Nigeria Senate pushes agricultural education overhaul to boost food security

The Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, chaired by Senator Sharafadeen Alli, announced a comprehensive reform of Nigeria's agricultural education and research system. The plan shifts curricula toward practical training—targeting 60‑70% practical focus on crop production, livestock and agribusiness—to address food insecurity and create jobs.

The committee is forging high‑level diplomatic engagements with partners in Malaysia, Brazil, China, Germany, India, the United Kingdom and the European Union to secure technology transfer, investment and training. It is reviewing the legal framework governing the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria and supporting the creation of specialised institutions such as a Federal College of Agriculture in Shani, Borno State.

The reforms will be highlighted at the first National Legislative Summit and Expo on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions in Ibadan, where officials from research bodies like the National Horticultural Research Institute and the Cocoa Research Institute called for stronger legislative backing and private‑sector collaboration to translate research innovations into market‑ready products.