Opinion
Improving Food Security Using Digital Solutions
Food is one of the basic necessities of life that every living being needs to remain alive and contribute to societal productivity. However, a lot of problems and challenges have been hindering the full realisation of the potential attributed to the agricultural sector in Nigeria and other developing countries, thereby making food security unattainable. In a positive light, a quiet revolution is underway, powered not by traditional tools alone, but also by the digital innovations of the 21st century. At the heart of this transformation lies a strategic partnership between Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), aimed at catalysing progress in digital agriculture and ensuring food security across the nation. This partnership represents a pivotal shift in agricultural practices, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to address age-old challenges and usher in a new era of sustainability and productivity. Nigeria, with its vast agricultural potential and growing population faces a pressing need to modernise its farming practices to meet the demands of the food market. The integration of digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and blockchain into agriculture holds the promise of unlocking unprecedented efficiencies and insights.
Through the collaborative efforts of NITDA and USAID, these technologies can be harnessed to empower farmers, improve crop yields, optimise resource utilisation, and enhance overall agricultural resilience. By leveraging the expertise and resources of NITDA and USAID, Nigeria is poised to tap into the transformative potential of digital solutions tailored specifically for the agricultural domain. These solutions are designed to empower farmers, increase efficiency along the value chain, promote inclusive growth, and foster resilience in the face of evolving environmental and economic challenges. One of the key pillars of this digital revolution in agriculture is the deployment of IoT solutions across farming landscapes. IoT-enabled sensors embedded in soil and crops will offer real-time data on moisture levels, nutrient content, and disease prevalence. This data, transmitted and analysed through interconnected systems, enables farmers to make informed decisions regarding irrigation schedules, fertiliser application, and disease management. The advent of IoT-enabled precision agriculture extends beyond basic monitoring to encompass predictive analytics and automated control systems. By analysing data on environmental factors, crop health indicators, pest infestations, and equipment performance, farmers can proactively address challenges and optimise interventions.
By precisely monitoring soil conditions, water usage, and nutrient levels, farmers can optimise inputs such as fertilisers and irrigation, reducing waste and environmental impact. This not only conserves resources but also contributes to cost savings and long-term soil health, crucial factors for sustainable farming practices. Moreover, the scalability of IoT solutions further enhances their impact across different scales of agricultural operations. From smallholder farms to large agribusiness enterprises, IoT technologies can be tailored to meet specific needs and challenges. Complementing IoT advancements is the transformative potential of AI in agriculture, a domain where data-driven insights can unlock significant value. AI algorithms analyse vast datasets collected from farms, weather stations, and satellite imagery to generate actionable recommendations for farmers. From predicting optimal planting times and identifying crop diseases early to optimising supply chain logistics and predicting market trends, AI empowers farmers with precision tools for decision-making, mitigating risks, and maximising returns on investments. At the core of AI-driven agriculture lies the ability to process vast amounts of data collected from diverse sources such as satellites, drones, IoT sensors, and farm machinery. These data streams encompass a range of variables including weather patterns, soil characteristics, crop health indicators, and pest infestations. By ingesting, processing, and analysing this data in real time, AI systems can generate valuable recommendations and alerts for farmers, enabling them to make informed decisions promptly.
Also, AI in agriculture can be predictive modeling, where algorithms forecast outcomes based on historical data and current environmental conditions. For example, AI models can predict optimal planting times, recommend crop varieties suited to specific soil types, and forecast yield expectations based on weather forecasts and agronomic factors. By integrating these predictions into farm management practices, farmers can optimise input use, minimise risks, and maximise productivity across their operations. AI-powered image recognition and analysis techniques can also play a crucial role in monitoring crop health and detecting pest or disease outbreaks early. By analysing aerial or ground-based imagery captured by drones or satellites, AI algorithms can identify subtle changes in plant foliage, detect anomalies indicative of pest infestations or nutrient deficiencies, and alert farmers to take targeted corrective actions. This proactive approach not only minimises yield losses but also reduces the reliance on chemical inputs, promoting sustainable farming practices. The integration of AI extends beyond on-farm operations to encompass supply chain optimisation and market intelligence. AI-driven logistics and inventory management systems can optimise storage conditions, transportation routes, and distribution networks for agricultural products, reducing waste and ensuring timely delivery to markets. Moreover, AI-powered market analysis tools provide farmers with insights into price trends, demand fluctuations, consumer preferences, and market opportunities, empowering them to make strategic marketing and pricing decisions.
