Nigeria is turning to AI in agriculture to combat a growing pest crisis threatening the country’s tomato harvest.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has called for urgent adoption of artificial intelligence to detect and manage Tuta Absoluta, a destructive pest often called “tomato ebola.”
Dr Tijani made the call while delivering a keynote at the first public lecture organised under the Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Research Scheme (NAIRS). The event, held virtually, was hosted in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Lagos Business School.
Linking AI to Food Security
At the lecture, researchers unveiled a solution developed by the Tomato Ebola Research Consortium, one of 45 groups that received Nigeria’s inaugural AI research grant. The team includes experts from New Zealand, the UK, Canada, and Nigeria. Their work uses artificial intelligence to detect and manage tomato diseases at an early stage.
“What we are witnessing today is the beginning of a series of public lectures that can lead to startups and AI applications to solve common problems in our nation,” Dr Tijani said. He stressed that building a strong AI ecosystem can place Nigeria in a position of leadership across Africa.
The Minister noted that AI offers more than just advanced technology. He described it as a tool that can increase productivity and expand Nigeria’s GDP while also improving food security.
A Bigger AI Agenda
The NAIRS lecture series is designed to showcase domestic research that could evolve into commercial ventures. It aims to connect researchers with policymakers and entrepreneurs, creating solutions that address national priorities.
Dr Tijani commended the researchers for proving that Nigerian talent can produce global innovations. “With this public lecture series, I do hope that Nigeria will begin to show the world that we are not just paying lip service to AI but we’re truly building it to improve the lot of our people to achieve shared prosperity,” he added.
Future lectures under the NAIRS programme are expected to feature projects on healthcare, climate change, education, and national security.
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