The Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions has revealed plans to modernise Nigeria’s agricultural education and research system as part of efforts to tackle food insecurity and create jobs across the country.
Chairman of the committee, Sharafadeen Alli, disclosed this on Monday during a media parley organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Ibadan ahead of the maiden National Legislative Summit and Expo on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions.
The summit, scheduled to begin on Tuesday at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), is expected to bring together agricultural research institutes, colleges, development partners, embassies and policymakers to discuss food security, research collaboration, youth empowerment and agricultural legislation.
Speaking at the event, Alli said the summit was designed to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural sector through legislation, innovation and strategic partnerships.
According to him, the committee had already initiated diplomatic engagements with countries including Malaysia, Brazil, China, Germany, India and the United Kingdom to facilitate technology transfer, investment and training for Nigeria’s agricultural institutions.
“The era of treating agricultural education as purely academic is over. Our goal is to ensure that between 60 and 70 per cent of training focuses on practical areas such as crop production, livestock and agribusiness,” he said.
The senator stressed the importance of research in achieving food security, lamenting the disconnect between local farmers and agricultural research institutes.
“All that we do without research is guesswork,” Alli stated, noting that many farmers remained unaware of improved seedlings, modern farming methods and innovations developed by Nigerian researchers.
He cited improved cocoa varieties capable of fruiting within 18 months compared to the traditional seven-year period, as well as new cassava varieties developed through research.
Alli further disclosed that over 28 agricultural institutions, about 12 embassies and international organisations, including the European Union, GIZ and the British High Commission, were expected at the summit to explore areas of collaboration.
He said the committee was also reviewing laws guiding the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria and its affiliated institutes to improve operational efficiency and align their mandates with the nation’s food security agenda.
The lawmaker expressed concern over Nigeria’s declining agricultural fortunes despite its historical leadership in the sector, recalling that Malaysia obtained oil palm seedlings from Nigeria decades ago but had since surpassed the country in palm oil production.
He blamed poor policy implementation and inadequate support for research institutions for the decline.
Alli also highlighted ongoing partnerships aimed at supporting farmers, women and unemployed youths through mechanised farming assistance, land preparation, harvesting support and market access.
He added that solar-powered dryers had been introduced in some communities to reduce post-harvest losses and improve food preservation.
Earlier, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akeem Abas, described the summit as a timely intervention capable of improving food security and agricultural productivity in Nigeria.
Also speaking, Executive Director of the National Horticultural Research Institute, Muhammed Attanda, said the summit would strengthen legislative frameworks and provide better visibility for agricultural research institutions.
Similarly, Acting Executive Director of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Adedeji Abiodun Rasheed, called for increased private sector participation in agricultural research funding.
The Acting Executive Director of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Oluwatosin Gabriel, also stressed the need for stronger legislative and executive support to revitalise the sector.
The summit is expected to run throughout the week with discussions centred on food production, research commercialisation, youth empowerment and sustainable agricultural development.
