By Nkechi Eze
The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Dr. Abubakar Adamu Dabban, has tasked Federal Colleges of Agriculture (FCAs) and research institutes to intensify efforts in research, training, and innovation as part of a broader push to strengthen Nigeria’s food security and agricultural transformation.
Speaking during his familiarization visit to the Federal College of Agriculture, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Dr. Dabban emphasized the critical role of the Colleges under the National Agricultural Research System (NARS) in driving the Renewed Hope Agenda and responding to the Federal Government’s declared state of emergency on food security.
According to a statement signed by the Head of Public Relations, ARCN, Khadijat Oluwatoyin Ameen, the visit offered Dr. Dabban an opportunity to assess the achievements of the Colleges, engage with their challenges, and reinforce collaboration with stakeholders in agricultural education and research.
He commended the leadership and staff of the institutions for their resilience and commitment despite prevailing sectoral constraints, assuring them of ARCN’s continuous support to ensure stronger national impact. “Nigeria’s agricultural transformation rests on the vibrancy of institutions under NARS. We must scale up manpower training, vocational skills acquisition, and the dissemination of research technologies that will boost productivity, fast-track innovation, and grow the agricultural GDP while positioning the country to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030,” Dabban said.
The Executive Secretary also disclosed that ARCN is currently implementing reforms to modernize and strengthen agricultural institutions. These reforms include the review of the Conditions and Schemes of Service for both National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs) and FCAs in collaboration with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation. He revealed that the Council is enhancing monitoring and evaluation systems, updating management guidelines, and engaging the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to extend its interventions to the agricultural sub-sector.
“These steps are necessary to improve staff welfare, enhance institutional performance, and modernize infrastructure across the Colleges,” Dabban said, while directing the institutions to ensure timely submission of annual budgets, quarterly and annual reports, updated nominal rolls, and records of research technologies developed. He stressed the need for laboratories, workshops, and infrastructure that meet global standards, urging the Colleges to cooperate fully with ARCN officials on assignment.
Welcoming the ARCN delegation, the Provost of the Federal College of Agriculture, Moor Plantation, Prof. Jonathan J. Atungwu, described the visit as a milestone in the history of the College, founded in 1921 as one of West Africa’s premier agricultural institutions. He expressed optimism that the visit would open avenues for stronger collaboration in research, academic training, and community outreach. Prof. Atungwu also commended ARCN for championing access to TETFund, which he said has significantly strengthened institutional capacity.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan, Prof. Gabriel Oluwatosin, highlighted the Institute’s mandate in soil science, grains, legumes, and value addition. He noted that IAR&T currently houses three Colleges and enjoys strong inter-institutional cooperation that supports agricultural transformation nationwide.
In his remarks, the Acting Provost of the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Ibadan, Dr. Chidi Okpeze, praised the Executive Secretary for his visit and expressed confidence that it would create new opportunities for institutional growth and partnerships.
The visit featured an interactive session with staff and students as well as a guided tour of the College’s facilities. It was attended by provosts of affiliated Colleges, directors of research institutes under ARCN, and other stakeholders in agricultural education and research.
