From Information to Impact: Rethinking Agricultural Extension and Rural Development in a Changing World

What does agricultural extension need to becomein a rapidly changing world?

This speech began after Professor O.O Oyedele, the Director of Research at NIHORT (National Institute for Horticultural Research) had given a brilliant lecture on the evolution of agriculture and agricultural extension and the challenges, condensing a long history into 40mins lecture while also exposing to the opportunities and giving thoughts about the future.

Toheeb Azeez on mounting the podium for his keynote speech asked if the students present had recorded the lecture as he found it deeply insightful giving him a succinct refresher of what he had learnt in his undergraduate days.

He reminded of societal changes to globalization and multiculturalism and told a funny story revealed to him in a podcast conversation with Emeritus Professor Janice E. OIawoye (an American married to a Yoruba Nigerian and had lecture at the University of Ibadan) where in her early days of settling in Nigeria Prof. Olawoye would take public transports in Ibadan and people would say things in Yoruba not knowing she understands Yoruba, where she would say ẹṣe (thank you in Yoruba) on alighting and the co-passengers would get stunned.

Toheeb proceeded to preparing the listeners for an expansive thinking of agricultural extension informing of his podcast conversation with Professor Kehinde Thomas (that ably represented the H.O.D Professor Olutokunbo Oyesola) where he had viewed extension practice as operating in the "Market Place of Development" portraying depth of activities and possibilities.

Azeez then spoke briefly to Professor Oyedele about the low diversity of reared fish species in Nigeria compared to many varieties of crops. He did so to stir the research and knowledge gaps that he would touch on in his presentations. Toheeb Azeez then dived into the keynote speech fully.

In this keynote delivered at the Professor Janice E. Olawoye Personality Lecture during AERDSA Week ’26, Toheeb Azeez explores the changing role of agricultural extension and rural development and why the future must go beyond simply transferring information to farmers.

The central question is simple but important: In a world where information is everywhere, why are so many farmers,young people and rural communities still disconnected from the knowledge,opportunities, technologies, markets and systems that could improve theirlives?

The address examines the gap between information and impact, and explores how agricultural extension can evolve from traditional information delivery toward problem-solving, meaningful communication, innovation, opportunity creation and stronger connections between research, practice and communities.

The keynote also considers:

• Why information does not automatically translate into impact
• The changing role of agricultural extension professionals
• Digital technology, AI and the future of extension
• Connecting agricultural research with real-world practice
• The importance of agricultural communication
• Preparing students and young professionals for a changing agricultural sector
• Moving beyond the search for jobs toward value creation and entrepreneurship
• The role of universities in shaping the future of agriculture
• Why extension must increasingly look beyond the farmand engage with the wider food and development system

The conversation ultimately challenges a new generation of agricultural professionals to think differently about knowledge, communication, opportunity and impact.

🎙️ Keynote: Toheeb Azeez
Professor Janice E. Olawoye PersonalityLecture | AERDSA Week ’26

Listen, reflect, and join the conversation onthe future of agricultural extension and rural development.

#AgriculturalExtension #RuralDevelopment #Agriculture #FoodSystems #AgriculturalEducation #TheLasgidiFarmerPodcast #AERDSAWeek26 #AgriculturalCommunication

Empowerment Beyond the Farm: Cross-Cultural Lessons, Value Addition & Livelihood Strategies for Rural Women

What does true empowerment look like for rural women in agriculture?In this powerful episode of The Lasgidi Farmer Podcast, we sit with Professor Sarafat Ayanfunke Tijani, a leading scholar in Agricultural Extension and Rural Development at the University of Ibadan.

Drawing from her research in Japan and Nigeria, Professor Tijani unpacks practical and research-backed strategies that go beyond traditional farming.

We explore:

• Lessons from Japan’s Direct Farmers’ Markets and how they can transform women’s economic power
• Value addition in shea butter, tomato processing, and other agricultural products
• The role of home economics and non-farm income activities in building household resilience
• Livelihood diversification strategies that strengthen food security
• What an effective extension paradigm shift should look like for rural women in Nigeria

This conversation delivers deep insights for agricultural extension officers, rural development practitioners, policymakers, gender advocates, agribusiness professionals, researchers, and anyone passionate about inclusive agricultural development.

