“Seeds of Change: NADF’s Innovative Approach to Revitalizing Nigeria’s Agricultural Research Institutions”

The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has embarked on an ambitious initiative to revitalize Nigeria’s agricultural research institutes and federal colleges of agriculture. This groundbreaking effort aims to identify the strengths, challenges, and opportunities for development within these institutions, paving the way for significant improvements in agricultural productivity.

The initiative was launched during a conference in Abuja, where the NADF highlighted its commitment to reforming Nigeria’s agricultural research landscape. According to Mohammed Abu Ibrahim, Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NADF, the current state of agricultural research institutes in Nigeria is deplorable, attributing their neglect to years of inadequate investment.

The state of these institutions is deplorable due to years of neglect. We are now prioritising their revitalisation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Our approach is to leverage public sector funds to attract private sector investments while ensuring sustainability,” Ibrahim stated.

”The state of these institutions is deplorable due to years of neglect. We are now prioritising their revitalisation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Our approach is to leverage public sector funds to attract private sector investments while ensuring sustainability,” 

To address this, the NADF has conducted a comprehensive assessment of 16 Agricultural Research Institutes and 17 Federal Colleges of Agriculture across Nigeria. This assessment aims to provide a roadmap for targeted support and sustainable improvements.

One of the key challenges facing these institutions is the lack of reliable electricity and digital connectivity. To address this, the NADF has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a major renewable energy company to provide stable electricity to the institutions. Additionally, the NADF is in discussions with an internet service provider to enhance digital connectivity.

The required budget for this initiative is substantial, due to the long-term neglect of agricultural research and development. However, the NADF is committed to securing the necessary funding to support this critical initiative.

This effort marks the first major attempt in 25 years to reform Nigeria’s agricultural research institutions. The last comprehensive evaluation of the National Agricultural Research System was conducted over 40 years ago, during President Shehu Shagari’s Green Revolution.

The initiative has received widespread support, with the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, commending the NADF for spearheading the project. The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, Professor Garba Sharubutu, has also hailed the initiative as the “rebirth of the agricultural research system in Nigeria”.

The ultimate goal of this initiative is to enhance research outputs, develop human capital, and drive agricultural transformation in Nigeria. By providing targeted support and sustainable improvements, the NADF aims to revitalize Nigeria’s agricultural research institutions and federal colleges of agriculture, leading to significant improvements in seed production, food crop upgrades, and overall agricultural productivity.

As the NADF continues to work towards this goal, it is clear that this initiative has the potential to make a lasting impact on Nigeria’s agricultural sector. With the support of key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the NADF is poised to drive meaningful change and promote sustainable agricultural development in Nigeria.

The NADF’s efforts to revitalize Nigeria’s agricultural research institutions and federal colleges of agriculture are a critical step towards promoting economic growth and development in the country. By addressing the long-standing challenges facing these institutions, the NADF is helping to create a more enabling environment for agricultural research and development.

As Nigeria continues to grapple with the challenges of food insecurity and economic development, initiatives like this one are more important than ever. By supporting the NADF’s efforts to revitalize Nigeria’s agricultural research institutions and federal colleges of agriculture, stakeholders can help drive meaningful change and promote sustainable agricultural development in Nigeria.