Federal Gov’t Unveils Digital Extension Platform To Reach 5m Farmers Yearly

The federal government has introduced the National Electronic Extension Platform (NEEP), a cutting-edge digital agricultural extension service that aims to improve productivity and provide real-time agricultural solutions to farmers.

The platform, which is expected to reach at least 5 million farmers in its first year, was introduced yesterday at the National Agricultural Research-Extension Summit 2025, which was themed “Sustainable Agricultural Extension Service Delivery in Nigeria: the Role of Digital Technology.”

At yesterday’s soft launch, Sabi Abdullahi, minister of state for agriculture and food security, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to leveraging digital solutions to enhance food security.

The minister noted that the digital platform has marked a milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural service delivery.

Abdullahi stated that the platform will effectively integrate the National Agricultural Research and Extension System (NARES) and other key institutions to improve extension reach and reduce security risks associated with in-person visits.

The ministry’s permanent secretary, Engr Ogunbiyi Marcus, also highlighted the importance of digital technology in transforming the sector.

He stressed that past agricultural extension efforts were often hindered by inadequate funding and weak research-extension linkages, stressing that the introduction of NEEP will see a major transformation.

According to the director of the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension Service, Dr Deola Tayo Lordbanjou, who led the development of NEEP, the existing extension system is overstretched with a current extension agent-to-farmer ratio of 1:6,400, making traditional service delivery unsustainable.

Lordbanjou noted that the platform is designed to serve as a centralised digital hub, integrating agricultural research institutions, universities, financial agencies and extension agents.

“Thirty years ago, the ratio was 1 to 600 farmers. Today, one agent is expected to serve over 25,000 farmers if we consider their families. This analogue approach is no longer viable; with NEEP, we are shifting from outdated methods to a fully digitalised extension service that will bridge this gap efficiently.

Lordbanjou explained that the NEEP platform will be accessible in English, Pidgin, Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo, ensuring that even farmers with limited formal education can benefit. Farmers will be able to ask questions and receive real-time answers, while extension agents will have a database of agricultural knowledge at their fingertips.

He added, “This initiative is a milestone in our journey toward digital extension service delivery, a key directive from the honourable minister.

We have moved from a traditional model to a cyber-driven platform that integrates all stakeholders, research institutes, universities, financial institutions, and extension services to ensure agricultural growth, food security, and economic development.”