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By Daniel Adaji
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to embedding smart, technology-driven agriculture in Nigerian universities as a strategy to strengthen food security, reduce poverty and grow the economy nationwide.
This assurance was given on Thursday by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Aliyu Abdullahi, during a courtesy visit by a delegation of the Federal University of Education, Kontagora (FUEK), Niger State, led by its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Faruk Haruna, to the National Agricultural Growth Scheme–Agro Pocket (NAGS–AP) office in Abuja.
Speaking at the meeting, Abdullahi said the Ministry would support agricultural and infrastructure development not only at FUEK but across tertiary institutions in the country, stressing that universities are critical to building a modern, resilient agricultural sector.
He explained that government support would prioritise practical, hands-on training and entrepreneurship to prepare students for profitable careers in agriculture and agribusiness.
According to him, collaboration with universities would “focus on practical, hands-on experience, and entrepreneurship profitable for students as well as foster a new generation of Agripreneurs.”
The minister urged tertiary institutions to move beyond traditional farming methods and embrace innovation-driven agriculture.
He advised that institutions should focus on “smart agriculture business, uses digital technology, data analytics to boost efficiency, profitability, and sustainability, moving beyond traditional farming to optimize inputs and improve yields through precision management, creating a data-driven, connected food system from farm to production.”
Abdullahi also reflected on the decline in agricultural education over the years and the need to re-engage young people in farming.
He noted that “Agriculture teachers used to be the best then but gradually dying off which led to the formation of Young Farmers Club (YFC), a youth organization focused on engaging young people in agriculture through practical skills, modern techniques, and leadership, aimed at making farming appealing, promote food security, and foster self-reliance, with major initiatives recently launched in Nigeria by the First Lady to boost youth involvement in farming as a viable career.”
In his remarks, Haruna acknowledged the minister’s longstanding support for the institution, revealing that Abdullahi sponsored the bill establishing the Federal University of Education, Kontagora, while serving as Senator for Niger North. He said the bill was assented to by former President Muhammadu Buhari on December 31, 2021.
The Vice-Chancellor used the opportunity to seek further federal backing for the university’s agricultural development plans. He requested the establishment of agro-processing and value addition centres for training and research, as well as support for modern farm machinery, renewable energy solutions, cold rooms, greenhouses and irrigation facilities.