By Gabriel Ameh
Abuja, February 18, 2026 – The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Economic and Environmental Resource Centre (EERC) to promote research-policy alignment, knowledge sharing, and evidence-based decision-making in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The partnership is aimed at fostering collaboration in research priority alignment, joint proposal development, policy dialogue, and participation in fellowship and scholars’ programmes.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of ARCN, Adamu Abubakar Dabban, described the agreement as a strategic step toward strengthening research outcomes and enhancing their relevance to national development priorities.
He noted that the areas of cooperation outlined in the MoU provide a solid framework for impactful engagement.
“The components of this partnership including joint proposal development, policy dialogue, research priority alignment, knowledge sharing and publication, as well as participation in EERC’s scholars and fellowship programme will strengthen evidence-based policymaking, promote intellectual exchange, and ensure that research outputs are responsive to national development priorities,” he said.
Dr. Dabban further emphasized that ARCN’s mandate includes the management, supervision, and regulation of agricultural research, training, and extension activities across 16 National Agricultural Research Institutes and 18 Federal Colleges of Agriculture in Nigeria.
He described the agreement as more than a formal signing, noting that it represents a strategic alignment between research, policy, and economic sustainability at a time when agriculture must respond to environmental pressures and economic realities.
According to him, the Council remains committed to ensuring that research institutions operate within clearly defined priorities that address food security, sustainability, and economic competitiveness.
“In line with the provisions of this MoU, the Council will nominate a dedicated team to work closely with EERC on implementation and governance arrangements to ensure effective coordination, accountability, and measurable outcomes,” he added.
On her part, the Executive Director of EERC, Adeyanju Oluwatoyin, expressed optimism about the collaboration, describing it as a strategic opportunity to strengthen research-based policy development and national evaluation frameworks.
“We see this partnership as a strategic opportunity for both institutions to come together in developing research-based policies that will support national evaluation and sustainable development. We are confident that this collaboration will make a significant difference,” she said.
The signing ceremony was attended by members of ARCN’s top management and senior programme advisers from EERC.
The MoU is expected to enhance knowledge generation, improve policy dialogue, and contribute to Nigeria’s agricultural and environmental resilience.