The technology addresses the challenges of consumer’s lack of confidence, inefficiency and vulnerabilities such as counterfeiting and supply chain disruptions, by creating a tamper-proof and verifiable record of every transaction and process involved in the production, processing, and distribution of agricultural goods. By recording transactions, contracts, and product provenance on tamper-proof distributed ledgers, blockchain ensures authenticity and accountability from farm to fork. Farmers, consumers, retailers, and regulators can verify the quality, origin, and ethical standards of agricultural products, enhancing market access, reducing food fraud, and fostering fair trade practices. Farmers can also digitally register their produce at the point of harvest, capturing essential data points such as location, time, crop variety, farming practices, and quality parameters.
This data, once recorded on the blockchain, becomes immutable, ensuring that subsequent transactions and transformations along the supply chain are traceable to their origin.
This level of transparency instills trust among consumers who can access detailed information about the journey of their food from farm to table, including certifications, sustainability practices, and ethical standards. Moreover, blockchain facilitates seamless and secure transactions throughout the supply chain, delays, and costs associated with traditional paper-based processes and intermediaries. Smart contracts, programmable agreements executed automatically when predefined conditions are met, streamline payment processes, facilitate real-time settlements, and ensure fair compensation for farmers based on agreed-upon terms such as quality standards, delivery timelines, and pricing mechanisms. Also, it should be noted that the success of any agricultural innovation hinges not only on its technological prowess but also on its ability to scale impact and reach diverse stakeholders across the agricultural value chain. Scaling the impact of digital innovations in agriculture requires a multifaceted approach that addresses infrastructural challenges, fosters collaboration among stakeholders, promotes policy coherence, and ensures inclusive access to technology and knowledge.
Shuaib S. Agaka
Agaka, a tech journalist, writes in from Kano.
The political atmosphere in Rivers State has been anything but calm in 2025. Yet, a rare moment of unity was witnessed on Saturday, June 28, when Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, appeared side by side at the funeral of Elder Temple Omezurike Onuoha, Wike’s late uncle. What could have passed for a routine condolence visit evolved into a significant political statement—a symbolic show of reconciliation in a state bruised by deep political strife.
The funeral, attended by dignitaries from across the nation, was more than a moment of shared grief. It became the public reflection of a private peace accord reached earlier at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. There, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought together Governor Fubara, Minister Wike, the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and other lawmakers to chart a new path forward.
For Rivers people, that truce is a beacon of hope. But they are not content with photo opportunities and promises. What they demand now is the immediate lifting of the state of emergency declared in March 2025, and the unconditional reinstatement of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Dr. Ngozi Odu, and all suspended lawmakers. They insist on the restoration of their democratic mandate.
President Tinubu’s decision to suspend the entire structure of Rivers State’s elected leadership and appoint a sole administrator was a drastic response to a deepening political crisis. While it may have prevented a complete breakdown in governance, it also robbed the people of their voice. That silence must now end.
The administrator, retired naval chief Ibok-Ette Ibas, has managed a caretaker role. But Rivers State cannot thrive under unelected stewardship. Democracy must return—not partially, not symbolically, but fully. President Tinubu has to ensure that the people’s will, expressed through the ballot, is restored in word and deed.
Governor Fubara, who will complete his six-month suspension by September, was elected to serve the people of Rivers, not to be sidelined by political intrigues. His return should not be ceremonial. It should come with the full powers and authority vested in him by the constitution and the mandate of Rivers citizens.
The people’s frustration is understandable. At the heart of the political crisis was a power tussle between loyalists of Fubara and those of Wike. Institutions, particularly the State House of Assembly, became battlegrounds. Attempts were made to impeach Fubara. The situation deteriorated into a full-blown crisis, and governance was nearly brought to its knees.
But the tide must now turn. With the Senate’s approval of a record ?1.485 trillion budget for Rivers State for 2025, a new opportunity has emerged. This budget is not just a fiscal document—it is a blueprint for transformation, allocating ?1.077 trillion for capital projects alone. Yet, without the governor’s reinstatement, its execution remains in doubt.
It is Governor Fubara, and only him, who possesses the people’s mandate to execute this ambitious budget. It is time for him to return to duty with vigor, responsibility, and a renewed sense of urgency. The people expect delivery—on roads, hospitals, schools, and job creation.
Rivers civil servants, recovering from neglect and under appreciation, should also continue to be a top priority. Fubara should continue to ensure timely payment of salaries, address pension issues, and create a more effective, motivated public workforce. This is how governance becomes real in people’s lives.
The “Rivers First” mantra with which Fubara campaigned is now being tested. That slogan should become policy. It must inform every appointment, every contract, every budget decision, and every reform. It must reflect the needs and aspirations of the ordinary Rivers person—not political patrons or vested interests.
Beyond infrastructure and administration, political healing is essential. Governor Fubara and Minister Wike must go beyond temporary peace. They should actively unite their camps and followers to form one strong political family. The future of Rivers cannot be built on division.
