NFSP awards N3.2m grants to UniAbuja students to cut food losses

The Nigerian Food Security Project (NFSP) has awarded N3.2m in research grants to about 25 final year students of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Abuja, under the Nigeria Food Security Scholars Programme (NFSSP).

The project, an initiative of the Supply Chain Research and Innovation Hub (SCRIH), focuses on advancing agricultural research, innovation, and human capital development through partnerships with tertiary institutions to deliver practical solutions that enhance food security, boost productivity, and minimise post-harvest losses across Nigeria.

The beneficiaries received project-based grants totalling N3.2 million alongside certificates of participation to support research in food security, agricultural supply chains, climate resilience, post-harvest loss reduction, and sustainable food systems.

Ajibola Oladipo, executive director of NFSP, said the initiative is designed to ensure that research from higher institutions directly contributes to addressing food security challenges.

“We strongly believe in the value of research and want to ensure that research emerging from academic institutions is grounded in the realities of food security challenges,” he said.

Oladiipo explained that the goal of the initiative was to encourage students to align their projects with practical solutions that can contribute to addressing food security issues.

“We are committed to funding and scaling solutions that are commercially viable,” he added.

Similarly. Akeem Oyerinde, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, said the initiative aligns with efforts to tackle food insecurity through research and innovation.

“The primary goal of this initiative is to address food insecurity in Nigeria through research. We selected 25 outstanding students who will receive support to work on issues including women and youth participation in agriculture and post-harvest loss reduction,” he explained.

He described the initiative as the first of its kind in the university, noting its significance for both student development and institutional advancement.

He said that the students have been grouped into thematic research clusters and are conducting studies expected to produce practical insights for the agricultural sector.

Under the programme, students will carry out their research projects under faculty supervision, with quarterly coaching and review sessions organised by SCRIH.

The Nigerian Food Security Project is an initiative of the Supply Chain Research and Innovation Hub focused on advancing agricultural research, innovation, and human capital development.

Through partnerships with tertiary institutions and stakeholders, the project seeks to support practical solutions that strengthen food security, improve agricultural productivity, and reduce post-harvest losses across Nigeria.

The scholarship presentation ceremony was attended by several dignitaries in the university, including Hakeem Fawehinmi, vice-chancellor of the University of Abuja, and Oyerinde Abolade, dean of the Agricultural Faculty, among others.