In the heart of Nigeria’s Olokemeji Forest Reserve, where verdant greenery now rises to reclaim degraded land, lies a story as transformative as the trees themselves. Samuel Peters Taiwo, a former casual worker at the IITA Forest Center, is…
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Western Africa
Western Africa
IITA Forest Center inspires future sustainability leaders through experiential learning
For students studying sustainability, few learning experiences are as impactful as witnessing environmental conservation in practice. This became a reality for Master’s students from the Department of Sustainability Studies, Centre for Sustainable Development (CESDEV), University of Ibadan, who on…
The Program for Seed System Innovations for Vegetatively Propagated Crops in Africa (PROSSIVA) has trained Nigeria’s first cohort of banana and plantain seed entrepreneurs, marking an important milestone in efforts to strengthen the country’s emerging formal seed system. The…
Western Africa
Unlocking opportunity crops to combat food insecurity: VACS professional fellows equipped with modern breeding tools to accelerate genetic gain
IITA, in collaboration with CIMMYT and other CGIAR centers, brought together breeders from across Africa for a five-day intensive training on breeding pipeline optimization and market intelligence, to accelerate genetic gain in the continent’s neglected yet highly nutritious “opportunity crops.” From Bambara groundnut cultivated in the savannahs of Ghana to Okra harvested in the humid forests…
Central Africa Eastern Africa Southern Africa Western Africa
Inspired by Nature’s Signals: How Soil Health is Shaping West Africa’s Climate Future
World Environment Day 2026 calls global attention to a simple but urgent reality: the planet is sending signals—and climate action is about how we respond. With the theme, “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future,” this year’s observance…
Western Africa
Reading the sky to feed the land: How IITA is turning weather data into decision support systems for smallholder farmers
On World Meteorological Day, marked on 23 March, the world is asked to reflect on the importance of weather observation. This year’s theme, ‘Observing today, protecting tomorrow,’ could be read as an abstract aspiration. However, at the International Institute…
On 9 March, IITA–CGIAR hosted a special hybrid event at the institute’s headquarters to celebrate the strength, resilience, and contributions of women. The gathering brought together leaders, professionals, and partners to reflect on the importance of empowering women, promoting…
Science Blog Western Africa
Cowpea: A powerhouse pulse for nutrition, resilience, and sustainable food systems
As the world celebrates World Pulses Day, it’s time to shine a spotlight on one of the most resilient, nutritious, and climate-smart crops on the planet—cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). Often called “poor man’s meat,” cowpea has long been a…