By Michael Okpotu Onoja, Lead Developer
GitHub Repository: AgriLoan – View on GitHub
In Nigeria’s ever-evolving agricultural sector, the need for innovation has never been more critical. As part of a strategic effort to improve agricultural loan monitoring and recovery under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP), I led the development of AgriLoan, a robust digital solution that has already transformed how financial institutions track farm productivity and enforce loan agreements.
What Is AgriLoan?
AgriLoan is a cloud-based Monitoring and Progress Evaluation Module built to streamline loan tracking and performance assessment for agricultural lending schemes. Designed specifically for the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers’ Programme and implemented by Heritage Bank Plc, the module enables real-time farm monitoring, produce tracking, and intelligent sales mapping – ensuring farmers’ repayment obligations are met seamlessly.
My Role as Lead Developer
As the Lead Developer on this project, I engineered the backend infrastructure and frontend interfaces, leveraging modern frameworks to ensure scalability, security, and ease of use. Collaborating with field teams and banking officials, I translated the program’s operational goals into an agile tech product that now serves as a benchmark within the banking sector.
My name, Michael Okpotu Onoja, was formally recognized in Heritage Bank’s internal commendation, for our team’s innovation and impact in retrieving over 90% of loaned funds this season – a massive leap from previous recovery rates of 40–45%.
See recognition memo: View
Explore the code: AgriLoan GitHub Repository
Featured in the News
The success of the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme and related technologies like AgriLoan has been highlighted by leading media outlets:
- BusinessDay reports the CBN disbursed over ₦927.94 billion to 4.5 million farmers nationwide under ABP Read the article .
- Vanguard News calls ABP “the best agricultural policy so far,” citing its extensive value-chain benefits and productivity gains. Read full article .
These articles affirm the pivotal role tech platforms like AgriLoan play in bridging traditional agriculture with modern finance.
Key Features of AgriLoan
- Real-time farm monitoring – Field data sync to track crop growth and harvest.
- Loan lifecycle automation – Track disbursement, repayment timelines, and default risks.
- Market linkage integration – Connects farmers to processors, enabling instant post-harvest sales.
- Impact dashboard – View analytics, reports, and zone-wise loan performance in one place.
Measurable Impact
According to Heritage Bank’s internal report:
“This season’s loan retrieval stands at 90%, courtesy of your team’s module, as against 40–45% recovered in the last two seasons.”
— Heritage Bank Management
This represents a significant shift in the efficiency and accountability of agricultural finance in Nigeria.
Why It Matters
The AgriLoan module isn’t just a tech solution, it’s a case study in using digital innovation to solve real socio-economic problems. It aligns with the CBN’s vision of deepening credit access and empowering Nigeria’s 50% agriculturally employed population.
As Nigeria continues to prioritize food security, initiatives like AgriLoan will be central to transforming the agricultural finance landscape—one digital tool at a time.
Explore the Project:
GitHub Repository – AgriLoan
Read BusinessDay Coverage
Read Vanguard Coverage
For media or collaboration inquiries, contact me via MichaelOnoja.com.