• Agriculture contributes 22.7% to Nigeria’s GDP and employs 34% of its workforce.

• Nigeria plans to launch a satellite-based “Innovative Agriculture” project by January 2026.

• The project will establish seven demonstration farms equipped with digital and precision farming tools.

The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) will launch a major satellite-based initiative by January 2026, in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA). Hugh Briggs, head of agricultural programs for the European Union in Nigeria and West Africa, announced the plan on July 7 during an interview with the Nigerian News Agency (NAN).

Called “Innovative Agriculture,” the EU-funded project aims to use satellite data to provide farmers with accurate information on soil quality, suitable crops, and optimal planting schedules. The goal is to raise productivity through space imagery and digital tools.

This initiative reflects Nigeria’s ambition to harness technological advances to improve agricultural performance. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) highlights satellite imagery and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) data as strategic tools for monitoring crops, managing water, controlling pests, and anticipating climate risks—benefiting farmers and policymakers alike.

Nigeria Has Space Experience

Nigeria already has strong expertise in satellite data use. Since launching NigeriaSat-1 in 2003, the country has collected valuable satellite data to monitor crops and manage natural resources.

NASRDA also developed nanosatellites focused on agriculture—EduSat-1 in 2017 and EduSat-2 in 2021—and launched the CropWatch satellite agricultural monitoring system in July 2024. These projects show Nigeria’s ongoing commitment to integrating space observation into farming.

The “Innovative Agriculture” project stands out for its scale and integration. Briggs said it will create seven demonstration farms across Nigeria’s diverse agroecological zones. These farms will feature digital mapping, soil analysis, and precision farming technologies. They will serve as training centers and data hubs.

“NASRDA will also identify and recruit young people within communities, train them in innovative agriculture,” Briggs said. ”They will be taught soil testing, how to get the radius, longitude, latitude, and all the technology in terms of mapping their farms, including polygon mapping. Most importantly, they will be taught how to use that technology to understand what to plant, when to plant, how to plant, what is suitable for the soil, and what is not suitable for the soil”.

With rising population, climate change, and the need to increase productivity, Nigeria’s satellite project confirms its commitment to smart agriculture. By combining satellite imagery, geospatial data, and youth training, Nigeria aims to build a precise, resilient agricultural system ready for current and future challenges.

This article was initially published in French by Stéphanas Assocle

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum