Origin Tech to build modern, digitally empowered farmers

Origin Automobile Works (OAW) has outlined its vision to help build a new generation of modern, digitally empowered Nigerian farmers, placing science, technology, innovation and digital transformation at the centre of agricultural and rural development.

The Executive Chairman, Origin Tech Group, Prince Samuel Joseph Samuel, said the adoption of technology-driven solutions must be treated as a breakthrough strategy for removing long-standing bottlenecks in agriculture, increasing value addition and improving the quality and competitiveness of agricultural products.

He said the future of Nigerian agriculture lies with a new breed of farmers defined by knowledge, creativity, digital capability, resilience and a pioneering spirit.

According to him, these farmers will be critical to building a prosperous agricultural sector, strengthening Nigeria’s food systems and positioning locally produced agricultural goods more competitively on the global market, while also contributing to a more modern and sustainable rural economy.

Prince Samuel stressed that agriculture, farmers and rural communities must remain central to national development planning at every stage, adding that mechanisation, innovation and digital tools would play a decisive role in unlocking productivity and long-term growth across the sector.

The OAW Board of Directors reaffirmed this position during its recent three-day strategic retreat held at Lakowe Lakes Golf and Country Estate Resort, Lagos. The retreat, themed “Building Institutional Strength to Accelerate Growth,” brought together board members and executive leadership to review the organisation’s performance, strengthen governance structures and set strategic priorities for the years ahead.

Discussions during the session went beyond routine board matters, focusing on long-term sustainability, risk management and improved operational efficiency. The board reviewed achievements recorded under the OAW five-year Strategic Plan covering 2020 to 2025 and laid the foundation for a new strategic framework to guide the organisation from 2026 to 2030.

Recognising the need for a more dynamic approach to consolidating its contributions to agricultural mechanisation and Nigeria’s food systems, the board also considered measures to refine OAW’s mission and values in line with sustainable development goals. The outcome of the retreat was a clear and actionable roadmap aimed at scaling the impact already achieved across the agricultural and food systems value chain, while ensuring long-term institutional sustainability.

Describing the retreat as a turning point for the organisation, Prince Samuel said the board’s alignment with the evolving needs of the sector had reinforced OAW’s commitment to improving productivity in agro-mechanisation and food systems, alongside the introduction of new technologies. He said the organisation was leaving the retreat with renewed energy and a concrete plan to drive growth for both OAW and its customers.

Also speaking, the Executive Director, Corporate Services, Mr Olusesan Ayeni, said key outcomes from the retreat included the approval of a strategic plan focused on accelerating growth in Nigeria’s agricultural and food systems space, deeper collaboration between the board and executive management, and the launch of new capital investment and funding initiatives.

He noted that the level of engagement and dedication shown by board members reflected a strong resolve to position OAW to address emerging challenges and seize new opportunities within the sector.