The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Dr. Abubakar Dabban Adamu, has called for continuous and adequate funding to enable the Council and SERVICOM achieve full-scale service delivery across Nigeria’s agricultural research system.
Dr. Adamu made the appeal in Abuja during an advocacy visit by SERVICOM officials, describing the engagement as timely following delays in holding SERVICOM meetings due to funding constraints. He said unlocking the agency’s full potential depends heavily on improved financial support.
He stated that “SERVICOM is very key to every sector. For us to achieve 100% service delivery, we need to fund SERVICOM for maximum output,” adding that the Council is committed to stronger collaboration with SERVICOM to improve efficiency in the agriculture sector.
The ARCN boss also apologized for earlier changes in the meeting schedule, explaining that operational demands outside Abuja had affected the initial timeline. He expressed confidence that the deliberations would produce more productive outcomes.
Speaking during the visit, the Director, Reform, Coordination, Service Improvement and Innovation at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Udoh Effik, applauded ARCN for previously hosting an impactful focal officers’ meeting.
He explained that government agencies report on reforms to the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), on service delivery to SERVICOM, and on innovation to the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation offices that rely on quarterly submissions for performance assessment.
Effik noted that the quarterly review meetings help agencies share best practices, evaluate progress, and strengthen service delivery in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, especially the focus on food security. He observed that several agencies are struggling with manpower shortages and may rely on SERVICOM to help drive innovation and reforms.
Also speaking, Assistant Director and Team Leader at the SERVICOM Office of the Presidency, Kikelomo Aina, praised Dr. Adamu for championing SERVICOM ideals and urged ARCN to sustain its support.
She emphasized that “ARCN is key because 16 research institutes are under the purview of the Council,” stressing the need to uphold the principle of treating every customer as king.
The meeting ended with renewed commitment to strengthening public service delivery across Nigeria’s agricultural institutions.