By Gabriel Ameh
The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Dr. Abubakar Adamu Dabban, has charged Federal Colleges of Agriculture (FCAs) to scale up their efforts in training, research, and extension services in support of the Federal Government’s food security agenda.
Dr. Dabban gave the directive during his visit to the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure (FECA), where he commended management and staff for their resilience despite sectoral challenges. He emphasized that the Colleges remain central to advancing the mandates of both the ARCN and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
“Agriculture is a key driver of Nigeria’s economy, and expectations are even greater under the Renewed Hope Agenda and the national food security emergency. We must strengthen research, training, and extension to fast-track innovation, boost productivity, and help Nigeria achieve the SDGs by 2030,” Dabban said.
The ARCN boss disclosed that the Council is engaging the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to secure interventions for agricultural research institutions. He added that the Council has re-initiated the review of the Conditions and Schemes of Service for National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs) and FCAs, in collaboration with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, to improve staff welfare and institutional performance.
Other reforms underway, he noted, include strengthening the monitoring and evaluation system, updating management guidelines for NARIs and FCAs, and advocating for upgraded laboratories, workshops, and infrastructure across agricultural institutions.
Dr. Dabban also directed FCAs to:
- Submit annual budgets, quarterly, and annual reports promptly.
- Maintain proper communication with the Council.
- Provide updated staff nominal rolls annually.
- Forward staff promotion lists with relevant documentation ahead of examinations.
- Share new research technologies with the Council for system-wide adoption.
He urged Colleges to respect ARCN officials on official assignments and continue fostering innovation, collaboration, and accountability.
“Our collective responsibility is to ensure agriculture drives growth, creates jobs, and guarantees food security for our nation,” Dabban affirmed.
In his response, the Acting Provost of FECA, Prof. Alayande Folorunsho, thanked the ARCN Executive Secretary for the visit and appealed for renewed TETFund interventions to strengthen agricultural colleges. He also raised concerns about land grabbing around the college, which he said poses safety risks to students and staff, urging ARCN’s intervention.
