The Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, has said the forthcoming National Legislative Summit on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural sector through effective legislation, collaboration, and research-driven innovations.
Alli made this known on Monday during a media parley held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Centre in Ibadan, ahead of the summit scheduled to commence on Tuesday at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture.
The summit, the first of its kind, is being organised by the Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions. It is expected to attract stakeholders including agricultural research institutes, tertiary institutions, development partners, embassies, and policymakers to deliberate on food security, legislative reforms, research collaboration, and youth engagement in agriculture.
According to Alli, the initiative became necessary following a committee retreat held in December in collaboration with development partners such as Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre and other UK-based organisations.
He stressed that sustainable agricultural development must be anchored on research, noting that weak collaboration between farmers and research institutions has limited the adoption of improved farming techniques and innovations.
“All that we do without research is guesswork,” the senator said, highlighting the need for synergy between farmers, researchers, the National Assembly, and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
Alli cited examples of agricultural breakthroughs, including improved cocoa varieties capable of fruiting within 18 months compared to the traditional seven-year cycle, as well as enhanced cassava breeds developed by Nigerian researchers.
He disclosed that over 28 agricultural institutions and about 12 foreign missions, including the European Union, German Agency for International Cooperation, British High Commission, and the Malaysian Embassy, are expected to participate in the summit to explore partnerships and strengthen international cooperation.
The lawmaker, however, expressed concern over Nigeria’s declining agricultural performance, recalling that countries like Malaysia, which once sourced oil palm seedlings from Nigeria, have now surpassed it in production. He attributed this to poor policy implementation, inadequate funding, and insufficient support for research institutions.
Alli also outlined ongoing efforts to empower farmers and unemployed youths through mechanised farming support, land preparation services, harvesting assistance, and improved market access. He added that solar-powered dryers have been introduced in some communities to reduce post-harvest losses.
He called on journalists to amplify discussions from the summit to draw national attention to the challenges facing agricultural institutions and the urgent need for reforms.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the NUJ Oyo State Council, Akeem Abas, described the summit as timely and capable of enhancing food security and agricultural productivity. He commended Alli’s leadership and noted that the turnout of over 60 media organisations reflected strong confidence in the initiative.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of the National Horticultural Research Institute, Mohammed Lawal Atanda, described the summit as a landmark event that would strengthen legislative frameworks and provide direction for sustainable agricultural research and training.
Similarly, Acting Executive Director of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Adedeji Abiodun Rasheed, called for increased private sector investment in agricultural research, noting that government alone cannot fund the sector’s revitalisation.
Professor Oluwatosin Gabriel of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training also underscored the importance of research in achieving national development and food security.
The summit is expected to run throughout the week, with deliberations focusing on food production, research commercialisation, youth empowerment, global partnerships, and sustainable agricultural development in Nigeria.
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