The Federal College of Agriculture (FECA), Akure, has called on farmers and young Nigerians to adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to transform agriculture and strengthen food security across the country.
Dr. Ademola Ajayi, Head of the Department of Crop Production Technology at FECA, made the appeal on Wednesday during the institution’s annual lecture and inter-departmental quiz organised by the Kites Press Club. Represented by Mr. Sergius Iheanacho-Nwokeji, Ajayi delivered a lecture titled “The Role of AI in Agriculture and Food Security.”
He emphasized that the integration of AI into farming practices would help eliminate manual limitations and promote efficiency.
“AI presents transformative opportunities to overcome agricultural challenges. Nigerian farmers cannot afford to be left behind,” Ajayi said. “With tools like phones, drones, and laptops equipped with AI applications, farmers can increase output and manage resources more efficiently.”
Ajayi also encouraged youths to see agriculture and technology not as separate paths but as complementary sectors that can power Nigeria’s future.
“You don’t need to leave agriculture to enter tech. Our young people can create a new generation of smart farms and modern food systems,” he noted. “Nigeria’s prosperity lies in the hands of those we empower to farm, lead, and innovate.”
He called on government bodies, academic institutions, the private sector, and farming communities to embrace AI as a critical tool in solving the nation’s food security challenges. According to him, AI can improve productivity, reduce waste, expand mechanisation, and ensure affordable food supply.
“If we enhance production, yields will increase. That will translate to higher output, making food more available and affordable,” he said. “With the right strategies, Nigeria can lead AI-powered agriculture in Africa.”
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Joshua Ayantayo, Coordinator of the FECA Kites Press Club and a lecturer in the General Studies Department, said the annual lecture and quiz were designed to promote reading culture and increase student awareness of the importance of AI in agriculture.
“The goal is to help students see education as the key to success, rather than chasing quick wealth,” Ayantayo said.
He noted that six departments participated in the quiz at both the National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) levels.
In the HND category, the Department of Animal Health and Production Technology emerged first, followed by Agricultural Extension and Management in second place, and Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineering in third.
At the ND level, Animal Health and Production Technology again took first place, while Computer Science came second and Fisheries Technology placed third.