ABU at forefront of agricultural research, training, and extension, says Vice-Chancellor
The Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof Adamu Ahmed, says the institution has been at the forefront of agricultural research, training, and extension for over six decades now.
Prof Ahmed said the university took pride in being a national centre of excellence through its Faculty of Agriculture, NAERLS, IAR, NAPRI, and DAC.
The Vice-Chancellor made the remarks at the AGRA Kaduna Consortium Project Stakeholders’ Engagement and Validation meeting held at NAERLS, ABU, Zaria.
These agricultural institutions, according to him, had consistently generated innovation in crop and livestock improvement, natural resource management, and extension delivery.
The Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof Bello Sabo, also said as a university, ABU’s responsibility went beyond teaching and research.
“We are committed to providing evidence- based policy recommendatios, facilitating extension and advisory services, and training the next generation of agricultural scientists, extensionists, and entrepreneurs.
“We believe universities must serve as active partners in development, bridging the gap between knowledge and practice”, he further said.
According to him, the AGRA project exemplified this commitment, contributing to a robust evidence base that could guide similar interventions nationwide.
The Vice-Chancellor also empathised that the future of agriculture in Nigeria depended on collaboration, innovation, and sustainability.
Ahmed explained that the evidence from the AGRA project demonstrated that with the right interventions smallholder farmers could achieve remarkable gains in productivity, income, and resilience.
In an address of welcome, the Executive Director, NAERLS, Prof Yusuf Ahmad Sani, disclosed that more than 1000 community- based advisors (CBAs) had been trained to bridge the gap between farmers and extension agents.
The AGRA Kaduna Programme Officer, Dr Esther Ibrahim, commended NAERLS for its role in successfully driving the project.
Esther, represented by the Director, Federal Department of Agricultural Extension, Mr. Umeh George, urged the Kaduna State Government to establish mechanisms that would sustain the project’s gains.
Also speaking, the Regional Head of Business Development, Bank of Agriculture, Hajiya Salma Isa, said the bank secured N250 billion to support smallholder farmers in Nigeria.
The Principal Investigator and Project Coordinator, Prof Chris Daudu, who equally spoke, outlined key achievements of the project.
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (IDV)
Thursday, 25th September, 2025
