Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has emerged as a beneficiary of a European Union Erasmus grant for the establishment of a Master of Science programme in Smart Farming and Internet of Things in Agriculture, under the MESITA project.
The university is part of a consortium comprising four Nigerian universities, three European institutions, and a digital ecosystem organisation selected for the ERASMUS-EDU-2025-CBHE-STRAND-2 grant. The initiative, which commenced in November 2025 in Abuja, is focused on deploying advanced technologies to transform agricultural education and practice in Nigeria.
According to details of the project, the programme will be implemented across participating Nigerian universities and is designed to equip graduates with modern, technology-driven agricultural skills. It is also expected to promote sustainable and climate-friendly farming methods while strengthening collaboration between academia and industry.
A member of the project team stated that “the MESITA programme represents a strategic effort to bridge the gap in precision agriculture education and align Nigeria’s agricultural sector with global technological trends.” The source added that the curriculum integrates embedded systems, artificial intelligence applications, and smart farming techniques.
The initiative will also facilitate knowledge and technology transfer from European partner institutions to Nigeria, with the aim of accelerating digital transformation in the agricultural sector. Stakeholders noted that this approach would not only improve productivity and efficiency but also enhance food security and create employment opportunities.
Another official involved in the project explained that “beyond academic training, the programme is structured to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry relevance within the smart agriculture space.” The official emphasised that the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to addressing challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, and gender inclusion in agribusiness.
Participating institutions include the University of Siegen, Germany; Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Poland; University of Food Technology, Bulgaria; University of Port Harcourt; Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike; Enugu State University of Science and Technology; and AlumUnite Limited, Nigeria.
At Obafemi Awolowo University, the project team is led by Prof. S.O. Ajadi, alongside other academics drawn from relevant fields.
