When Elizabeth Ehi Ogar stepped onto the stage at TICAD VII in Japan, she was not just a guest speaker but a voice for millions of underserved youth and rural educators across Africa. Representing the future of agricultural education, Ogar brought bold ideas to global leaders and policymakers, including African heads of state, highlighting the urgency of integrating experiential learning in agricultural training.

Born and raised in rural Cross River, Nigeria, Ogar began her journey working with farming communities in capacity development along the agricultural value chain and fighting against malnutrition by formulating infant food using ripe plantain, potato, and other available resources in the environment before rising to international recognition.

She now pursues her master’s in agricultural extension at the University of Ilorin, having been recognized globally for her policy work, leadership in agricultural education, and commitment to sustainable education reform.

In her words, “Agriculture is the only career that can empower the millions of unemployed youth in Africa. Let’s make agriculture attractive to young people, or we will not have food to eat by 2050.”
Her invitation to the prestigious TICAD VII panel, sponsored by the Sasakawa Africa Association and the Japanese government, underscores the weight of her voice in shaping agriculture’s future, not just in Africa, but around the globe.