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Published on
07.10.25
On the sidelines of the Nigerian Plant Breeders Association (NPBA) Conference held in Abuja recently, IITA-CGIAR hosted a press conference to celebrate the recent recognition of Dr Mercy Diebiru-Ojo, who won the 2025 Africa Food Prize (AFP) for her work on Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH).
The press conference brought together journalists, researchers, and agricultural stakeholders to highlight the significance of the award and its impact on African food systems. SAH, which Dr Diebiru-Ojo has championed, offers farmers quicker and more reliable access to clean, high-quality planting materials for cassava and yam, two crops that feed millions of households across the continent.
Speaking at the event, Dr Diebiru-Ojo expressed gratitude for the recognition and emphasized its collective nature: “This award is not just for me but for the incredible IITA teams and partners who are committed to ensuring that African farmers have better access to improved planting materials. It strengthens our resolve to keep driving impact where it matters most.”