ARCN Moves to Strengthen Agricultural Research, Colleges
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ARCN Moves to Strengthen Agricultural Research, Colleges
…Dabban pledges reforms, TETFund collaboration to boost food security
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Dr Abubakar Adamu Dabban, has reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to tackling the challenges confronting the nation’s agricultural research institutes and federal colleges of agriculture.
Dabban gave the assurance during a working visit to the Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, Baga, and the Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI), both in Maiduguri, Borno State.
He charged the Federal Colleges of Agriculture (FCAs) to intensify efforts in training, research, and extension services in line with the Federal Government’s food security agenda under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative.
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“We must strengthen research, training, and extension to fast-track innovation, boost productivity, and help Nigeria achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030,” Dabban said.
The ARCN boss commended the management and staff of the institutions for their commitment despite the challenges confronting the sector.
He noted that the colleges and institutes remain central to advancing the mandates of the ARCN and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
He stressed that agriculture remains a major driver of Nigeria’s economy, adding that the sector holds even greater potential under the current administration’s renewed emphasis on food production and security.
Dabban disclosed that the Council was engaging the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to extend its intervention programmes to the agricultural research subsector.
He added that the ARCN had also re-initiated the review of the Conditions and Schemes of Service for the National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs) and the Federal Colleges of Agriculture (FCAs) in collaboration with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
According to him, the reforms are aimed at improving staff welfare, institutional efficiency, and accountability.
“Reforms underway include strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems, updating management guidelines for NARIs and FCAs, and advocating for upgraded laboratories, workshops, and infrastructure across institutions,” Dabban explained.
He further directed the FCAs to ensure prompt submission of annual budgets, quarterly and annual reports, as well as updated nominal rolls and promotion lists with relevant documentation.
The ARCN boss also tasked the colleges to forward new research technologies to the Council for wider adoption and system-wide integration.
“Our collective responsibility is to ensure agriculture drives growth, creates jobs, and guarantees food security for our nation,” he said.
Receiving the ARCN delegation, the Provost of the Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, Baga, Prof. Modu Bako, and the Executive Director of the Lake Chad Research Institute, Prof. Babagana Jubrin, lauded the Executive Secretary for his commitment to institutional development.
They highlighted their achievements and appealed for the restoration of Education Trust Fund (ETF) and TETFund interventions to agricultural colleges and research institutes, saying such support would help upgrade facilities and drive innovation.
Both leaders pledged to sustain collaboration with the ARCN in achieving national goals on food sufficiency, agricultural modernization, and youth empowerment.
