Nigerian agronomist Mercy Diebiru-Ojo (R) and a worker pull out the weeds of cassava crops in a greenhouse on the campus of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, on September 29, 2025. Mercy Diebiru-Ojo's ambitions are straightforward -- increase Nigerian yam and cassava yields by 500 percent, fight hunger and raise her country's position on the agricultural value chain from a mere grower to a processor. The first steps, at least, are already underway for the 44-year-old agronomist, who was awarded this year's prestigious Africa Food Prize for her research on yams and cassava, both major food staples in Africa. Traditionally, farmers in Nigeria -- which produces 70 percent of the world's yams -- replant chunks of yams and cassava from the previous year's harvest, to grow this year's crop. (Photo by OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT / AFP) (Photo by OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT/AFP via Getty Images)

Nigerian agronomist Mercy Diebiru-Ojo poses for a photograph next to cassava crops in a greenhouse on the campus of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, on September 29, 2025. Mercy Diebiru-Ojo's ambitions are straightforward -- increase Nigerian yam and cassava yields by 500 percent, fight hunger and raise her country's position on the agricultural value chain from a mere grower to a processor. The first steps, at least, are already underway for the 44-year-old agronomist, who was awarded this year's prestigious Africa Food Prize for her research on yams and cassava, both major food staples in Africa. Traditionally, farmers in Nigeria -- which produces 70 percent of the world's yams -- replant chunks of yams and cassava from the previous year's harvest, to grow this year's crop. (Photo by OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT / AFP) (Photo by OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT/AFP via Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 13: (L-R) Michal Lev-Ram and Toni Townes-Whitley Chief Executive Officer of Science Applications International Corporation speak onstage during Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit 2025 at Salamander Hotel on October 13, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Fortune Media)

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 13: Toni Townes-Whitley Chief Executive Officer of Science Applications International Corporation attends Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit 2025 at Salamander Hotel on October 13, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Fortune Media)

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 13: Toni Townes-Whitley Chief Executive Officer of Science Applications International Corporation attends Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit 2025 at Salamander Hotel on October 13, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Fortune Media)

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 13: (L-R) Michal Lev-Ram and Toni Townes-Whitley Chief Executive Officer of Science Applications International Corporation speak onstage during Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit 2025 at Salamander Hotel on October 13, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Fortune Media)

Britain's Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall walks to 10 Downing Street in central London on October 14, 2025, to attend a meeting of the cabinet. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)

The IBM Quantum System Two quantum computer is pictured during the inauguration at the IBM-Euskadi Quantum Computational Center in the Basque Foundation for Science Ikerbasque headquarters in the Spanish Basque city of San Sebastian on October 14, 2025. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA / AFP) (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA/AFP via Getty Images)