Last Updated on May 18, 2025 by Olasunkanmi Olajide
By Emeka Oluka
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) has once again reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging digital innovation in agriculture by actively participating in the Inception Workshop of the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) Digital Village Initiative (DVI).
Held between May 6 and 7, 2025, at the Marriott and Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, the workshop brought together key stakeholders from across Africa to explore how digital technologies can transform rural communities and revolutionise the agricultural sector.
Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, was FUNAAB’s Resource Person on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Prof. Adeniyi Olayanju, who delivered a Goodwill Message on behalf of the University. In his remarks, he conveyed FUNAAB’s unwavering support for the DVI and commended the FAO for initiating a timely programme aimed at bridging the digital divide, empowering rural dwellers, and fostering inclusive agricultural growth.
Highlighting FUNAAB’s proactive strides in digital agriculture, Prof. Kehinde cited major investments made by the University in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), including the deployment of a 3MW Hybrid Solar Power system, high-performance computing facilities, digital lecture theatres, and robust e-learning platforms. These investments, he noted, have significantly enhanced the University’s capacity to train the next generation of digitally empowered agricultural professionals and innovators.
The Vice-Chancellor also expressed FUNAAB’s readiness to serve as a hub for pilot projects across all 12 agricultural value chains, including pre-planting, planting, cultivation management, harvesting, processing, value addition, cold chain, livestock production, data analytics, and information management.
FUNAAB’s presence was further amplified at the workshop as three alumni of the University, Mr. Femi Adekoya, Mr. Akintunde Akinmolayan, and one other, made insightful presentations as digital service providers. Their contributions highlighted advancements in crop processing and value addition, underscoring the real-world impact of FUNAAB’s alumni on agricultural transformation.
Delivering the Keynote Address, FAO Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Kofi Dominique Kouacou, expressed optimism about the successful implementation of the DVI across Africa. The workshop also featured an address by the Honourable Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, who shared the Nigerian Government’s vision for digitally driven agricultural development.
Other notable participants included Vice-Chancellors of Thomas Adewumi University, Oko-Irese; Summit University, Offa; and the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMinna). Participants also benefited from virtual presentations sharing DVI experiences and lessons from Malawi and Rwanda.
FUNAAB’s participation in the workshop reflected its strategic alignment with global agricultural trends and reinforced its leadership role in driving digital transformation in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
