Nigeria’s push to tackle food insecurity and rising unemployment is gaining fresh momentum as the Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions unveils an ambitious plan to modernise the country’s agricultural education and research system.
Speaking at a media parley in Ibadan, the committee chairman, Sharafadeen Alli, said the initiative is designed to reposition agricultural institutions as engines of innovation, productivity, and job creation rather than purely academic centres.
According to him, the committee has already begun high-level engagements with countries including Malaysia, Brazil, China, Germany, India, the United Kingdom, and the European Union to drive technology transfer, investment, and training that will transform the sector.
He stressed that the future of agricultural education in Nigeria must be practical and results-oriented, revealing plans to ensure that between 60 and 70 per cent of training focuses on hands-on areas such as crop production, livestock, and agribusiness.
“The era of treating agricultural education as purely theoretical is over,” Alli said, noting that the goal is to produce graduates who can directly impact food production and agribusiness development.
The planned reforms come ahead of the maiden national legislative summit and expo on agricultural colleges and institutions, an event expected to bring together key stakeholders to explore collaboration and innovation as tools for strengthening food security and employment opportunities.
As part of broader reforms, the committee is also reviewing laws guiding the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria to improve the performance of over 16 affiliated research institutes and align them with national priorities.
Alli further disclosed that the Senate is backing the establishment of new specialised institutions, including a proposed Federal College of Agriculture in Shani, Borno State, to expand access to agricultural education in underserved regions.
Despite existing challenges, the committee has continued consultations with heads of more than 35 research institutes to ensure they contribute meaningfully to national development, particularly in bridging the gap between research findings and real-world farming practices.
Stakeholders in the sector have welcomed the move, describing it as timely and necessary. The Executive Director of the National Horticultural Research Institute, Muhammed Attanda, noted that Nigeria has strong agricultural innovations that lack visibility and platforms for wider adoption.
Similarly, the Acting Executive Director of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Adedeji Abiodun, called for stronger collaboration between government, citizens, and research institutions, stressing that agricultural development cannot be driven by government alone.
Adding to the conversation, the Acting Executive Director of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Oluwatosin Gabriel, highlighted the need for stronger legislative and executive backing. He pointed out that while Nigeria has highly skilled researchers, the country has yet to fully benefit from their expertise, with foreign nations often reaping greater rewards.
He emphasised that beyond federal policies, state governments must play active roles by providing land and supporting implementation strategies that can translate research into practical agricultural solutions.
With food security becoming an urgent national concern, the Senate’s renewed focus on agricultural education signals a shift toward building a system that not only trains students but also equips them to drive sustainable growth, strengthen local food systems, and create jobs across the country.