GODAN has strengthened links with Nigeria during 2020, aware that the country plays a key role in improving access to and use of open data in agriculture. Along with Sonigitu Ekpe, the Scientific Director at the Ministry of International Development Cooperation who hails from Cross River State, GODAN has been able to support activities that encourage greater use of data in the delivery of better food supply chains.  This strategic relationship has been fostered by Sonigitu’s extensive knowledge of government operations, and his respected reputation has helped establish pivotal new connections as GODAN increases its plans to further develop capacity in Nigeria. With Sonigitu Ekpe’s direction and guidance, GODAN has been introduced to key decision-makers at Federal level and within several national institutions - all interested in improving the agricultural sector in one of Africa’s largest countries.

This year GODAN has also built a partnership with Unique Mappers, a leading organization that champions the OpenStreetMap Nigeria Community, supports Mobile Data Collection, and works on the Open Geospatial Empowerment and Citizens Science projects. All these activities are geared towards helping Nigeria meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

^{Victor Sunday (far left) and the OpenStreetMap Team}

Victor N. Sunday heads up Unique Mappers and is also teaching Geoinformatics at the University of Port Harcourt at the Geography & Environment Management Department. He Chairs the Geoinformation Society of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter. With his passion for youth and gender empowerment he is helping GODAN establish a cadre of GODAN Open Data Champions in Nigeria and across West Africa. He serves as a GODAN Champion, currently leading the GODAN-Nigeria Capacity Development initiative.

Victor says: “We sincerely appreciate GODAN, all our partners, volunteers and Unique Mappers GODAN Ambassadors. With the official sign-off agreement as GODAN’s corporate representative in Nigeria, Unique Mappers Networks is poised to drive and network with all our partners and stakeholders to build and strengthen capacity for open data development for sustainable agriculture and an inclusive community agenda for zero hunger in Nigeria and beyond.”