The Senate has intensified efforts to reposition Nigeria’s agricultural colleges and research institutions by seeking support from key global partners for reforms, technology transfer, and investment.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.
Alli said the committee had engaged diplomatic missions of Malaysia, Brazil, China, Germany, India, the United Kingdom, and the European Union as part of broader plans to revitalise agricultural education and research in the country.
He noted that the National Assembly was committed to leveraging international expertise to improve productivity, strengthen institutional capacity, and promote job creation, particularly in rural communities.
According to the lawmaker, the engagements were ahead of the First National Legislative Summit and Expo on Agricultural Colleges and Research Institutions scheduled to hold from May 11 to 13 at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Oyo State.
“This visit is aimed at informing the governments of China, the European Union, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, India, and Malaysia about the committee’s planned activities and to solicit their support, collaboration, and partnership for the First National Legislative Summit and Expo on Agricultural Colleges and Research Institutions,” Alli said.
He added that the initiative was designed to enhance institutional capacity, improve visibility, and promote activities capable of driving sustainable development in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
“All stakeholders play significant roles in developing sustainable and productive agricultural models that can address global agricultural challenges, improve rural livelihoods, and reduce hunger in our communities,” he stated.
The statement added that the summit is expected to mobilise global support, strengthen institutional frameworks, and showcase innovations capable of accelerating Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.
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Alli explained that the committee was building strategic partnerships with leading agricultural nations to promote research collaboration, mechanisation, and adoption of modern farming techniques.
During an engagement with the Malaysian High Commission, the committee highlighted Malaysia’s global reputation in palm oil production and noted that Nigeria could benefit from its expertise in agro-industrial development and value chain optimisation.
The lawmakers also commended the European Union’s interventions in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, particularly in oil palm research, and called for stronger collaboration to address challenges related to climate change, soil degradation, and food security.
Alli further disclosed that discussions with China and Germany focused on agricultural engineering, precision farming, and research-driven innovation aimed at improving productivity and sustainability in the sector.
