Deborah Makoji
Abuja
The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) has assured Nigerians of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment towards food sustainability drive.
The Executive Secretary, ARCN, Abubakar Adamu Dabban, gave the assurance while at a working visit to the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization,(NCAM) Idofian, Kwara state and the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPR) Ilorin, Kwara state.
According to the press statement signed by Khadijat Ameen, Head, Public Relations, ARCN, the Executive Secretary commended management and staff for their commitment despite sectoral challenges. He stressed that the institutes play a critical role in advancing the mandate of the council and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
He noted that agriculture remains a major driver of Nigeria’s economy, with even greater expectations under the Renewed Hope Agenda and the declared emergency on food security.
“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 ARCN is engaging with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to ensure the agricultural research subsector benefits from its interventions. The Council, he added, has also re-initiated the review of the Conditions and Schemes of Service for the 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.
He disclosed that reforms underway include strengthening the Monitoring and Evaluation system, updating management guidelines for NARIs and FCAs, and advocating for upgraded laboratories, workshops, and infrastructure across institutions.
He charged the institutes to double their efforts in training, research, and extension services in line with the Federal Government’s food security agenda.
"Forward new research technologies developed to the Council for system-wide updates."
“Our collective responsibility is to ensure agriculture drives growth, creates jobs, and guarantees food security for our nation."
The executive secretary also explained how the condition of service works. He said the push is not over as separate detailed condition of service for the colleges and institutes is underway.
On their part, the Executive Director, National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization,(NCAM) Idofian, Kwara state, Kamal Abdulgafar Rasheed and the Executive Director, Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPR), Prof Lateef Sani highlighted activities of their institutes while also calling for more funding, interventions and visibility of their research works.
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