Whether you work in the field or influence policy, this episode offers timeless lessons on how to design empowerment approaches that create real impact.

Listen now and discover how rural women can thrive beyond the farm.

Guest: Professor Sarafat Ayanfunke Tijani
Department of Agricultural Extension & Rural Development, University of Ibadan

#WomenInAgriculture #AgriculturalExtension #RuralDevelopment #ValueAddition #SheaButter #LivelihoodDiversification #GenderAndAgriculture #NigerianAgriculture

Why agricultural extension? What makes someone choose the field—and stay committed to it for years?

In Part I of Extension Beyond Boundaries, The Lasgidi Farmer Podcast sits down with Prof. Olutokunbo Oyesola, Head of the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, University of Ibadan, for a personal conversation about the journey behind the position.

Before discussing the future of agricultural extension, its challenges and the opportunities ahead, this conversation begins with Prof. Oyesola himself.

He introduces his professional journey, reflects on what first drew him to agricultural extension, and shares what has kept him committed to the discipline.

He also opens up about becoming Head of the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development—his reflections on taking on the responsibility and what the role means to him.

🌱 Why agricultural extension?
What led Prof. Oyesola into the field and shaped his professional path?

🎓 The journey behind the profession
The experiences and influences that helped shape his career in agricultural extension.

🔎 What keeps a professional in the field?
His reflections on why agricultural extension has remained an important part of his work.

🏛️ Becoming Head of Department
His thoughts and reflections on taking on leadership of one of Nigeria's important agricultural extension and rural development departments.

🌍 The meaning of agricultural extension
A conversation that provides context for the deeper discussion that follows in Parts II and III.

Part I introduces the person, journey and perspective behind the role.

In Part II, the conversation moves deeper into Prof. Oyesola's vision for agricultural extension, the challenges facing the discipline, innovation and emerging opportunities.

Part III continues into questions around students and youth, skills, partnerships, institutional impact and the future role of agricultural extension in sustainable food systems.

Together, the three parts form a broader conversation about where agricultural extension has been, where it is today, and where it can go next.

Agricultural extension sits at an important intersection between research, knowledge, innovation and the people who need that knowledge most.

As agriculture changes through technology, changing farmer needs, new forms of agricultural enterprise, climate pressures and evolving food systems, the question is not simply whether agricultural extension remains relevant.

It is also how agricultural extension must evolve to remain useful, accessible and impactful.

That larger conversation begins here.

Prof. Olutokunbo Oyesola
Head, Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Professor of Rural Sociology and Social Safeguard Specialist.
University of Ibadan, Nigeria

The Lasgidi Farmer Podcast explores Food, Agriculture & Development Issues through conversations that connect research, policy and real-world realities.

We bring together farmers, researchers, academics, entrepreneurs, policymakers, innovators, development professionals and other voices shaping agriculture and food systems in Nigeria, Africa and the world.

Conversations for a Sustainable Food Future.

What first attracted you to agriculture or agricultural extension?

And what do you think makes agricultural extension professionals remain committed to the field?

Share your thoughts and perspectives.

Follow The Lasgidi Farmer Podcast on Spotify and continue with Parts II and III of Extension Beyond Boundaries.#AgriculturalExtension #Agriculture #RuralDevelopment #NigeriaAgriculture #TheLasgidiFarmerPodcast #UniversityOfIbadan #AgriculturalInnovation #FoodSystems

AGAINST THE ODDS: Building an Aquaculture Business in Nigeria as a Woman

Nigeria has enormous potential for aquaculture, but what does it actually take to build a fish farming business in an industry facing high feed costs, challenging operating conditions, weak purchasing power and questions around fish genetics and input security?

