At the 2025 Oyo Agribusiness Summit in Ibadan, Afrimash, a fast-growing agritech company headquartered in the city, took centre stage in conversations focused on strengthening Nigeria’s food security through technology-driven solutions.
The summit, which brought together policymakers, agribusiness leaders, technology innovators, farmers, and development partners, served as a platform to examine how innovation can unlock productivity across Nigeria’s agricultural value chains. Afrimash’s participation stood out for its emphasis on inclusive digital tools designed to work for both smallholder and commercial farmers.
Speaking during a panel session, Afrimash Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Akinwumi Oyedotun, explained how technology has moved from being optional to becoming critical for the survival and growth of agriculture in Nigeria. He noted that farmers are increasingly embracing digital solutions, not as luxury tools, but as practical responses to persistent challenges such as limited access to quality inputs, poor advisory services, and fragmented supply chains.
“Technology is no longer just a convenience; it is a necessity in addressing Nigeria’s most complex agricultural challenges,” Oyedotun said. “The future of food production will depend heavily on innovation, and farmers already understand this reality.”
A major highlight of Afrimash’s presence at the summit was the visit by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who toured the company’s exhibition stand as part of his official engagement at the event. During the visit, Oyedotun provided a practical demonstration of Afrimash’s digital ecosystem, emphasising how the platform is designed to be accessible even to farmers with limited digital literacy.
He showed how farmers using basic mobile phones without internet access can order livestock inputs, receive veterinary guidance, track deliveries, and connect with trusted suppliers through Afrimash’s USSD service. This feature, he explained, helps bridge the digital divide that often excludes rural farmers from modern agricultural services.
In addition, Oyedotun introduced the governor to AVA (Afrimash Virtual Advisor), an AI-powered advisory tool available on WhatsApp. AVA allows farmers to send voice notes in their local languages and receive instant, tailored responses on key livestock management areas, including animal feeding, disease prevention, treatment options, and breed selection. The tool is designed to deliver timely support, especially for farmers who lack access to extension officers and veterinary professionals.
Governor Makinde expressed strong interest in the solutions, noting their potential to support farmers in hard to reach communities where access to reliable information, quality inputs, and professional guidance remains a challenge. He commended Afrimash’s approach, particularly its focus on practical, scalable innovations that align with the state’s broader agricultural development goals.
Afrimash’s participation at the summit reinforced its growing reputation as a key player in Nigeria’s agritech ecosystem. By combining digital platforms with on the ground understanding of farmers’ realities, the company continues to position itself as a catalyst for sustainable food production and improved livelihoods across the country.