01/04/2026
KADA Strengthens Agricultural Extension Through Strategic MoU for Nigeria Public–Private Partnership – AI-Enabled Digital Advisory Planning (NPPP-AI-DAP)
1. Earlier today, Kaduna State has taken a significant step toward transforming agricultural extension services with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Extension Africa, Kaduna State Ministry of Agriculture and the Kaduna State Agricultural Development Agency (KADA). The partnership aims to enhance farmers’ access to timely, data-driven advisory services through digital innovation.
2. The Nigeria Public–Private Partnership – AI-Enabled Digital Advisory Planning (NPPP-AI-DAP) initiative is a planning-phase public–private partnership aimed at laying the institutional, policy and governance foundations for a scalable, AI-enabled agricultural extension and advisory platform in Nigeria. As part of this planning phase, State-Level Tripartite Coordination Committees are established in selected pilot states to provide structured coordination, alignment, and oversight during design and readiness activities.
3. In his welcome address, Dr. Godwin Atser, Country Director of the Sasakawa Africa Association, emphasized the importance of strengthening extension systems to meet the evolving needs of farmers. He further commended KADA and the Extension Africa for the proactive adoption of digital solutions and collaborative partnerships.
4. Delivering the opening remarks, the Honourable Commissioner of Agriculture, Murtala Dabo, reaffirmed the state government’s efforts to modernize agriculture through strategic collaborations. He emphasized that leveraging technology would improve knowledge dissemination and boost productivity across value chains.
5. In his keynote address, the General Manager, Malam Muhammad RILI, described the partnership as a milestone in advancing extension delivery. He highlighted that integrating digital tools would bridge existing gaps between research institutions, extension agents and farmers, ultimately improving outcomes at the grassroots level. He further stressed the importance of strengthening extension systems to meet the evolving needs of farmers.
6. A major highlight of the event was a presentation by the CEO of Extension Africa, Yahaya Tajuddeen, on an AI-enabled digital advisory platform designed to provide real-time, location-specific guidance to farmers. The platform is expected to enhance decision-making, increase resilience to climate variability, and support higher yields.
7. Goodwill messages from representatives of the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS), the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), and the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) underscored the importance of collaboration among research institutions, extension providers and development partners. They commended Kaduna State for its forward-looking approach and expressed optimism about the initiative’s impact on agricultural development.
8. The event marks a new phase in Kaduna’s efforts to harness innovation and partnerships in building a more responsive and effective agricultural extension system.
Signed:
Information and Public Relations Unit,
KADA