In a bid to enable them fulfil their core mandate of facilitating research to support Nigeria’s food sufficiency, the Federal Government on Tuesday directed three federal universities of agric to return to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.
The three affected universities are: the Federal University of Agriculture Umudike in Abia State, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, and the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta.
Prior to this, the universities have been under the supervisory role of the National Universities Commission (NUC), whereas the Act establishing them had originally aligned them with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, with a focus of boosting researches and innovation.
Audu Ogbeh, minister of agriculture, while briefing newsmen Tuesday in Abuja after an interactive session with respective vice chancellors of the universities, said the students who were offering courses unconnected to agric sciences would however be allowed to complete their course of studies, while stating that henceforth admission to such universities must be focused on agric sciences to boost researches.
“You belong here, and you would be strengthened in driving Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in food and return us to that era when agriculture is the mainstay of the Nigerian economy before the advent of oil and gas,” he said.
According to Ogbeh, “We are determined to offer you support for researches and ensure you act as global citadels of teaching research and innovations in all facets of agricultural development. The time is apt, and you would be required to through research drive Nigeria’s self sufficiency targets as it is no longer sustainable for us to spend billions on importation.”
In his response, pro-chancellor of the Michael Okpara University Umudike, Anya O Anya, assured the minister that the vice chancellors would join hands in improving research in the agric universities while working closely with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.
Also, the House Committee chairman on agric, Mohammed Monguno, suggested to the minister to initiate an executive bill that would ensure the regulation of the universities accordingly.
