Daniel Adaji
The Federal Government has pledged to support agriculture and infrastructure development across universities nationwide as part of efforts to strengthen food security, reduce poverty and drive economic growth.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Aliyu Abdullahi, made the commitment on Thursday during a courtesy visit by a delegation from 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.
Abdullahi said the ministry’s intervention in tertiary institutions would focus on practical, hands-on agricultural training and profitable entrepreneurship capable of producing a new generation of agripreneurs.
According to him, collaboration with universities would prioritise smart agriculture practices that deploy digital technology and data analytics to improve efficiency, profitability and sustainability. He said the approach would move agriculture beyond traditional farming by optimising inputs, improving yields through precision management and building a connected, data-driven food system from farm to production.
The minister also expressed concern over the decline in agriculture teachers, noting that the situation prompted the formation of the Young Farmers Club (YFC), a youth-focused initiative aimed at making agriculture attractive to young people through practical skills, modern techniques and leadership development.
He added that major initiatives had recently been launched in Nigeria, including those championed by the First Lady, to boost youth participation in farming as a viable and rewarding career, while promoting food security and self-reliance.
In his remarks, Haruna recalled that Abdullahi sponsored the bill establishing the Federal University of Education, Kontagora, while serving as senator for Niger North, noting that it was assented to by former President Muhammadu Buhari on December 31, 2021.
The vice-chancellor appealed for 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 to strengthen the institution’s agriculture programme.