In this episode of The Lasgidi Farmer Podcast, Bukola Mustapha, CEO of Bukky Farms, shares the realities of building an aquaculture business in Nigeria after starting withjust 600 fish and growing to a production scale of around 30,000 fish.

The conversation goes behind the ponds to examine the issues shaping Nigeria's fish farming industry: fish breeds and fingerling quality, inbreeding, hatchery practices, feed security, rising production costs, pricing, profitability and the importance of knowing your true cost of production.

Bukola also speaks candidly about what it means to be a woman in aquaculture, from inequitable access to finance and the perception that fish production is a man's space, to the physical demands of farming and the pressure on women to focus on processing and value addition rather than production itself.

Her message is clear: women should be able to build businesses around the areas of agriculture they are passionate about. With planning, strategy, determination and the right niche, there is room to thrive.

The episode also features Dauda Elijah, an NYSC intern at Bukky Farms, who offers a young person's perspective on practical experience, agricultural internships, technology,postharvest losses, research, value addition and the opportunities available beyond primary fish production.

Together, their perspectives reveal a bigger question:

If Nigeria wants aquaculture to become a stronger source of food, jobs, investment and economic opportunity, what needs to change?

From fish genetics and feed security to women entrepreneurs and the next generation of agricultural professionals, this is an honest conversation about the realities and possibilities of Nigeria's aquaculture industry.

Listen to the full conversation and tell us:
What is the biggest opportunity for Nigeria's aquaculture industry, and what is the biggest obstacle standing in its way?

#Aquaculture #FishFarming #NigeriaAgriculture #Agribusiness #AquacultureNigeria #FishFarmingNigeria #WomenInAgriculture #AgricultureNigeria #CatfishFarming #TilapiaFarming #YouthInAgriculture #AgriculturalEntrepreneurship

AFS Forum 2026: Unlocking Opportunities for Africa’s Food System | Youth, Agri-Finance & InnovationWhat does Africa’s food system need to become more productive, inclusive, resilient and capable of creating meaningful opportunities for young people?In this insightful conversation, we speak with Lucy Chioma Aniagolu, an agri-educator and founder of Agrodemy, about the upcoming African Food Systems Forum (AFS Forum) 2026 in Kigali, Rwanda.Drawing from her experience as a delegate, speaker and Rising Star Agripreneur of Africa award recipient, Lucy shares valuable insights into what makes AFS Forum such an important platform for Africa’s agriculture and food systems.In this episode, we explore:🌱 Why AFS Forum is one of the most important gatherings for Africa’s agricultural sector💰 The African agri-finance gap and why access to finance remains unequal👩🏾🌾 Why Africa needs to invest not only in agribusinesses, but also in agricultural talent🎓 The growing importance of agricultural education and career-based skills development💼 How youth employment can strengthen agricultural businesses and attract investment📱 The role of digital visibility in helping agripreneurs connect with funders, partners and opportunities🤝 Why collaboration and networking are critical to building a stronger food system🌍 How young Africans can use AFS Forum to understand global agricultural trends and identify new opportunities📋 Practical tips for first-time attendees and virtual participants at AFS Forum🚀 How to prepare, network intentionally, take actionable notes and follow up after the summit💡 Ideas for making AFS Forum even more inclusive and impactful, including youth orientation, watch parties and post-summit action resourcesOne of the key messages from this conversation is simple: don't just attend AFS Forum, be intentional about what you want to learn, who you want to meet and what you want to achieve.Whether you are a young agripreneur, farmer, agritech founder, agricultural professional, investor, policymaker, educator, student or simply interested in Africa's food systems, this conversation offers practical lessons you can take away.Watch, learn, share your thoughts and join the conversation on the future of Africa's food system.#AFSForum2026 #AfricanFoodSystems #Agriculture #AgriBusiness #AgriFinance #YouthInAgriculture #Agritech #FoodSecurity #AgriculturalEducation #Africa #AgriEntrepreneurship #Kigali #Rwanda #TheLasgidiFarmerPodcast

Beyond the Headlines: Understanding the Systems That Shape Nigeria’s Future

As Nigeria moves closer to another presidential election, the question of the country’s future is increasingly on the minds of Nigerians.

