This AgriConnect Will Help Us” — Ogun Farmers Praise MTN-Ogun State Initiative

Smallholder farmers across Ogun State have expressed deep appreciation to the MTN Foundation, the Ogun State Government, and the Federal Government for the launch of the AgriConnect initiative, a digital agriculture platform designed to enhance farming practices through mobile-enabled agricultural intelligence.

The initiative, supported by Huawei, is set to make a positive impact on the lives of 1,000 farmers, equipping them with the tools and knowledge needed to improve productivity and embrace smarter, tech-driven agriculture.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Olude Joshua, a farmer from Oja-Odan in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, expressed his delight upon receiving an invitation from the Ogun State Government to attend the launch. “I was very happy when I saw the message,” he said. “On getting here today, we were amazed, especially when we learned that we farmers will now be using technology-enabled phones. We were very happy.” He also expressed his appreciation to the supporters of the initiative, particularly the MTN Foundation, for providing free SIM cards, free registration, and free data to access real-time weather forecasts, market prices, and best agricultural practices.

Also speaking at the event, Mrs. Alimi Kehinde, a farmer from Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State, shared that she and her husband are seasoned farmers who specialise in cultivating cassava and bananas. “We have cultivated over 10 hectares of land for our cassava plantation,” she said. “After harvesting, we use the cassava to produce fufu, which we supply to areas such as Mile 12 and Ketu in Lagos. We also supply bananas to these areas. This initiative will help us gain deeper knowledge about our farming profession. I pray for the supporting partners like MTN and Huawei that their businesses may continue to thrive. By next year, I hope they will be able to introduce even more support for us.”

Also speaking at the official launch, the Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, said the initiative would enhance food production by equipping farmers with critical digital tools and knowledge. “At the MTN Foundation, we strongly believe in the power of technology to drive growth, create opportunities, and empower individuals. The AgriConnect Initiative embodies this belief by leveraging both global and local partnerships to provide our farmers with essential tools and resources. Access to real-time weather forecasts, market prices, and best agricultural practices will not only support informed decision-making but also significantly improve yields and increase farmers’ incomes,” she said.

Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, stressed the importance of leveraging technology and timely intelligence in boosting agricultural productivity, saying Ogun State has the potential to lead Nigeria’s food production efforts if irrigation protocols and innovation are fully embraced.

He commended MTN for partnering in piloting mobile technology tools that improve market access and precision agriculture. Reiterating that farmers in the state are ready and willing to collaborate with both government and private stakeholders, the Minister called on all players to work together to ensure agriculture becomes a central engine for job creation and economic transformation.

With the enthusiastic response from farmers and the collaborative support of the Ogun State Government, the Federal Government, and private sector partners like the MTN Foundation and Huawei, the AgriConnect initiative marks a significant step toward the digital transformation of agriculture in Ogun State, and Nigeria.