The Federal Government has announced a groundbreaking initiative to invest N1 billion in select universities and polytechnics with agriculture-focused programs, set to commence in the second quarter of 2025.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, revealed this during a visit to the Epe Campus of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH). The visit, which included officials from the Ministry of Education, underscored the administration’s commitment to enhancing agricultural education and addressing Nigeria’s food security challenges.

Dr. Alausa highlighted that institutions such as YABATECH are expected to take the lead in equipping students with hands-on skills in modern agriculture, including mechanized farming and livestock production. These efforts align with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of improving agricultural output and ensuring national food security.

This investment forms part of the Ministry of Education’s six-point agenda to integrate agriculture into academic and research programs. Dr. Alausa emphasized that Nigeria’s abundant natural resources and arable land provide a solid foundation for tertiary institutions to adopt innovative strategies to transform the agricultural sector.

“Agriculture has the potential to become the backbone of our economy. Universities and polytechnics must champion the integration of cutting-edge solutions to address food security, create jobs, and drive economic growth,” he stated.