The Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMinna) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi, Niger State, in a bid to ensure food security in the country.
Both parties signed the MoU as the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Faruk Adamu Kuta, endorsed the documents on behalf of FUTMinna, while the Executive Director of NCRI, Badeggi, Dr. Aliyu Umar, signed for his Institute.
Speaking shortly after appending his signature to the document, the Executive Director of NCRI, who is also an alumnus of the University, stated that the MoU will formalize and strengthen the long-standing link between both institutions.
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He expressed hope that the partnership would result in a win-win situation for the two parties, adding that the collaboration was coming at a time when the NCRI was extending the frontiers of research and networking to harness its resources.
The Vice-Chancellor, while giving the assurance of not just his commitment to the collaboration but his determination to expand its scope, implored both parties to ensure faithful implementation of the terms of the agreement in the MOU so that the collaboration would achieve its aim.
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He argued that the partnership is not out of place despite the fact that the university trains manpower for the nation, as he stressed the need for both parties to explore ways of making an impact on society through the collaboration.
Also speaking was the University’s Director of Collaboration, Affiliation, and Linkages, Professor Israel Olayemi, who explained the scope of the MoU as a means to establish cooperative relations between NCRI and FUTMinna in the areas of research, teaching, exchange of students and staff on study tours, and technology generation and dissemination for sustainable food and nutrition security in Nigeria.
