Dr. Blessing Iveren Ejeh-Agada, a senior lecturer in the Soil Science Department at Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, is a trailblazing soil scientist, educator, and entrepreneur dedicated to combating land degradation, food insecurity, and environmental stress across Nigeria. Her extensive academic background includes serving as a Postdoc Fellow at UFRR Brazil and a USAID NAPP Visiting Scholar at Michigan State University, USA. Dr. Ejeh-Agada has directly applied this expertise in the field, having trained over 9,000 farmers on critical practices such as regenerative agriculture, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), Best Management Practices (BMPs), and sustainable waste management. She also served as the In-country lead for Nigeria’s first-ever digital soil maps for Benue, Kebbi, and Ebonyi states, positioning her as a key figure in agricultural data and resource management.
Dr. Ejeh-Agada’s commitment to innovation is exemplified by her Ambassador’s Cup 2025 project: Black Soldier Fly (BSF) Farming. This initiative offers a practical, sustainable, and nutrient-rich feed solution for livestock, aimed at directly cutting operational costs and significantly improving farm outputs for smallholder farmers. The BSF model is transformative as it not only addresses the high cost of conventional feed but also promotes the circular economy by converting organic waste into valuable protein and frass. As the CEO of NISSEL Integrated Farms, she embodies the successful translation of scientific research into commercial agricultural ventures, demonstrating a robust pathway for integrating academic knowledge with entrepreneurial practice.
Her influence extends to high-level consultancy and technical capacity building within Nigeria’s agricultural sector. Dr. Ejeh-Agada acts as a Consultant for the TOURBA Carbon Farming Project alongside major partners like OCP Africa, BCG, and INNOVX, focusing on climate-smart farming and soil health. Furthermore, she is highly skilled in R programming and plays an active role in mentoring researchers, government ministries, and students nationwide. Her dedication ensures the sustained development of local expertise necessary to implement and scale innovative, data-driven agricultural techniques across the country.
Dr. Ejeh-Agada is a powerful advocate for the environment and an inspiration within the Women in STEM movement. She challenges the common perception of land, declaring that “soil is not just dirt — it’s power, potential, and progress.” As a mother of four daughters, she champions the cause of wise soil use, linking environmental stewardship directly to national progress, food security, and economic opportunity. Her work encapsulates a comprehensive strategy for tackling Nigeria’s largest rural and environmental challenges through a blend of scientific rigour, entrepreneurial action, and effective leadership.
