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

This important cassava value chain conversation with Oluwole C.E.O of Golden in their operating facility in Ibarapa has long been in the archived to be published, repaired, optimized and salvaged after being damaged to recording difficulties and transmission error.

We are glad to be able to publish it for listeners to gain invaluable insights on operating challenges within cassava processing for raw materials and value chain activities.

Goldenlad is a business-to-business company manufacturing important cassava raw materials for other companies’ function and production of finished products.

Oluwole enlightened about the business, challenges that help to clarify many of the assumptions we hold about cassava processing.

📣 Last 3yrs when India halted the export of its rice 🌾 the ripple was felt in Africa 🌍 and in Nigeria . This year, fertilizer production disruption in the country had similar effects.

India is an agriculture powerhouse supplying important inputs for Africa’s food production and security. The country attained record grain 357.73 million metric tons (MMT) and horticulture output of 362.08 MMT, becoming world’s 2nd largest producer of rice and wheat.

💰India and Africa conduct a yearly trade of over $100 billion and is projected to double by 2030. She is Africa’s 4th largest trading partner. And Nigeria is India’s largest trading partner in Africa.

🛢️Oil and gas, minerals, machineries and automobiles, etc form huge proportion of the trade. But food and agricultural exports also constitutes 10% of the trade.

⚡️African countries are deepening energy and infrastructural investment -from Nigeria, to Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Ghana, etc. India, dependent on global market for 85% of its crude oil needs was rocked with the recent Middle East supply chains disruptions.

⛽️ The country has daily 5.6 million barrels per day and 192 million standard cubic meters per day crude oil and natural gas. It represents an exciting opportunity.

🚜 We looked at this but also more of agricultural trade -increasing africa’s (and Nigeria’s) export beyond 35% and deficit and to include value added products.

🤝 We also on touched on areas, commonalities, and share perspectives, lessons, and knowledge that improve relationship and trade.

🏦 India does $51 billion annual agricultural exports and with $15 billion trade surplus, and powers by technology and digital inclusion.

We perused what Nigeria and other African countries can learn from this, how can they better leverage technology to improve domestic food production and security, and tap into enticing export markets, for instance India’s import bills of vegetable oils, pulses and fruits.

🧑🏾‍🌾 As there’s dramatical shift to sustainable and urban farming, clean energy and transportation techs across Africa but input still imported but local potential, how can domestic capacity improve with India’s developed capacity in biogas and planting materials from agricultural wastes.

🎙️This discourse was held with a rising Chevening Scholar, Himani Chandel experienced with development, communication, and multiple markets. Himani is a strategic communications professional and a former journalist with over 15 years of experience across media, social development sector, and public policy. She holds a Master's in Communication for Innovation and Development from the University of Reading and has worked with leading organisations in India including Plan International, Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation, founded by Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, and Press Trust of India, India's leading news agency.

Chandel with this rich experience, lived-reality, exposure, as well as growing up in a family with deep roots in agriculture, shared reflections to strengthen Nigeria and India relationships.

This discourse was about GMOs, biosecurity, food sovereignty -lessons from Northern America to adapt for Africa food sovereignty, with the continent's food insecurity situation and weak regulation, and how unregulated/dangerous synthetic chemicals (pesticides/herbicides) and food manipulation procedures could have disastrous effects.

The guest Dr. Michelle Perro, is a veteran pediatrician with over 40 years' experience in acute and integrative medicine, focusing on environmental health, pesticides, and GMO advocacy, and children wellness. She has extensively lectured on these both locally and globally. She authored the books "Making our Children Well" and "What's Making Our Children Sick?: How Industrial Food Is Causing an Epidemic of Chronic Illness, and What Parents (and Doctors) Can Do about It". Based in Northern California, she runs Down to Earth Pediatrics and serves as Executive Director of @gmoscience (https://gmoscience.org/), focusing on restoring children’s health through food and reducing toxic exposures. We discussed the current food issues in N/America (the United States in particular), increasing disorders/diseases correlated with GMOs and associated chemicals, and the biosecurity/regulation of the food system. It was discussed vis-a-vis Africa's prevailing realities and Dr. Perro's books/works and about Africa, to advise on actionable ways to strengthen Africa's food system for safer, healthier and rich foods.

The conversation had special focus on children and African children in particular. 👶Fetuses and infants have developing immune system and dependent on their mothers -connected by placenta and breast-feeding.

There’s been reports of pesticides found in breast milk and milk formulas 🧑‍🍼. The chemicals have also been reported to cross blood-brain barrier in developing fetuses.

🦠Gut microbiome play a huge role in the developing immune system of foetuses and infants. However, pesticides, for instance glyphosate, has been shown to have antibiotic effects. Thus, capable of eradicating good microbes in the gut and promoting harmful microbes, leading to microbial imbalance and toxic actions.

🚨Also, when genetically modified microbes (GMMs) are passed on to foetuses and infants from their mothers, horizontal gene transfer can occur between the introduced microbes that may carry resistant genes and and those in the little beings.

‼️This all could pose risk and possibly lead to immune dysregulation and resistance to medications. The presence of these xenobiotics have been correlated to rise in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic diseases, esp in children.

🧑‍🍼Children interact more with the environment, have broader surface area, and with increased temperature and attending perspiration promote increased absorption of sprayed pesticides accelerated by hot climate of the tropics, this make African and Nigerian children at particular risk.

Dr Michelle talked about what found researching GMOs and pesticides in Nigeria -GMOs adopted and commercialized, flooding the market unlabeled without proper verification of safety based on long-term and balanced study of safety, toxic agrochemicals (toxic at low conc) still sold in the market despite being banned, and also the international great lobby and local actors shoving down these food instruments in Nigeria.

The full conversation features many important topics:

✅ Broader definition of GMMs that’s often hidden and the potential risks

✅ Explanation on how modified microbes and pesticides could pose risks to children

✅ Alleged GMO Ginger and Nigeria export woe

✅ New threat -Glyphosate-Aluminium-Fluoride complex

✅ Pesticides & GMOs and Africa's food security

#DrMichellePerro #GMOScience #TheLasgidiFarmerPodcast #AfricaGMOs #GutHealth #Transgene #Microbiome #InfantHealth #SoilHealth #FoodTechnology #GeneticEngineering #GeneticallyModifiedMicrobes #NigerianChildren #AfricanChildren #FoodSovereignty