When Yahya Ja’afaru Ngiki first heard about the OCP Farm&Fortune National Agric Quiz competition, he joined primarily out of curiosity and excitement about the possibility of visiting Lagos. He didn’t expect his journey to spark a deeper dream: building an automated device to protect crops from excessive rainfall.

In this interview, Yahya shares his journey from winning the OCP Farm&Fortune National Agric Quiz competition cash prize to investing in education and developing a rain-sensing umbrella prototype for farms. He discusses his passion for nursing, his unexpected interest in agriculture, and the bold innovation he’s building, an automatic rain-sensing umbrella designed to protect onion crops, with AgroCentric’s Features editor, Olamide Salau.

 What’s your name, and what do you do?

My name is Yahya Ja’afaru Ngiki. I’m a student. I applied for university here at Adamawa State and was grateful to get admitted.

 How did it feel when you won the OCP Farm&Fortune National Agric Quiz competition cash prize?

It was amazing. At first, it felt like a dream. I couldn’t believe it. I used to see things like this only on TV, and suddenly, I was the one winning. I didn’t think I could ever do something like that. It was really a wow moment for me.

 Why did you enter the competition in the first place? What was your motivation?

I initially joined because I thought we were going to Lagos, and I had never been there. Later, when I realised it was about agriculture, I took it seriously. We farm in Adamawa; agriculture is a big deal here. So, I just treated it like any subject and studied hard.

What did you do with the prize money?

I bought a laptop for school and used part of the money to pay my school fees.

 What are you studying currently?

Nursing.

Did you have an interest in agriculture before joining the OCP quiz?

Yes. Even before the competition, I had plans to invest in agriculture after my studies, maybe buy a piece of land, and start something.

But why aren’t you studying a course relating to Agriculture now?

My childhood dream was to become a doctor, but studying medicine here is tough. I got into nursing, but I plan to switch to medicine next academic season.

 Are you currently working on any agriculture-related projects?

We’ve not started lectures yet, but I’m currently building an automatic rain-sensing umbrella. I introduced the idea during the boot camp. I’ve been trying to develop it, but I don’t have all the materials I need here in Adamawa.

 Tell us more about this umbrella. What does it do?

We were taught how much rain can damage onions at the boot camp. So, I thought: What if we had an umbrella that automatically detects rainfall and shields the farm? In Saudi Arabia, umbrellas open when the sun is out. I want mine to react to rain. It would have a rain gauge, and once rainfall reaches a level that can spoil onions, the umbrella would open and cover the field.

 That’s really innovative. What steps have you taken so far?

I’ve been trying to build a prototype. It’s not yet automatic; it only works manually right now.

 What’s the biggest challenge?

Getting the materials. I’ve researched, but many parts I need aren’t available here in Adamawa. Right now, I can control it manually and turn it on and off, but I want it to work on its own. I started building a manual one which is in storage now. I used a regular umbrella, like those used during the rainy season. It’s just a small prototype.

 Have you tested the prototype?

Yes. It works, but it’s not big enough to use on a real farm, and I haven’t shown it to any farmers yet. I’m still trying to find the materials to make it fully automatic.

 What were some key lessons you took from the OCP competition?

Before the competition, we believed people in the South studied harder than we did. But after participating, I realised we in the North can compete academically too. That experience gave me confidence, especially as I entered university. I used to be scared because I saw how my brother struggled, but now I’m motivated.

How has winning changed your view of agriculture?

I didn’t know agriculture was so advanced until we attended the Farm & Fortune boot camp. That’s when I really developed a deep interest. Before then, I didn’t see it as something exciting.

 You mentioned travelling to Lagos. How did that experience impact you?

When I was younger, I dreamed of leaving Adamawa. But after visiting Lagos, I realised it’s crowded, and there’s little land for farming. That trip made me appreciate Adamawa even more. Here, 60–70% of the land is usable for agriculture. I now see it as an advantage.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 to 10 years?

I plan to finish my nursing degree, pursue a master’s and become a professor. After that, I want to study agriculture, specifically plant science.

Well done, Yahya. I wish you success in your future endeavours.

Thank you, AgroCentric.