In this landmark inaugural episode of The Lasgidi Farmer Podcast, we are privileged to host Professor Stella Olusola Odebode, Professor of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development and current Head of Department at the University of Ibadan.

With more than four decades of experience in teaching, research, and policy, Professor Odebode is a foremost authority on gender analysis in agriculture, women’s empowerment, rural livelihoods, and the integration of digital technologies in extension services.

Her work has influenced generations of extension workers and shaped gender-responsive policies at the University of Ibadan and beyond.

In this rich and insightful conversation, Professor Odebode reflects on her journey in the field and shares expert perspectives on some of the most pressing issues in Nigerian agriculture today.

We explore:

• What digital extension truly means in the Nigerian context and how mobile technologies, data analytics, and digital tools are transforming the delivery of agricultural advisory services.
• The persistent challenges of connectivity, digital literacy, and access faced by smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth in rural communities.
• The critical and often under-recognized role of women in Nigerian agriculture, including the major gender gaps that still exist in land access, credit, technology, and extension support.
• Practical success stories from her extensive research on women cooperatives, sweet potato processing for income generation, home gardening, and other livelihood improvement initiatives.
• How traditional extension methods can effectively combine with modern digital approaches to create more inclusive systems.
• Her vision for the future of agricultural extension in Nigeria by 2035, and what universities and policymakers must do to prepare the next generation of extension professionals.
• Valuable advice for students and young graduates aspiring to build careers in digital extension or gender-focused agricultural development.

This episode goes beyond theory to offer real-world insights and actionable recommendations for making agricultural technology work for everyone, especially rural women who form the backbone of food production in Nigeria.

Whether you are an extension worker, researcher, student, policymaker, or a farmer seeking better support systems, this conversation provides deep understanding and inspiration for building a stronger, more inclusive Nigerian agricultural sector.

Guest:
Professor Stella Olusola Odebode
Professor of Agricultural Extension & Rural Development
Head of Department, Agricultural Extension and Rural Development
University of Ibadan

This marks the official launch of our recurring podcast series, which will feature leading academics, researchers, and practitioners from the University of Ibadan and beyond.

Follow The Lasgidi Farmer Podcast for more thought-provoking discussions on agricultural extension, innovation, gender, and rural development in Nigeria.

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