ARCN Partners EERC to Align Research with National Development Priorities
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Economic and Environmental Resource Centre (EERC) to strengthen research coordination, knowledge management and policy engagement in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in Abuja, is aimed at fostering deeper collaboration in research priority alignment, joint proposal development, policy dialogue, knowledge sharing and participation in fellowship programmes.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Executive Secretary of ARCN, Dr. Adamu Abubakar Dabban, described the agreement as a significant milestone in the Council’s efforts to bridge the gap between research outputs and national policy formulation.
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He said the partnership would provide a solid framework for impactful engagement and ensure that agricultural research remains responsive to Nigeria’s development needs.
“The areas of cooperation captured in this MoU — joint proposal development, policy dialogue and knowledge engagement, research priority alignment, knowledge sharing and publication, as well as participation in EERC’s scholars and fellowship programme — will strengthen evidence-based policymaking and promote intellectual exchange,” Dabban stated.
He emphasised that ARCN, as the apex body mandated to manage, supervise and regulate agricultural research, training and extension activities in Nigeria, oversees 16 National Agricultural Research Institutes and 18 Federal Colleges of Agriculture.
According to him, the collaboration comes at a critical time when the agricultural sector must respond proactively to environmental pressures, economic challenges and shifting policy landscapes.
“Today’s signing goes beyond a formal agreement. It represents a strategic alignment between research, policy and economic sustainability. Through this partnership, we are reinforcing our commitment to food security, environmental sustainability and economic competitiveness,” he said.
Dabban further disclosed that ARCN would constitute a dedicated implementation team to work closely with EERC to ensure effective coordination, accountability and measurable outcomes.
He expressed confidence that the partnership would enhance the Council’s ability to generate relevant knowledge and translate research findings into actionable policy insights that will strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural and environmental resilience.
In her remarks, the Executive Director of EERC, Dr. Adeyanju Oluwatoyin, described the collaboration as a strategic opportunity to deepen research-based policy development and improve national evaluation processes.
She noted that the partnership would create a platform for both institutions to combine expertise in developing data-driven policies capable of addressing pressing economic and environmental challenges.
“We are pleased to be part of this collaboration. We see it as a strategic opportunity to work together in developing research-based policies that will support national evaluation and drive sustainable development. I am confident that this partnership will make a meaningful impact,” she said.
The event was attended by ARCN’s top management team and senior programme advisers from EERC.
