By Gabriel Ameh
Dabban Charges Federal Colleges on Professionalism, Innovation, and Alignment with National Food Security Agenda
The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Dr. Abubakar Adamu Dabban, has reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to tackling challenges facing Nigeria’s agricultural research institutes and federal colleges of agriculture.
This was contained in a statement Signed Khadijat O. Ameen Head, Public Relations, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN)
According to the statement, Dr. Dabban disclosed this during a working visit to the Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, Baga, Maiduguri, and the Lake Chad Research Institute, Maiduguri.
He charged the Federal Colleges of Agriculture (FCAs) to intensify efforts in training, research, and extension services in line with the Federal Government’s food security and Renewed Hope Agenda.
Commending the management and staff of the institutions for their resilience despite sectoral constraints, Dabban noted that agricultural institutions play a vital role in driving innovation, enhancing productivity, and supporting Nigeria’s pursuit of food sufficiency.
“We must strengthen research, training, and extension systems to fast-track innovation, boost productivity, and help Nigeria achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030,”
Dr. Abubakar Adamu Dabban, Executive Secretary, ARCN.
The Executive Secretary disclosed that ARCN is engaging with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to ensure the agricultural research subsector benefits from its interventions. He further revealed that the Council, in collaboration with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, has commenced a review of the Conditions and Schemes of Service for the National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs) and Federal Colleges of Agriculture (FCAs) to improve staff welfare and institutional performance.
According to him, the ongoing reforms at ARCN also include:
- Strengthening the Monitoring and Evaluation framework;
- Updating management guidelines for NARIs and FCAs;
- Advocating for improved laboratories, workshops, and infrastructure across institutions.
Dr. Dabban directed the FCAs to ensure:
- Timely submission of annual budgets, quarterly, and annual reports;
- Proper communication with the Council;
- Annual updates of staff nominal rolls;
- Early submission of promotion lists and required documentation;
- Forwarding of newly developed research technologies to ARCN for national dissemination.
He further urged the institutions to accord due respect to ARCN officials during oversight visits and to deepen collaboration and innovation for national development.
“Our collective responsibility is to ensure that agriculture drives growth, creates jobs, and guarantees food security for our nation,” Dabban emphasized.
In their separate remarks, the Provost of the Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, Baga, Prof. Modu Bako, and the Executive Director of the Lake Chad Research Institute, Prof. Babagana Jubrin, commended Dr. Dabban and the ARCN leadership for their visit and continued support.
They highlighted their institutions’ achievements and appealed for renewed TETFund and ETF interventions to strengthen infrastructure and academic programs in agricultural research and education.
