FAO donates pest early warning equipment to ABU Institute of Agricultural Research
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has donated early warning equipment for pest management to the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The equipment, which was formally presented at a ceremony held at today (Friday, 29th August, 2025), is domiciled at the Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Agriculture.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of IAR, Prof Yusuf A. Ado, expressed gratitude to FAO for the gesture. He said the institute was uniquely positioned to benefit from and put the equipment to effective use.
He emphasised the strengths of the institute and the agricultural complex at large, describing it as one of the finest in the world.
“We are indeed grateful for this donation. IAR is best suited to utilize it, and we hope this is only the beginning of more collaborations and donations to come”, he said.
Delivering a goodwill message, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof S. B. Abdu, assured FAO that the equipment would be deployed judiciously.
He commended the organization for supporting agricultural research, stating that the faculty remains committed to advancing innovations that will transform agricultural practices in Nigeria.
On his part, the Head of Department of Crop Protection, Prof Rabiu S. Adamu, underscored the importance of the early warning system in modern agriculture.
Countries that are serious about advancing agriculture cannot afford to wait for disasters before acting. This equipment is about prevention, not damage control, and its relevance to our department and to Nigeria’s food security cannot be overstated”, he remarked.
The representative of the FAO Country Rep, Mr. Taofik Braima, in his address, explained FAO’s mandate as the UN’s specialized agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger by supporting agricultural development, food security, and sustainable natural resource management.
He highlighted FAO’s ongoing engagements in Kaduna State, noting that only yesterday (Thursday, 28th August, 2025), they were at the College of Agriculture and Animal Science (CAAS), Mando, Kaduna, to attend the graduation of students supported by FAO.
“This shows the value we attach to institutions within Kaduna State, and we will continue to explore new opportunities for collaboration with ABU and its institutes”, he said.
He further conveyed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor of ABU for supporting research partnerships.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Prof Adamu Ahmed, commended FAO for the donation and lauded IAR for consistently projecting the image of the university through its groundbreaking research.
“IAR has always been at the forefront of agricultural innovation, and it is indeed the best place for this equipment to be domiciled.
“We are hopeful that this collaboration will deepen further in the years ahead”, he said.
Delivering a vote of thanks, Prof L J Bamaiyi, Assistant Director of Research at IAR, expressed appreciation to FAO for the gesture, as he recognized the roles of various stakeholders that facilitated the process.
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (IDV)
Friday, 29th August, 2025
