As Africa intensifies efforts to build resilient food systems and accelerate agricultural transformation through science and innovation, the 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week (AASW) has provided a continental platform for governments, research institutions, universities and development partners to showcase home-grown solutions capable of addressing food insecurity, climate change and youth unemployment. Nigeria, through the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), used the occasion to highlight the country’s growing investment in agricultural research, innovation and technology as critical drivers of food security, economic diversification and sustainable development.
It was against this backdrop that the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Professor Olusola Babatunde Kehinde, showcased the institution’s contributions to agricultural innovation during Nigeria Day at the 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week.
Delivering a presentation titled “Success Stories of Agricultural Innovations by Agricultural Colleges and Institutions,” Professor Kehinde said agricultural institutions have evolved beyond their traditional roles as centres of teaching and research to become innovation hubs capable of addressing Nigeria’s food security challenges through technology, enterprise development and strategic partnerships.
He described the event as an important platform bringing together policymakers, researchers, industry leaders and development partners to align scientific research with national development priorities and strengthen agriculture’s contribution to economic resilience.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, although agriculture remains one of Nigeria’s largest contributors to employment and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the sector continues to face persistent challenges, including food insecurity, inflation, low productivity, post-harvest losses, climate variability and limited mechanisation.
He maintained that agricultural colleges and universities are uniquely positioned to tackle these systemic problems through research, innovation and capacity development.
Professor Kehinde explained that FUNAAB has adopted a multi-dimensional model centred on teaching, research, extension services and enterprise development to ensure that scientific discoveries are translated into practical solutions that improve farming, create businesses and generate employment.
He said the university’s innovation ecosystem comprises research institutes, farm practical programmes, industry-linked projects and student enterprise schemes designed to move innovations from the laboratory to commercial application.
Highlighting some of the institution’s achievements, the Vice-Chancellor said FUNAAB has recorded significant successes in climate-smart agriculture through the development of drought-resistant crop varieties, improved irrigation systems and soil conservation techniques.
He noted that the technologies have increased crop yields by between 25 and 40 per cent in pilot communities while improving farmers’ resilience to climate change.
Professor Kehinde also outlined the university’s breakthroughs in agro-processing and value addition, particularly in cassava, maize and horticultural production.
He said the institution has developed innovative products including odourless fufu, cassava bread, garri, honey, finely brewed palm wine and processed cashew products, which are currently marketed through the university’s Integrated Ventures.
According to him, the innovations have reduced post-harvest losses, extended product shelf life and supported the establishment of agro-based small and medium enterprises.
On youth development, the Vice-Chancellor said FUNAAB’s agripreneurship initiatives, including its Farm Practical Year Programme, agribusiness incubation schemes and graduate enterprise programmes, have produced hundreds of youth-led agribusinesses.
He attributed much of the programme’s success to collaborations with organisations such as the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF), which has supported funding, mentorship, startup incubation and market access for young agricultural entrepreneurs.
Professor Kehinde further highlighted advances in biotechnology, including improved crop genetics, pest-resistant crop varieties and soil fertility innovations, describing them as critical to improving food production, reducing dependence on imports and promoting sustainable agriculture.
He added that the university’s extension services have reached thousands of farmers through demonstration farms, farmer field schools and advisory programmes, encouraging the adoption of modern farming techniques and improving rural livelihoods.
The Vice-Chancellor revealed that farmers who adopted FUNAAB’s cassava processing technologies recorded income increases of up to 60 per cent due to improved processing methods and expanded market opportunities.
He also noted that graduate-led agribusiness enterprises established through the university have created employment opportunities, strengthened local agricultural value chains and expanded export prospects.
Professor Kehinde identified digital agriculture as another critical area shaping the future of the sector, citing the growing use of mobile advisory platforms, precision farming technologies and data-driven farm management systems to improve productivity, efficiency and market access.
He credited the university’s achievements to strong partnerships with research institutes, private sector organisations, government agencies and international development partners, saying the collaborations have accelerated technology commercialisation, attracted research funding and strengthened institutional capacity.
Aligning the institution’s efforts with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, he said agricultural institutions remain indispensable to achieving national priorities on food security, youth employment, industrialisation and economic diversification.
Despite the successes, Professor Kehinde identified inadequate funding, weak industry linkages, limited access to finance for young entrepreneurs and inconsistent policy implementation as major obstacles limiting the full potential of agricultural institutions.
He called for increased investment in agricultural research and infrastructure, stronger commercialisation frameworks, improved financing mechanisms for agribusinesses and sustained policy consistency to unlock innovation across the sector.
The Vice-Chancellor concluded that the achievements recorded by agricultural institutions demonstrate that research-driven innovation can transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, stressing that stronger collaboration among government, academia, industry and development partners will be essential to building a technology-driven agricultural sector capable of guaranteeing food security, creating jobs and driving sustainable economic growth.