Political appointments, both at the Federal and State levels, must reflect a spirit of fairness, tolerance, and inclusivity. The days of political vendettas and exclusive lists must end. Every ethnic group, every gender, and every generation must feel included in the new Rivers project.
Rivers is too diverse to be governed by one faction. Lasting peace can only be built on concessions, maturity, and equity. The people are watching to see if the peace deal will lead to deeper understanding or simply paper over cracks in an already fragile political arrangement.
Wike, now a national figure as Minister of the FCT, has a responsibility to rise above the local fray and support the development of Rivers State. His influence should bring federal attention and investment to the state, not political interference or division.
Likewise, Fubara should lead with restraint, humility, and a focus on service delivery. His return should not be marked by revenge or political purges but by inclusive leadership that welcomes even former adversaries into the process of rebuilding the state.
“The people are no longer interested in power struggles. They want light in their streets, drugs in their hospitals, teachers in their classrooms, and jobs for their children. The politics of ego and entitlement have to give way to governance with purpose.
The appearance of both leaders at the funeral was a glimpse of what unity could look like. That moment should now evolve into a movement-one that prioritizes Rivers State over every personal ambition. Let it be the beginning of true reconciliation and progress.
As September draws near, the Federal government should act decisively to end the state of emergency and reinstate all suspended officials. Rivers State must return to constitutional order and normal democratic processes. This is the minimum requirement of good governance.
The crisis in Rivers has dragged on for too long. The truce is a step forward, but much more is needed. Reinstating Governor Fubara, implementing the ?1.485 trillion budget, and uniting political factions are now the urgent tasks ahead. Rivers people have suffered enough. It is time to restore leadership, rebuild trust, and finally put Rivers first.
By: Amieyeofori Ibim
Amieyeofori Ibim is former Editor of The Tide Newspapers, political analyst and public affairs commentator
Do the Fulani herdsmen have an expansionists agenda, like their progenitor, Uthman Dan Fodio? Why are they everywhere even the remotest part of other areas in Nigeria harassing, maiming, raping and killing the owners of the land?”
In a swift reaction, The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) decried and strongly condemned the invasion by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
In his denunciation, MOSOP President Fegalo Nsuke described the incident as very unfortunate and deeply troubling, warning against a recurrence of the violence experienced in Benue State. “The killing of yesterday is bad and very unfortunate. We are getting preliminary information about how the herders gained access to the farmland, and it appears some hoodlums may be collecting money and granting access illegally.”
He called on the Hausa community in Rivers State to intervene swiftly to prevent further attacks.
“We want the Hausa community in Rivers State to take urgent action to ensure these issues are resolved”.
But will such appeal and requests end the violent disposition of the Fulani herdsmen? It is not saying something new that the escalating threat and breach of peace across the country by the Fulani herdsmen or those suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, leaves much to be desired in a country that is bedevilled by multi-dimensional challenges and hydra-headed problems.
Some upland Local Government Areas of Rivers State, such as Etche, Omuma, Emohua, Ikwerre, Oyigbo, Abua, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, have severally recounted their ordeals, as herdsmen invaded farmlands, destroyed crops, raped female farmers and killed protestant residents.
Again the wanton destruction of lives and properties which no doubt has overwhelmed the Nigerian Police, makes the clamour for State Police, indispensable. The National Assembly should consider the amendment of the Constitution to allow States to have their Statutory policing agencies.
As insurgency has risen to an all time high in the country were killings has now grown to be a normal daily activity in some part of the nation it may not be safe to say that Nigeria still practices democracy.
Several massacres coming from the Boko Haram and the herdsmen amongst all other insurgencies which have led to the destruction of homes and killing, burning of communities especially in the northern part of the country. All these put together are result of the ethnic battles that are fought between the tribes of Nigeria and this can be witnessed in Benue State where herders and farmers have been in constant clashes for ages. They have experienced nothing but casualties and unrest.
In the month of June 13-14, the Yelwata attack at the Guma Local Government Area by suspected gunmen or herdsmen who stormed the houses of innocent IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) claiming the lives of families, both adults and children estimated to be 200 victims. They were all burnt alive by these unknown gunmen.
This has been recorded as one of the deadliest insurgencies that had happened in recent years. Some security personnel that were trying to fight the unknown gunmen also lost their lives.
Prior to the Yelewata attack, two days before the happening, similar conflict took place in Makurdi on June 11, 2025. 25 people were killed in the State. Even in Plateau State and the Southern Kaduna an attack also took place in the month of June.
All other states that make up the Middle Belt have been experiencing the farmers/herders clash for years now and it has persisted up till recent times, claiming lives of families and children, homes and lands, escalating in 2025 with coordinated assaults.
Various authorities and other villagers who fled for safety also blamed the herdsmen in the State for the attack that happened in Yelwata community.
Ehebha God’stime is an Intern with The Tide.
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