A groundbreaking partnership led by Nigeria’s Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has won the prestigious African Agriculture Award at the 2025 Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Awards.
The project, a collaboration with the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) and Taro Agric Consulting, was honoured for successfully introducing data-driven technology to revolutionise poultry farming in Nigeria. It applied Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, analytical dashboards, and smart databases to optimise broiler chicken production, boosting efficiency and sustainability.
The award recognises exceptional impact through university-business innovation. The project has delivered a “step change in performance and profitability,” with Taro Agric Farm expecting a 30–40% increase in sales. It has also trained over 100 local farmers and integrated new digital skills into OAU’s curriculum.
This victory showcases Nigerian academic excellence and positions the country at the forefront of developing scalable, innovative agricultural solutions to enhance food security and economic growth across Africa.
