ARCN Restates Tinubu’s Commitment to Food Sustainability Through Research, Innovation
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Dr Abubakar Adamu Dabban, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to achieving food sustainability through strengthened agricultural research and innovation systems.
Dabban gave the assurance during a working visit to the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), Idofian, and the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), Ilorin, Kwara State.
He commended the management and staff of both institutes for their dedication despite sectoral challenges, stressing that their work remains crucial to advancing the mandates of the Council and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
According to him, agriculture remains a major driver of Nigeria’s economy, with even greater expectations under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the declared state of emergency on food security.
READ ALSO: NAHCON Refutes Allegations of Intimidation, Corruption by Online Platform
“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 disclosed that the Council is working with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to ensure the agricultural research subsector benefits from its interventions.
He added that the Council has re-initiated the review of the Conditions and Schemes of Service for the National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs) and Federal Colleges of Agriculture (FCAs) in collaboration with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, to enhance staff welfare and institutional performance.
Dabban noted that ongoing reforms within the Council include strengthening the Monitoring and Evaluation system, updating management guidelines for NARIs and FCAs, and advocating for upgraded laboratories, workshops and infrastructure across agricultural institutions.
He charged the institutes to step up their efforts in research, training and extension services in line with the Federal Government’s food security agenda.
“Forward new research technologies developed to the Council for system-wide updates. Our collective responsibility is to ensure agriculture drives growth, creates jobs and guarantees food security for our nation,” he added.
The Executive Secretary also explained that a separate detailed condition of service for the colleges and research institutes is being developed to improve operational efficiency and staff motivation.
On their part, the Executive Director of NCAM, Dr Kamal Abdulgafar Rasheed, and the Executive Director of NSPRI, Prof Lateef Sani, briefed the ARCN delegation on the activities of their respective institutes.
They also called for more funding, strategic interventions and visibility for their research outputs to strengthen the country’s food system.
