production and manufacturing of high-quality value-added products, partaking in technological advancement utilizing its natural resources than be exploited by foreign actors that do not mean well for the nation.
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Dive into a transformative Episode, featuring Prof. Kehinde Thomas, a leading Professor of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development at the University of Ibadan, as he explores "Extension Practice in the Marketplace of Development: A Fusion of Art & Science."
This episode unravels how extension practice can merge scientific innovation with creative, community-driven solutions to address Nigeria’s urgent challenges and align with global trends.
The lecture begins by demystifying the event’s theme. Prof. Thomas explains that extension involves transferring knowledge and innovations to farmers, acting as a bridge for development. The "marketplace" represents a vibrant ecosystem where stakeholders—farmers, NGOs, governments, and private sectors—exchange ideas and resources.
The "fusion of art and science" blends evidence-based tools, like digital advisories, with the art of human centered-approaches and participatory engagement. This framing sets the stage for a discourse on how extension can drive sustainable agricultural and rural economy transformation in Nigeria.
Prof. Thomas tackles the challenges of multi-disciplinary collaboration in extension, where integrating scientific and indigenous knowledge often falters. He identifies barriers like disconnects and inadequate training, which hinder improvements in agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods. He affirms indigenous knowledge and the need for its refine and scaling up and inclusion.
By highlighting these issues, he calls for innovative frameworks that respect local wisdom while leveraging research-driven solutions, resonating with Nigeria’s need for effective extension systems.
The discussion then explores the evolving development landscape, where Nigeria’s extension system faces complex challenges like climate change and competition for funds. Prof. Thomas advises on adapting to global trends, such as AI-driven advisories and carbon credit schemes, to modernize Nigeria’s outdated infrastructure and connect farmers to opportunities.
This forward-looking approach emphasizes positioning extension as a key player in a competitive, pluralistic environment.
A critical question examines the expanding role of extension workers, who now serve as facilitators beyond technical knowledge providers. Prof. Thomas debates whether this is a burden or an opportunity with diverse and increased role of the extension agent, posited that this presented unique opportunities to leverage.
He explores whether extension should remain a public good or adopt an entrepreneurial model with better compensation. He leans to private extension service and urges for innovative payment models that make easy pay for services.
Drawing from global examples, Prof. Thomas highlights the undervaluation of indigenous knowledge in extension. He discusses the implications of sidelining such knowledge—missed opportunities for sustainability—and advocates for integrating it with scientific methods to meet modern needs.
The lecture emphasizes the need for soft skills like psychology, behavioural science understanding and social marketing, in extension work. Prof. Thomas critiques linear, science-heavy approaches that fail without these “artistic” competencies, offering strategies to reposition Nigeria’s extension systems and universities to prioritize such training for lasting impact, with improved curriculum, training and retraining.
He also offer insights on how to measure success in extension intervention using the theory of change approach (with elements: activities, input output, outcome and impact) in the line with monitoring and evaluation of projects.
To maintain extension’s intent, Prof. Thomas addresses how it can avoid being diluted by external agendas, such as funding that views rural development as mere poverty alleviation.
Finally, he inspires young professionals with advice on navigating careers in this expanded vision of extension, emphasizing value creation and demand-driven service.
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This event offers a practical guide to youths in pursuing career and undertaking business in farming and agriculture.
Young people increasingly seek career in the field but it does not help that ugly and misleading narratives about the sector pervades and that the sector is currently crushing for new entrants to volatile operating environment.
Hence, this discussion sought to enlighten youths about the possibilities in the space and expose them to proper mindset, perspective and strategies to approach the field in order to ensure well-carved out, meaningful and impactful careers and also successful and sustainable ventures, with personally-lived experiences and trusted approaches.
Afterwards, a WhatsApp group (currently of over 400 members) spurn out of this discussion, to provide young people access to professional network for information, knowledge and guidance that make possible their respective aspirations.
- Visa fler
