Ekiti State Government has partnered with OCP Africa Fertilizers Nigeria Limited to map and evaluate soil fertility distribution across the state as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen agricultural development.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade, announced the collaboration during a training programme for extension officers at the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) office in Ikole-Ekiti.

Boluwade explained that the project received the approval of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, noting that the decision was based on the administration’s commitment to changing the narrative on food production, boosting agricultural output, and addressing food insecurity in Nigeria.

“The state is desirous to change the narrative on food production, boost agricultural production and tackle the problem of food insecurity in the country,” he said.

He disclosed that both parties have agreed to develop sustainable and innovative solutions to tackle food insecurity while creating wealth for the people.

The initiative aims to empower stakeholders with modern agricultural information and technologies, including improved fertilizer formulations and precision agriculture methods. According to Boluwade, the programme will provide soil advisory services to help smallholder farmers improve productivity.

He added that farmers will be given access to training on Good Agricultural Practices and quality fertilizers to boost yields. “The parties intend to address these issues in a holistic manner, ensuring value creation at local level and socio-economic development of farmers,” he stated.

Represented at the event by the Project Manager of the State ADP, Bamidele Adegbola, Boluwade said the training will focus on comprehensive agronomic projects aimed at enhancing farm productivity and guaranteeing sustainability across all agricultural value chains.

The project will also include community-based soil advisory services, fertilizer recommendations, and other farmer-centric initiatives.

In his remarks, the representative of OCP Africa Fertilizers Nigeria Limited, Omotayo, said Ekiti State was selected for the programme due to the administration’s farmer-friendly policies, including the 50% subsidy on fertilizer for smallholder farmers.

“Ekiti became one of the choice destinations for the deployment of our solution due to the farmers-friendly initiatives of the present administration,” he said.

Omotayo explained that as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility, extension agents will be trained on digital soil mapping and Good Agricultural Practices.

The training will cover the use of applications such as Guru Maps and other tools to facilitate digital soil collection, analysis, and mapping in 100 communities across the 16 local government areas of the state.

He emphasised that the intervention would allow for soil-specific fertilizer application and precise dosage determination, leading to better crop yields.

“At the end of the intervention, farmers will experience an increased yield since soil specific fertilizer application and dosage will be precisely determined,” Omotayo noted.

Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State has approved a multi-billion naira contract for the purchase of 250 Massey Ferguson MF-375 tractors to boost large-scale farming in the state. Announcing the development, the governor said the move is aimed at improving agricultural productivity and ensuring food security.

“This initiative will support our farmers and enhance mechanized farming across Sokoto,” the State Government stated.

In addition to the tractors, the government will distribute tiller machines to empower smallholder farmers, enabling them to increase their crop yields and reduce manual labour.

The project aligns with the state’s goal of promoting modern agriculture, creating jobs, and strengthening the local economy through improved access to farming equipment and technology.

On August 11, 2025, Hon. Peter Aniekwe, Member of the House of Representatives for Anambra East/West Federal Constituency, visited the headquarters of the National Automotive Design and Development Council in Abuja.

Speaking during the courtesy visit, Hon. Aniekwe said, “I am here to felicitate with you and also to appeal on behalf of my people. As representatives, we are tasked with making laws, carrying out oversight functions, and attracting resources that can improve the lives of our constituents. I am appealing for your support in training and equipping my people, particularly in the automotive sector.”

He explained that his constituency is predominantly made up of farmers, many of whom own vehicles. He also pointed out that Anambra is an oil-producing state with abundant gas resources, much of which comes from his constituency. The lawmaker urged NADDC to consider setting up infrastructure for vocational and automotive training in the area, stating, “My goal is to ensure that before the end of my tenure, my people will feel the impact of my representation. I am ready to contribute and work with you to make this vision a reality.”

Responding, the Director of Industrial Infrastructure Development, Dr. Nua Omisanya, assured the lawmaker of NADDC’s commitment to boosting the automotive industry across all six geopolitical zones. “We currently have automotive training centres in 21 states and are willing to do more as funding allows,” he said.

The Director-General of NADDC, Mr. Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, expressed his appreciation for the visit and acknowledged Anambra State’s notable contributions to Nigeria’s automotive industry. He recalled that his first official assignment as Director-General was to visit Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing in Anambra, noting that the state is home to major automotive industry players including Chief Innocent Chukwuma of Innoson, KOJO Motors, and the Chicason Group.

Mr. Osanipin also highlighted NADDC’s past collaboration with KOJO Motors for training programmes in the South-East and assured that the Council would fast-track plans to expand training opportunities in Anambra State, especially in Hon. Aniekwe’s constituency. “Whatever we decide to implement will be communicated to you promptly,” he added.

The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to work together on training initiatives and infrastructure development that will empower the people of Anambra State and further strengthen the automotive sector.

The Federal Government is enhancing Nigeria’s automotive sector by establishing more training centers for certified quality assurance assessors under the National Skills Qualification Framework.

The Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, Mr Joseph Osanipin, represented by the Director of Industrial Infrastructure, Dr Nua Omisanya, disclosed this over the weekend at the official closing of a two-week Quality Assurance Assessors Training for National Skills Qualifications.

According to Osanipin, the new centers will equip trainers who will ensure that automotive technicians across the country meet nationally approved skill standards. He said the training facilities would focus on areas such as Compressed Natural Gas conversion, maintenance of Electric Vehicles, and modern diagnostic techniques.

“These are the new innovations in Nigeria’s automotive industry and we need more infrastructure and learning centers to be trained so that vehicles on our roads will be well-managed and well-maintained,” he stated.

He noted that before the training, the industry had only 15 assessors. However, the ongoing programme will add 30 more, raising the total number to 45.

Osanipin emphasized that boosting technical capacity in CNG technology, electric vehicle servicing, and diagnostics would help improve safety, efficiency, and economic growth in Nigeria’s auto industry.