The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Dr. Abubakar Adamu Dabban, has reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to addressing the challenges facing Agricultural Research Institutes and Federal Colleges of Agriculture across the country.
Dr. Dabban gave the assurance during a working visit to the Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, Baga, Maiduguri, and the Lake Chad Research Institute, Maiduguri.
According to a statement by Khadijat O. Ameen, Head of Public Relations at ARCN, the Executive Secretary urged Federal Colleges of Agriculture (FCAs) to redouble their efforts in training, research, and extension services in line with the Federal Government’s food security agenda.
Commending the management and staff of the institutions for their dedication despite numerous challenges, Dr. Dabban emphasized that Agricultural Colleges and Research Institutes are pivotal to the implementation of the mandates of both the ARCN and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
“Agriculture remains a major driver of Nigeria’s economy, and under the Renewed Hope Agenda and the declared state of emergency on food security, the expectations are even greater,” he stated.
He stressed the need to strengthen research, training, and extension systems to fast-track innovation, boost productivity, and support Nigeria’s efforts toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Dr. Dabban also revealed that the ARCN is actively engaging with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to secure intervention funding for agricultural research institutions. Additionally, the Council has resumed the review of the Conditions and Schemes of Service for National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs) and FCAs, in collaboration with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation. This move, he said, aims to enhance staff welfare and institutional performance.
He outlined ongoing reforms, including:
Strengthening Monitoring and Evaluation systems,
Updating management guidelines for NARIs and FCAs,and
Advocating for upgraded laboratories, workshops, and critical infrastructure
Dr. Dabban also issued a directive to all FCAs, requesting them to:
Submit annual budgets, quarterly and annual reports in a timely manner
Maintain effective communication with the Council
Provide updated staff nominal rolls annually
Submit promotion lists with supporting documents ahead of examinations
Forward newly developed research technologies to the Council for system-wide dissemination
He urged the Colleges to give due respect to ARCN staff on official duties and continue to foster innovation and collaboration.
“Our collective responsibility is to ensure agriculture drives inclusive economic growth, creates jobs, and guarantees food security for our nation,” he said.
On the ongoing reforms, the Executive Secretary noted that the push to establish separate and detailed Conditions of Service for the Colleges and Research Institutes is still in progress.
In their remarks, the Provost of the Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, Prof. Modu Bako, and the Executive Director of the Lake Chad Research Institute, Prof. Babagana Jubrin, thanked Dr. Dabban and the ARCN leadership for their support.
They highlighted their institutions’ achievements and appealed to the Executive Secretary to facilitate the return of Education Trust Fund (ETF) and TETFund interventions for Agricultural Colleges and Research Institutes.
