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…
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…
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…
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…
For three years, the IITA Gender Science Network (GSN) has remained a driving force in strengthening gender integration across agricultural research and institutional processes. Through its Gender Learnings and Exchanges for New inSights (GLENS) webinar series, the team continues…
For most of her life, Heritage Ajolo kept her dream a secret. When her classmates at Our Lady of Fatima Academy asked what she wanted to become, the SS2 student hesitated before quietly saying she wanted to be a…
Agriculture production in Liberia faced a major challenge, i.e., limited access to high-quality seeds of important African food crops, including soybeans. Most farmers relied on informal seed networks for the next production season. These networks are crucial for…