***Agricultural Colleges cry for help as Nigeria’s Education Policies leave them behind
***Call for Greater Support in Advancing Food Security
The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Food Security, Barrister Yejide Ogundipe, has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to strengthening agricultural education and research in Nigeria.
Speaking at a quately meeting of provost of national committees of Agricultural research institutes and related matters she emphasized the vital role these institutions play in achieving food security under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The event, which brought together key stakeholders in Nigeria’s agricultural education sector, highlighted the need for improved visibility and intervention for colleges of agriculture.
Despite their critical role in training middle-level manpower in agriculture, Ogundipe observed that these institutions currently lack access to funding from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), a situation the SSA described as surprising.
“The colleges of agriculture are at the heart of agricultural research and innovation, yet they are not benefiting from TETFund interventions like universities and polytechnics.
“I will ensure that this concern is presented to Mr. President and the Chief of Staff upon their return,” Ogundipe assured.
She outlined three key areas where agricultural institutions must contribute to enhancing food security to include developing improved crop varieties to combat climate change effects, expanding capacity-building for farmers and extension workers, and attracting younger generations to agribusiness through entrepreneurship-driven curricula.
The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Garba Hamidu Sharubutu, and other officials at the event expressed gratitude for the federal government’s renewed focus on food security.
They reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with the administration to ensure that agricultural colleges receive the necessary resources to drive innovation and productivity in the sector.
According to Sharubutu, Under President Tinubu’s leadership, food security has been prioritized through initiatives such as the declaration of a state of emergency on food security, the renaming of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and the creation of the SSA office on food security.
Dr. Fadiyimu Akinyemi, President of the National Committee of Agricultural Research Institutes and Related Matters and Provost of the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, said the country’s Colleges of Agriculture are fighting for survival, because funding and institutional support continue to bypass them, leaving the sector in crisis.
He sounded the alarm, revealing that no state or federal agency provides direct intervention for agricultural colleges.
“Universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education receive intervention funds, but agricultural colleges get nothing. Who will explain why?” he questioned.
Unlike other tertiary institutions, Colleges of Agriculture do not benefit from TETFund, commercial bank loans, or even private sponsorships—a glaring oversight in a country grappling with food security challenges.
“A rare opportunity for private funding arose in 2023 when an individual proposed a research center, but bureaucracy has stalled the initiative.
Dr. Akinyemi emphasized that while universities focus on theory, Colleges of Agriculture provide 70% practical training and are directly connected to farmers.
“Despite their hands-on approach, they remain underfunded, unrecognized, and institutionally invisible.
“Even technology doesn’t recognize us. Type ‘polytechnic,’ and it appears. Type ‘monotechnic,’ and it gets underlined in red,” he remarked, symbolizing the sector’s neglect.
He observed that though the Renewed Hope Agricultural Technology Adoption Program (RATA) was launched, to train young Nigerians in agriculture political influece has marred the initiative
However, Dr. Akinyemi cautioned that such programs must avoid political influence and instead focus on supporting serious students.
He proposed for direct funding of the best agricultural students to establish farms, ensuring real impact instead of wasted resources.
With Nigeria facing increasing food security challenges, experts warn that ignoring agricultural education is a dangerous mistake.
Colleges of Agriculture have the potential to drive innovation and boost productivity—but only if they receive the support they desperately need.
The big question remains: Will the government listen, or will agricultural education continue to wither away?
Stakeholders at the meeting expressed optimism that with improved funding, policy implementation, and collaborative efforts, Nigeria’s agricultural colleges will play a leading role in ensuring sustainable food production and economic growth.
