By Chidi Ugwu
The National Stakeholders’ Forum on Agricultural Research Capabilities commenced today in Abuja, bringing together key players in the agricultural sector to reflect on Nigeria’s progress in agricultural research and chart a path for its future.
The event, themed “Research Capabilities in Nigeria: The Journey So Far,” was jointly convened by the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) and the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), with contributions from the Committee of Directors of Research Institutes (CODRI) and the National Committee of Heads of Colleges of Agriculture and Related Disciplines (NACHCARD).
In his opening remarks, Dr. Abubakar Adamu Dabban, Executive Secretary of ARCN, described the Forum as a “strategic platform” to celebrate achievements, address challenges, and envision the future of agricultural research in Nigeria.
He proposed that the Forum be held annually, underscoring its importance to the nation’s agricultural development, highlighting the milestones achieved by the Nigerian National Agricultural Research System (NARS), to include advancements in human resources, technological innovations, infrastructure, and knowledge dissemination.
These achievements, he noted, were made possible through robust partnerships with government bodies, national and international research institutions, the private sector, development partners, and farming communities.
He specifically acknowledged the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the CGIAR family, ECOWAS, AATF, FARA, CORAF, universities, and private sector partners for their unwavering support.
Paying tribute to the pioneers of agricultural research in Nigeria, Dr. Dabban celebrated the vision of ARCN’s founding fathers while emphasizing the need to build on their legacy.
He outlined ARCN’s commitment to aligning with the strategic goals of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security through several key initiatives, including:”Developing second-generation strategic and operational plans for ARCN, Revisiting the Conditions and Schemes of Service for ARCN, National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs), and Federal Colleges of Agriculture (FCAs), Fully implementing the ARCN (Amended) Act 2021 and Updating the 2009 Guidelines for Management of NARIs and FCAs.
Dr. Dabban stressed that while significant progress has been made, there is still room for growth.
He called for sustained efforts to strengthen research governance, invest in human and institutional capacity, and foster national, regional, and global collaboration to address challenges such as climate change and population growth.
These efforts, he said, are critical to achieving food security and transforming livelihoods through science, innovation, and technology.
The Forum aims to generate actionable insights to shape a responsive, inclusive, and transformative agenda for agricultural research in Nigeria.
Dr. Dabban emphasized that capability management is a shared responsibility, urging stakeholders to ensure that the Forum’s outcomes are effectively implemented across the agricultural research value chain.
Expressing gratitude to IITA, CODRI, and NACHCARD for their partnership, Dr. Dabban declared the Maiden Edition of the National Agricultural Research Forum open, wishing participants productive deliberations and a fruitful event.
As Nigeria’s agricultural sector stands at a critical juncture, the Forum serves as a catalyst for renewed commitment to innovation and collaboration, with the goal of driving sustainable agricultural development for the nation.
