Chinese researchers visit ABU for collaboration with IAR on agriculture
Officials from the Hubei Provincial Technology Market Association, Wuhan, China have called on the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Prof Adamu Ahmed.
The Chinese officials were received on Monday, 19th January, 2026, at the Vice-Chancellor’s Conference Room, Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria.
Briefing the Vice-Chancellor on the visit, the Director, Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Prof Ado Yusuf, stated that two months ago, he attended a meeting of China-Africa development forum in Wuhan, China, where he represented the Vice-Chancellor.
Prof Yusuf said that it was at that meeting he met Prof Guo Bao Yuan, where they discussed possible collaborations with IAR on seed production and development.
The Director disclosed that it was then that Prof Yuan promised to make a follow up.
In a remark, a member of the team, Senator Mubarak Ahmad Tijjani from Abuja said they were at the University to partner on a policy that was solidified some weeks ago in China.
Mubarak said they would activate the second cornerstone of agric development and food security.
According to him, they were in ABU to propose joint technology transfer and incubation centre Hubei Province and IAR.
He said to enhance the partnership, Nigeria needs local anchors, stressing that they need IAR seasoned researchers to enhance technology transfer and food security in Nigeria.
Mubarak emphasized that Nigeria was ready and that by hosting the incubation centre, IAR will not only be a research institute, China-Nigeria incubation centre.
Also speaking, Prof Guo Bao Yuan of the Hubei Provincial Technology Market Association, Wuhan, China thanked the Vice-Chancellor for the warm reception accorded to them.
Prof Yuan said Prof Ado visited them in Wuhan sometimes back, which had the highest number of on campus students in China.
He said when he met Prof Ado, they finalized the signing of two Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs).
Prof Yuan explained that in September, 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had visited China, where he talked about bilateral relations about developing agriculture between Nigeria and China.
He thanked the Vice-Chancellor and the University Management for their willingness to collaborate with them.
Responding, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, stated that the relationship Nigeria had with China was based on respect.
Prof Ahmed affirmed that when it comes to technology, there was no better place to look at than China.
The Vice-Chancellor noted that choosing to collaborate with ABU, and IAR in particular was heartwarming.
According to Ahmed, the University had the finest breeders in the country, stressing that he was very excited that the innovation centre would be established in IAR.
He assured Prof Yuan and his team of the University’s readiness and commitment to support the initiative.
Prof Ahmed said that ABU is a good friend of China, and that Chinese companies have had projects in the University and that the University would continue to build on those collaborations.
Those who supported the Vice-Chancellor in receiving the guest were Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof Raymond Bako and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Advancement, Research and Innovation, Prof Sanusi Aliyu Rafindadi.
Others were Special Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Ibrahim Sani Kaita; Director, Directorate of Advancement and International Education, Prof M I Umar-Buratai; and Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Prof S B Abdu.
They also included IAR’s Prof M F Ishiyaku, Prof I U Abubakar, and Prof Shehu Garki Ado.
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (NEWS/AHW/PIC/ TKU)
Tuesday, 20th January, 2026