But beyond the question of who should lead Nigeria lies a deeper question: Why do some nations succeed while others struggle to realise their potential? And why, despite Nigeria’s enormous resources and progress in some areas, do millions of citizens continue to experience hardship?

Nigeria’s current development story presents a number of difficult contradictions. Economic reforms and recovery are being celebrated, yet concerns about living standards and human development remain. Oil production may be improving, but questions about energy affordability persist. Investment and financial markets may show positive signals, while many SMEs and ordinary Nigerians continue to struggle. Educational reforms are taking place, yet millions of children remain out of school. Security efforts continue, but kidnapping and insecurity still threaten lives, food production and investment.

And then there are the questions of leadership, democracy, institutions and citizenship.

How much of Nigeria’s development challenge can be attributed to leadership? What should development actually be measured by? Can economic growth be considered successful when its benefits are not broadly felt? How independent are the institutions that are expected to protect democracy and the rule of law? What role should religion, ethnicity and regional identity play in a secular and diverse state? And beyond government, what responsibility do citizens have for the country they want to see?

From the economy and elections to governance, law, security, education, agriculture, culture and international affairs, this conversation looks beyond individual headlines to the systems and connections behind them.

Because Nigeria's challenges do not exist in isolation. Leadership affects institutions. Institutions affect the economy. The economy affects livelihoods. Security affects food production and investment. Education and culture shape citizens. And citizens, in turn, shape the society they live in.

On this episode of The Lasgidi Farmer Podcast, we bring together different perspectives to examine these connections and ask a fundamental question:

What kind of systems, leadership and citizenship does Nigeria need to translate its enormous potential into meaningful development?

🎙️ Host: Toheeb Azeez — Agribusiness & Researcher
🎙️ Co-Host: Olugbenga Aderemi-Williams — Business, Economic & Political Analyst
🎙️ Speaker: Oladapo Quassim Olaniyonu Esq. — Lawyer & Public Affairs Analyst

🎙️ Speaker: Olanrewaju Sulaiman Lawal — Legal Practitioner🎙️ Speaker: Jibril Rufa’u — Legal Practitioner, Arbitrator & Political Analyst

Theme: Connecting the Dots – Understanding the Systems That Shape Development

🎧 Listen. Think. Question. Join the conversation.

The Lasgidi Farmer Podcast

Info. Insights. How-to. Opportunities.
Nigeria. Africa. Global.

#TheLasgidiFarmerPodcast #BeyondTheHeadlines #Nigeria #NigerianPolitics #NigeriaEconomy #NigeriaDevelopment #Governance #Leadership #Democracy #NigerianElections #EconomicReforms #HumanDevelopment #GoodGovernance #PublicPolicy #NigeriasFuture

The Digital Revolution in Nigerian Agriculture: How ICTs Are Transforming Extension Services and Reaching Smallholder Farmers

Can digital technologies truly transform agriculture in Nigeria? More importantly, how can they reach the millions of smallholder farmers who produce most of our food?

In this episode of The Lasgidi Farmer Podcast, we sit down with Professor Taofeeq Oyedeji Yekinni, Professor of Agricultural Extension Communication at the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, University of Ibadan, to explore how Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are reshaping agricultural extension services and the future of farming in Nigeria.

Drawing from years of research and practical experience, Professor Yekinni explains why digital transformation is no longer optional for Nigeria's agricultural development. We discuss how mobile phones, radio, SMS, social media, the internet, and emerging digital platforms are connecting farmers with timely information, research findings, advisory services, and market opportunities.

In this conversation, you'll discover:

• Why ICT-driven agricultural extension is essential for improving productivity and food security.
• How digital media can translate complex agricultural research into practical knowledge that farmers can easily understand and apply.
• Why poor internet connectivity and weak rural infrastructure remain major barriers to digital inclusion.
• The often-overlooked importance of traditional communication tools such as radio and SMS in overcoming language, literacy, trust, and affordability challenges.
• Why a hybrid extension approach -combining traditional and digital media -is the most effective way to reach diverse farming communities.
• The growing risks of agricultural misinformation on social media and how farmers can access credible, verified information for better decision-making.

