The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Dr. Abubakar Adamu Dabban, has called on Federal Colleges of Agriculture (FCAs) to intensify efforts in research, training, and extension services to align with the Federal Government’s declared emergency on food security.
Dr. Dabban, who gave the charge during a visit to the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, commended the institution’s staff for their resilience despite challenges.
“We must strengthen research, training, and extension to fast-track innovation, boost productivity, and help Nigeria achieve the SDGs by 2030,” Dabban said.
He disclosed that the Council is already engaging the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for intervention projects and has re-initiated reforms on the Conditions and Schemes of Service for both National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs) and FCAs to improve staff welfare and institutional efficiency.
According to him, the reforms also include:
”A stronger Monitoring & Evaluation framework
”Updated management guidelines for NARIs and FCAs
”Advocacy for upgraded laboratories, workshops, and infrastructure”.
The ARCN boss directed the Colleges to submit annual budgets, quarterly reports, staff nominal rolls, and promotion documentation promptly, while also forwarding new research breakthroughs for system-wide adoption.
Receiving the delegation, Prof. Alayande Folorunsho, Acting Provost of the College, thanked the ES for his visit, appealing for urgent TETFund intervention and assistance in resolving land-grabbing threats affecting staff and students.
“Our safety is being compromised, and we seek your intervention to secure our lands and restore needed funding for agricultural research and training,” he appealed.
Dr. Dabban assured that the Council would sustain reforms to ensure agriculture drives jobs, growth, and food security under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
ARCN Boss Tasks Federal Colleges of Agriculture on Innovation, Training, Food Security
