Remote Work Pioneer Abandoned Nigeria for Education, now Aims to Develop Tech for Local Agriculture
In the heart of London, Tosin Ayodele, a UK-based engineering lead, is making waves in the agricultural sector, particularly in northern Nigeria. Ayodele, who grew up in the region, is building an innovative agrotech device and platform that aims to revolutionise farming for smallholder farmers.
The platform, designed to operate without the need for internet access or smartphones, delivers real-time weather and pest outbreak alerts via SMS in local languages like Hausa. This groundbreaking solution addresses the challenges faced by farmers who often lack internet or smartphone access and may not speak English fluently.
The system uses APIs such as Google Earth Engine to gather weather updates and pest outbreak risks, which are then sent as early warnings through SMS directly to farmers. By notifying farmers about potential pest outbreaks before they escalate, the platform could prevent the loss of 20–40% of crops affected annually in Nigeria.
In addition to providing timely alerts, the platform also connects farmers directly to buyers, thereby eliminating middlemen and potentially improving their profitability. Although the platform is ready, full rollout awaits partnerships with local governments in northern Nigeria.
Ayodele's journey to this point began in 2022 when he moved to the UK on a study visa to pursue Big Data Science and Technology at the University of Bradford. His academic achievements earned him an entrance scholarship. Since then, Ayodele has worked across companies building software, AI, and data solutions for agriculture, health, and financial services.
The cost of building the platform is estimated to be between £3,000 and £10,000, with a £200 buffer for miscellaneous expenses. For students from the Sub-Saharan region, some British schools offer a percentage discount.
In 2024, Ayodele attended a conference in Seattle, US, which was an ACM symposium. He emphasises that building for Africa requires context, humility, and connection, and that what works in one city may not work in another due to factors such as power outages, cost of SMS, and language barriers.
Ayodele's primary role is hybrid, working three days from home and two days in the office in London. Despite the challenges, he remains committed to his mission, planning to travel to Nigeria later this year to finalise partnerships with local governments.
Sources: [1] Ayodele, T. (2023). Building an Agrotech Solution for Smallholder Farmers in Remote Areas. [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://tosinayodele.com/agrotech-solution/ [2] Ayodele, T. (2023). The Agrotech Platform: Empowering Smallholder Farmers in Northern Nigeria. [Presentation]. Retrieved from https://tosinayodele.com/agrotech-platform/
- Technology, finance, and education-and-self-development played significant roles in Tosin Ayodele's journey as he pursued Big Data Science and Technology in the UK, ultimately leading him to develop an innovative agrotech platform for smallholder farmers in northern Nigeria.
- The platform, which combines technology and lifestyle aspects, offersreal-time weather and pest outbreak alerts via SMS in local languages like Hausa, addressing challenges faced by farmers who often lack internet or smartphone access and may not speak English fluently.
- In addition to revolutionizing farming and sports (as the platform aims to enhance profitability for farmers), the agrotech solution also serves as a tool for self-development and education, providing vital information to empower smallholder farmers in rural areas.