This episode offers valuable insights for farmers, extension professionals, researchers, students, policymakers, agribusiness professionals, development practitioners, and anyone interested in the future of agriculture in Nigeria and Africa.

🎧 Listen now and join the conversation on how digital innovation can build a more inclusive, resilient, and productive agricultural sector.

Guest: Professor Taofeeq Oyedeji Yekinni
Host: Toheeb Azeez
Podcast: The Lasgidi Farmer Podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a rating, and share it with someone passionate about agriculture, innovation, and, rural and sustainable development.

#NigerianAgriculture #DigitalAgriculture #ICTs4Ag #PrecisionAgriculture #SmartFarming #RuralDevelopment #AgriculturalExtension #NigerianFarmers #RuralNigeria #AgriculturalResearch #AgriculturalPolicy #DigitalInclusion #RuralConnectivity #FoodSystems #TheLasgidiFarmerPodcast

Title: World Cup, Wars & Weather: How Global Events Shape Food Systems Subtitle: FIFA World Cup 2026 • Israel-Iran Conflict • Russia-Ukraine War • Climate Change • Oil Prices • AfCFTA • Dangote Refinery • Insecurity • Education & Development

What do football, war, climate change, oil prices, trade, education, insecurity, and politics have in common? They all shape our food systems.

Welcome to our weekly globaland local affairs discussion, where we connect the dots between major events and their often-overlooked impacts on agriculture, food systems, rural livelihoods, and sustainable development.

At The Lasgidi Farmer Podcast, we believe food systems are shaped not only by what happens on the farm, but also by decisions made in boardrooms, parliaments, international institutions, financial markets, and conflict zones.

In this episode, we begin with the recently concluded FIFA World Cup 2026, exploring why it was far more than a football tournament. We unpack the intricate links between sport, entertainment, food, culture, tourism, trade, politics, anddevelopment, showing how the tournament relied on complex supply chains, farmers, food processors, logistics, hospitality, MSMEs, and public infrastructure. We also examine both the opportunities and the hidden costs for host economies, including public expenditure, food systems, local businesses, and national development priorities.

The conversation then shifts to global geopolitics, examining the renewed Israel-Iran conflict, the prolonged Russia-Ukraine war, and their far-reaching consequences for energy markets, food prices, climate resilience, humanitarian assistance, andvulnerable economies across Africa. We also discuss the growing influence of El Niño and increasingly extreme weather events, from heatwaves and droughts to flash floods in Lagos and Abia States and what they mean for food production and livelihoods.

We also examine the recurring volatility in global oil markets, the role of the Dangote Refinery in strengthening Nigeria's domestic energy security, and the public debate over fuel pricing, affordability, and the wider implications for food production,transportation, and inflation.

Across Africa, we discuss regional integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), ECOWAS' ambition for a single West African currency, and the opportunities andchallenges facing the continent regarding this and also other important issues. Closer to home, we examine insecurity andkidnappings, including the attack at Orire in Oyo State, and how growing fear is affecting farming, investment, and rural development. We also explore education issues such as the WAEC fee increase, out-of-school children, NELFUND, youth development, SME support, and the national debate surroundingthe First Lady's remarks on akara businesses.

This episode is a reminder that food systems are interconnected with every aspect of society. Understanding these linkages is essential to building resilient agriculture, stronger economies, and sustainable development.

Join the conversation as we connect global events to local realities and uncover how today's headlines shape tomorrow'sfood systems.

#FoodSystems #FoodSecurity #Agriculture #Nigeria #FIFAWorldCup #WorldCup2026 #ClimateChange #Geopolitics #DangoteRefinery #EnergySecurity #FoodInflation #AfCFTA #Nigeria #AfricanDevelopment #Policy #Agribusiness #Development #TheLasgidiFarmerPodcast