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How Tech Can Tackle Food Security Challenges in Nigeria

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By Diana Tenebe, Chief Operating Officer, FoodStuff Store

Nigeria’s agricultural sector has long been a significant contributor to national growth, with the potential to further reduce poverty. This sector, encompassing crop production, livestock, forestry, and fishing, has the potential to hold export opportunities and can strategically become the engine for economic prosperity, given Nigeria’s large population.

Undoubtedly, agriculture remains a top contributor to Nigeria’s GDP. Statistics show it contributed around 23.69% in 2022, ranking behind the industry (30.78%) and services (22.04%) sectors. However, the sector’s contribution has declined.

In the first quarter of 2023, it fell to 19.63%, compared to 21.09% in the same period of 2022 and even lower than the 24.90% of Q4 2022. On sectoral contribution to the GDP, the agriculture sector declined to 25.18% in 2023 from 25.58% in 2022.

In recent times, the agricultural sector in Nigeria has faced challenges that would require urgent need for strategic interventions to address the many-sided issues. 2023 revealed a historic decline in Nigeria’s agricultural output, from the removal of fuel subsidies that increased the cost in logistics and production expenses to insecurity that has forced farmers to stay away from their farms, climate change, the redesign of the Naira, inadequate storage infrastructure,  insecurity led to the country’s food inflation that surged to 35.41% in January 2024.

While a holistic approach is needed to tackle the problems facing the agricultural sector in Nigeria, the adoption of technology and innovation can prove to be a powerful tool in tackling the food insecurity in Nigeria and ensuring the citizens have access to the nutritious food that they need especially from smallholder farmers.

Digital marketplaces are tech solutions that can bridge the food security challenges in Nigeria. Smallholder farmers often have limited access to markets, struggling to connect with buyers, leading to post-harvest losses and reduced income. They lack efficient distribution networks and constantly work with distribution systems that can be complex and prone to waste. Additionally, farmers lack critical information on market prices, weather conditions and best practices.

Digital marketplaces have the potential to revolutionise the Nigerian food system and address food security challenges by connecting farmers directly with consumers and businesses, reducing reliance on middlemen and increasing profit margins for farmers. Logistics can be streamlined by connecting farmers with transportation and storage providers, minimising waste and ensuring timely delivery. Additionally, there is an opportunity for enhanced transparency between farmers and consumers especially with respect to pricing, reducing exploitation and promoting fairer pricing. Market trends are also easily available through digital marketplace platforms to make farmers make informed decisions.

Nigerian Agritech companies and start-ups are dedicated to helping farmers achieve maximum crop yield through their work. Foodstuff Store exemplifies this commitment, utilising technology to connect customers and businesses with raw and processed food products directly from smallholder farmers and whole food suppliers at affordable prices, adding value to the food supply chain.

Despite the potential, challenges remain. Limited internet access, digital literacy, inadequate infrastructure hindering deliveries, online security concerns, and trust issues for both farmers and consumers need to be addressed.

Investment in rural infrastructure, digital literacy programs, public-private partnerships to promote digital agriculture, and access to financial services like mobile money can create a more efficient, inclusive, and resilient food system. A tech-driven agricultural sector has the potential to not only eradicate hunger but also empower farmers, create jobs, and propel Nigeria towards a food-secure future.


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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ABoICT Lecture 2025 to Focus on Governance, Standardization in Artificial Intelligence Era

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This year’s Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership lecture will focus on Governance, Standardization and cybersecurity in artificial intelligence era.

The lecture which will herald Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership Awards (ABoICT Lecture 2025) hold on May 24, 2025 at Four Points by Sheraton and will be delivered by Prof. Adewale Obadare, Chief Visionary Officer, Digital Encode – Cybersecurity and GRC Expert.

The sixteenth edition of the award ceremony according Ken Nwogbo, editor-in-chief of Nigeria CommunicationsWeek the organizers of the event, “is a special edition to recognise and celebrate organizations and individuals in the ICT industry that have contributed to the growth of the sector.

“Most of these organizations and individuals have consistently being voted by our readers as leaders in their areas of operations and we have decided to reward them in this special edition, tag: ‘ICT Growth Edition 2025’ he said,”.

