By Stella Odueme
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has called on Universities of Agriculture to shift their approach towards commercialisation of research and innovation, particularly in livestock farming, to tackle food insecurity and ensure sustainability.
Speaking during a visit by a delegation from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, the Minister highlighted the importance of practical, hands-on training for students in agriculture and livestock studies and the need to transform agricultural education into actionable solutions.
A statement by the Director, Information and Public Relations Department, Ben. Bem Goong on Thursday said he reiterated his Ministry’s commitment to forging partnerships with academic institutions to commercialise agricultural knowledge and drive real-world impact in tackling food insecurity.
“Knowledge must be commercialised. We must leverage the vast potential within Nigeria’s universities, particularly those focused on agriculture, to drive sustainable solutions to food security challenges. We can establish research lines, look for funding and get collaborations. We need to change our mindset. I’m saying this as a Nigerian, and I know the capacity we have in these universities,” the Minister said.
“We cannot train the next generation of agricultural experts and entrepreneurs in classrooms alone. University farms should be centers of excellence where students gain real-world experience, experiment with innovations, and learn sustainable practices
“We will work together to drive this process. We will work together to meet the mandate of this ministry. We will work together to supply the food requirements of this country in their different and various nutritional forms,” Maiha added.
The minister emphasised that every farmable animal in Nigeria, including cattle, goats, sheep, rabbits, pigs, donkeys, and even bees, falls under the purview of the Ministry of Livestock Development, urging the private sector to collaborate with universities to make these farms economically viable and commercially successful.
