The Innovation Lab for Policy Leadership in Agriculture and Food Security (PiLAF) hosted the 15th Edition of its Brown Bag Series on Thursday, 28th August 2025. The session spotlighted the urgent need to transform Nigeria’s agricultural extension system through digital innovation and policy reform.

The discussion was led by Damilola Olajubutu, Founder & Executive Director of Rural Nurture Initiative and Public Policy Researcher at Oregon State University, USA, alongside contributions from distinguished participants.

Challenges in Nigeria’s Agricultural Extension System

Nigeria continues to grapple with a critical shortage of extension agents. According to Damilola Olajubutu, the ratio currently stands at 1 agent to 5,000 farmers, with some estimates as high as 1 to 25,000 (Davis, Lion, & Arokoyo, 2019). Olajubutu noted that this shortage exacerbated by climate change, food inflation (40.5% in March 2024), and market instability, leaves millions of smallholder farmers underserved and unable to reach their full productive potential.

The Role of Digital Agricultural Extension

Speakers underscored the potential of digital extension services to bridge systemic gaps and avert Nigeria’s looming food crisis, with 33.3 million people projected to face food insecurity by 2025. At the same time, the sector holds untapped opportunities, including $40 billion in annual export potential.

Olajubutu outlined ongoing digital initiatives such as USSD/SMS platforms, Interactive Voice Response (IVR), mobile applications, WhatsApp and YouTube video content, and radio broadcasts. She also highlighted the National Electronic Extension Platform (NEEP), launched in 2025 to deliver localized advice in farmers’ native languages. However, challenges remain, particularly high data costs, poor infrastructure, and limited rural digital literacy.

Barriers and Stakeholder Perspectives

A participant poll revealed digital literacy (57%) as the greatest barrier to adoption, followed by infrastructure (29%) and cost (14%). Additional challenges include illiteracy, gender disparities, language barriers, and weak trust in government-led initiatives.

When asked who should drive Nigeria’s digital extension transformation, 73% of participants favored public-private partnerships (PPPs), reflecting the need for collective leadership among government, private sector, and farmer organizations.

Policy Imperatives and Vision for the Future

Olajubutu stressed that policies must go beyond technology promotion to farmer-centered solutions. She identified three imperatives:

1. Localized solutions tailored to Nigeria’s diverse agro-ecological zones.
   
2. Farmer-centric approaches that empower rather than impose.
   
3. Robust regulation, including data privacy and digital rights protections.
   

Through Slido polls, participants articulated a shared vision for an inclusive, accessible, and sustainable agricultural future enabled by digital extension—anchored on improved infrastructure, excellence in service delivery, and long-term sustainability.

Policy Windows and Theoretical Framework

Olajubutu introduced the Multiple Streams Framework (MSF), which explains that policy change occurs when:

• The problem stream (food insecurity, extension inefficiencies) is recognized.
  
• The policy stream (tested digital solutions) is available.
  
• The politics stream (political will, reform momentum, international interest) is favorable.
  

She argued that Nigeria currently stands at a policy window, making this a crucial moment to drive reforms.

Building Sustainable Digital Agricultural Extension

Three critical pillars for sustainable extension were emphasized:

• Digital Infrastructure and Access – electricity, internet, and affordable devices for rural farmers.
  
• Content Development and Capacity Building – localized, farmer-friendly, and inclusive content.
  
• Sustainability and Scaling – ensuring long-term adoption through funding, inclusivity, and gender/youth-responsive approaches.
  

Participants further highlighted the need for hybrid models where digital tools complement traditional extension officers, alongside innovations like helplines for remote farmer support.

Reflections and Next Steps

Dr. Nathaniel S. Olutegbe emphasized the lack of coordination among stakeholders and the limited implementation of existing frameworks such as the NITDA digital agriculture strategy. He advocated for decentralization and stronger mainstreaming at local levels.

In closing, Mr. Iredele Ogunbayo commended the session’s insights, affirming that digital extension is indispensable for Nigeria’s agricultural transformation. He urged all stakeholders to actively invest in infrastructure, awareness creation, and collaborative advocacy.

Conclusion

The 15th Edition of the PiLAF Brown Bag Series reaffirmed that digital agricultural extension is not optional but essential for Nigeria’s agricultural future. By seizing current policy windows, strengthening partnerships, and placing farmers at the center of the digital transition, Nigeria can advance toward a more resilient, inclusive, and food-secure future.

PiLAF remains committed to convening expert-led dialogues and equipping stakeholders with actionable knowledge to drive transformative agricultural policy and practice.