He added that, an AI governance framework outlines policies, principles, and practices to guide the ethical and responsible development and deployment of AI technologies, ensuring transparency, accountability, and fairness.

“In the AI era, cybersecurity faces both new threats and opportunities, as AI’s capabilities are used by both defenders and attackers to launch sophisticated attacks and defenses.

“This requires a proactive approach, including AI-powered security tools, robust data security, and ethical AI development, emphasizing real-time monitoring, threat intelligence, and collaboration among cybersecurity professionals and AI researchers.

“Artificial intelligence transforms cybersecurity by automating responses to risks, detecting unusual activity, and even foreseeing possible dangers before they occur.

“While AI has various perks, such as better efficiency and faster risk identification, it also has challenges. Without proper oversight, these systems can be misused or make errors. Strong governance and ethical frameworks ensure AI technologies are used responsibly and effectively.,” he said.

The Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership Distinguished (ABoICT Lecture 2024) is designed to explore efforts to put Nigeria on the global Information and Communications Technologies map.

The lecture series however is reserved for distinguished achievers in the ICT sector.

Past lecturers included Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, then executive vice chairman, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC); Uche Orji, managing director/chief executive officer, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA); Biodu Omoniyi, Managing Director/CEO, VDT Communications; Ayotunde Coker, Managing Director, Rack Centre Limited; Peter Adedayo Arogundade, managing director and chief executive officer, Sidmach Technologies Nigeria Limited; Dr. Oluseyi Akindeinde, founder, Hyperspace & NeuraL AI and John Obaro, CEO and founder of Systemspecs; Prof. Isa Pantanmi, minister of Communications and Digital Economy; among others.


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Cabals Still Fighting our Refinery – Dangote

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Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man and president of Dangote Refinery, has insisted that the ‘cabal’ in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector is still fighting against the success of his 650,000 barrels per day plant.

Cabals Still Fighting our Refinery – Dangote

Aliko Dangote

Dangote disclosed this, according to Semafor, a global news platform, at an investor forum in Lagos at the weekend.

He said, “For a very, very long time, those that have made a lot of money from government-subsidised oil imports into Nigeria were the ones trying to sabotage the $20 billion worth of refinery situated in Lekki, Lagos.”

He further stressed that “those groups have funded resistance to the Bola Tinubu government’s removal of petrol subsidies and are opposed to the refinery operating easily in the country.”

However, Dangote was confident that the battle between him and the groups would be won, priding himself on being a long-time fighter.

“We’re fighting, and the fight is not yet finished. But I have been fighting all my life, and I am ready and 100 percent sure I will win at the end of the day,” he was quoted.

Recall that Dangote Refinery kicked off the sale of petrol in September 2024, which had led to a significant drop in fuel imports into Nigeria.

In May 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the removal of the fuel subsidy during his inauguration speech.


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NPAN Hails Tribunal’s Ruling on FCCPC’s $220M Fine Against Meta

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Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN) has welcomed the decision of the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCT) upholding the $220 million fine imposed on Meta Platforms Inc. by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

In a statement signed by its President, Mal. Kabiru A. Yusuf, and General Secretary, Mrs. Angela Emuwa, NPAN described the ruling as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to enforce digital accountability and protect the rights of its citizens.

“The decision affirms the importance of compelling global digital platforms to adhere to Nigeria’s laws and respect the rights of users,” the association said.

NPAN noted that the fine, resulting from a 30-month investigation spanning 2021 to 2023, was imposed due to Meta’s alleged unauthorized data sharing and discriminatory practices affecting Nigerian users.

The association also emphasized that Nigeria’s regulatory action aligns with global trends, citing similar penalties imposed on Meta in Europe, as well as actions against other tech giants such as Amazon, TikTok, Google, and Apple.

As an advocate for media freedom and fair digital practices, NPAN reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding intellectual property and ensuring fair remuneration for publishers in the evolving digital landscape.

It further urged sustained collaboration among government agencies, civil society, and industry players to strengthen Nigeria’s digital regulatory environment.


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