The trio of the Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike in Abia State, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi; and the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta have been directed by the Federal Government to return back to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.
Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, explained that this is to enable them fulfil their core mandate of facilitating research to support Nigeria’s food sufficiency.
The universities, prior to the directive, had been under the the supervisory role of the National Universities Commission (NUC),whereas the Act establishing them had originally aligned them to be under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, with the focus of boosting researches and innovation.
Ogbeh, who gave the directive, after an interactive session with respective vice chancellors of the universities, however, said the students, who are offering courses unconnected to agricultural sciences, would be allowed to complete their course of studies.
He stated that henceforth admission to such universities must be focused on agricultural sciences to boost researches.
“You belong here, and you would be strengthened in driving Nigeria’s self sufficiency in food, and return us to that era when agriculture (was) the mainstay of the Nigerian economy before the advent of oil and gas.
“We are determined to offer you support for researches and ensure you act as global citadels of teaching research and innovations in all facets of agricultural development. The time is apt, and you would be required to through research drive Nigeria’s self sufficiency targets as it is no longer sustainable for us to spend billions on importation.
“By the projections we have, and we continue to grow without any form of control, by the year 2050, the country’s population will be 450 million. We would be number three behind China and India, and shall account for the 5 percent of the World Population.
“So, ask yourself, who would feed this crowd, if we continue the way we are going, with the average year of farmers put at 64 years. Younger people must be attracted into agriculture to address our desperate need for a hunger free nation.
“Our universities of agriculture must lead from the front. You have to offer us perspective in addressing the multi-face ted problems in the agriculture sector,” Ogbeh said.
He, therefore, directed the vice chancellors to ensure that enrolment of candidates for non-agricultural sciences courses are suspended.
“Henceforth, students not interested in becoming farmers be made to seek admission elsewhere. Each undergraduates in your university should own a farm on campus, while 60 percent of the cumulative course be based on practical farming. A system should be put in place to ensure students support their learning and even their families through proceeds from the farming process,” Ogbeh noted.
In his response, the Pro-Chancellor of the Michael Okpara Universities Umudike, Professor Anya O. Anya, assured the Minister that the vice chancellors would join hands in improving research in the agricultural universities, while working closely with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.
Also, the House Committee Chairman of the Agriculture, Mohammed Monguno, suggested to the Minister to initiate an executive bill, which would ensure the regulation of the universities accordingly.