FUNAAB Hosts DIGISOL Workshop on Digital Tools for Agricultural Extension

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) has commenced a Two-Day Capacity-Building Workshop under the DIGISOL Project, aimed at strengthening agricultural extension services through digital innovation. The workshop, which began on February 19, 2026, brought together agricultural officers, ICT experts, policymakers, and other stakeholders to explore the deployment of digital tools for improved service delivery.

Declaring the workshop open, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, represented by the Director, Directorate of Academic Planning, Prof. Olajide Sogunle, commended the DIGISOL team and partner institutions for sustaining the collaborative initiative. He noted that similar workshops held at partner universities had underscored the project’s relevance and impact.

The Vice-Chancellor described Extension professionals as key drivers in translating agricultural research into practical solutions, bridging the gap between innovation and farmers in remote communities. He urged participants to maximise the training to ensure effective knowledge transfer to grassroots farmers, stressing that stronger research–farmer linkages would enhance productivity and innovation. He also highlighted the cross-cutting importance of digital capacity building across agricultural sub-sectors.

Earlier in his Welcome Address, the DIGISOL Zonal Project Coordinator at FUNAAB, Prof. Adewale Dipeolu, stated that the workshop reflected the University’s commitment to building resilient, technology-driven agricultural systems. He explained that the DIGISOL Project seeks to strengthen extension systems through context-specific digital solutions anchored on research, innovation, capacity building, and policy engagement.

Describing the programme as a “train-the-trainer” initiative, Prof. Dipeolu noted that participants were being equipped with practical skills to deploy digital platforms for farmer engagement, improved market access, climate-smart practices, and alternative livelihoods.

Also speaking, the DIGISOL Project Manager, Prof. Christopher Eze, highlighted the importance of digital transformation in addressing contemporary agricultural challenges. He noted that the FUNAAB workshop was the third and concluding session in the series, following earlier trainings at the University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo and Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, demonstrating the project’s multi-institutional approach.

Providing an international perspective, DIGISOL Project Team Leader, Mr. Chris Addy-Nayo, emphasised the role of digitalisation in expanding agricultural opportunities across West Africa. He advocated for indigenous digital applications tailored to local realities, noting that Nigeria has the capacity to lead ICT-driven agricultural transformation in the sub-region.

Delivering the Keynote Address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Forestry, Ogun State, Dr. Adekunle Oyesanwen, described agricultural extension as a critical bridge linking research, policy, and farmers. He observed that extension delivery has evolved from labour-intensive methods to technology-enabled, data-driven systems supported by mobile platforms, GIS, remote sensing, and interactive communication tools.

While acknowledging challenges such as infrastructure gaps and limited digital literacy, he stressed that initiatives like DIGISOL are vital for building the digital competence of frontline extension workers and ensuring sustainable impact.

Technical sessions featured presentations by the Dean, College of Computing Sciences, Prof. Oluwasefunmi Arogundade, on digital platforms for extension delivery; Engr. Bolaji Ogidan on global best practices; Mr. Olufemi Akinniyi of OGADEP on the evolution of extension systems; Dr. Olorunjube Falana on content creation for digitised extension; and Dr. Chikamso Apeh on climate-smart agriculture and digital advisory tools.

Dignitaries in attendance included the Director, Agricultural Media Resources and Extension Centre (AMREC), Prof. Jacob Olaoye; DIGISOL Team Members, Dr. Adetayo Aromolaran and Dr. Folasade Oke; and the National Coordinator of the DIGISOL Project from the University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Prof. Chinasaokwu Onyemauwa.