News Overview

From June 3 to 6, 2025, Dr Simeon Ehui, IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, visited the IITA Station in Cotonou, Benin. The visit provided a platform to interact with staff, assess ongoing research innovations, and explore opportunities to further strengthen IITA’s agricultural research efforts and partnerships in the Republic of Benin. DG Ehui, accompanied by Lahcen Ennahli, Special Advisor to

In partnership with the Bioconductor community, IITA–CGIAR hosted an intensive, week-long Bioconductor workshop in Nairobi. The workshop aimed to enhance bioinformatics expertise across Africa, and equipped participants with practical skills in genomic data analysis, with a special focus on RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis. The workshop commenced with a two-day introduction to R and Bioconductor, focusing on data handling, visualization, and reproducible research

As part of continued efforts to foster greater synergy with national partners in Africa, IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, Dr Simeon Ehui, held high-level meetings with key stakeholders in the Republic of Benin to strengthen partnerships and align agricultural innovations with national development priorities. Accompanied by a delegation, Dr Ehui met with the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, Gaston

In an inspiring display of leadership, innovation, and community spirit, 11-year-old Joshua Ayankanmi, a grade five student of the International School of IITA, led a special outreach to Akinyele Local Government, Moniya, on 19 June. The initiative, organized as part of Joshua’s Primary Years Programme (PYP) Project Exhibition, focused on the critical theme of sustainable agriculture. Joshua planted vegetables in his

Enhancing efforts in developing agricultural technologies is key to revolutionizing the agriculture sector. Such innovations can significantly reduce losses caused by plant diseases and empower smallholder farmers to make informed decisions throughout the production process. Prof. Amal El-Ghazaly from Cornell University delivered a powerful seminar and valuable insights to the IITA–CGIAR breeders and scientists on “Sensing underground crops to understand the interdependence

In a compelling show of research-community collaboration, the IITA–CGIAR recently hosted its annual Cassava Farmers-Processors Outreach Program—a flagship event jointly organized by Radio IITA and the Cassava Breeding Program (CBP). The event brought together farmers, processors, researchers, and communication experts with a common goal: to transform cassava productivity through innovation, knowledge sharing, adoption of improved varieties, and value addition. Farmers and processors from Osun,

The IITA–CGIAR led BSF for Bio Circular Economy and Environmental Sustainability BBEST Project, engaged farmers at the maiden Edition of Channel One TV’s AgriFair, held from 20 to 22 June at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park in Accra. During the three-day event, the project exhibited a live display of the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) life cycle, attracting livestock and aquaculture producers, vegetable

In a visit aimed at forging a strategic partnership, a team from Lagos Business School (LBS) met with the IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Africa, Dr Simeon Ehui, alongside members of the Institute’s senior management and scientists at IITA headquarters in Ibadan. The collaboration seeks to integrate LBS’s strengths in executive education, leadership development, and agribusiness strategy with IITA’s robust agricultural research and