Nigeria is facing a growing food crisis, with over 33.1 million people projected to experience food insecurity in 2025. Experts say the country must shift away from traditional farming methods and embrace data and technology to feed its population.
Olaoye Anthony Somide, CEO of CipherSense AI, a Lagos-based data and artificial intelligence company, believes that modern technology could play a key role. “Farming in Nigeria is becoming increasingly unpredictable. We need intelligence, not guesswork,” he said.
Once known for its farming strength, Nigeria’s agricultural sector is now under strain. A mix of climate shocks, a fast-growing population, declining yields, and poor infrastructure has pushed millions towards hunger. “Smallholder farmers, who produce more than 80% of our food, are struggling without access to finance, data, or modern tools,” said Somide. “As a result, food prices are rising, yields are falling, and Nigeria is relying more heavily on costly imports.”
The World Food Programme warns that one in six Nigerians may face acute food insecurity next year, making Nigeria one of the countries at highest risk in West Africa.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data tools are already being used in other parts of the world to improve how farmers grow food. These tools give farmers real-time updates about soil health, weather changes, crop conditions, and pests. This allows them to act faster and more effectively. “In Nigeria, where farmers operate on slim margins and face harsh climate realities, AI is no longer a luxury but a necessity,” said Somide.
CipherSense AI is working to transform Nigerian agriculture with its new platform, CropSense. This tool uses AI, satellite images, and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to provide live updates from farms. CropSense gives farmers detailed reports on soil fertility, advises on irrigation and fertiliser use, tracks plant health from space, predicts harvest results, and offers personalised guidance using a generative AI chatbot.
Farmers using CropSense in early trials across Nigeria reported yield increases between 60% and 70%, at a time when farm outputs across the country have been shrinking. The platform’s AI models are built using data from African soil and weather conditions, which makes them more suited to local realities. “What makes CropSense distinct is its localised intelligence,” Somide said. “This makes the technology not just advanced but also relevant and reliable for Nigerian farmers.”
Somide believes Nigeria can only achieve food security if it adopts a modern, data-driven approach. “To solve food insecurity at scale, we need systems rooted in African realities and powered by world-class innovation,” he said. “With data, we can make every hectare count.”
CipherSense AI is urging the government, private sector, and development agencies to work together to expand the reach of CropSense. “This is not just about building a product,” Somide said. “It’s about building a future where no Nigerian goes to bed hungry.”
