By Felix Khanoba
The Federal Government has introduced a new practical-oriented training model for agricultural education, unveiling 39 reviewed and newly developed curricula and 31 National Occupational Standards to improve food production, equip young people with employable skills and promote agribusiness development.
Under the reform, agricultural training will adopt an 80:20 ratio of practical instruction to theoretical learning, a move aimed at producing industry-ready graduates capable of addressing challenges in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, announced the initiative at its unveiling ceremony held at the UBEC Digital Resource Centre in Abuja.
He described the reform as a strategic investment in human capital development designed to bridge the gap between education and industry while positioning agriculture as a major driver of economic growth under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Alausa stressed that unlocking Nigeria’s agricultural potential would require a skilled workforce equipped to deploy modern technologies, improve production and establish sustainable agribusinesses.
According to the minister, the review and development exercise began in 2025 through collaboration among the Federal Ministries of Education, Agriculture and Food Security, and Livestock Development, as well as regulatory agencies, educational institutions, curriculum experts and industry stakeholders.
The exercise produced 39 curricula, comprising 32 reviewed programmes and seven newly developed ones. It also yielded 31 National Occupational Standards covering National Diploma (ND), Higher National Diploma (HND) and corresponding Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) agricultural programmes, developed in collaboration with the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).
A statement issued on Monday by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, said the reform prioritises practical learning through teaching farms, greenhouses, processing facilities and agricultural technology hubs.
The curricula also incorporate emerging areas, including Precision Agriculture, Climate-Smart Agriculture, Artificial Insemination and Agribusiness, to equip learners with relevant skills for changing industry demands and encourage enterprise creation.
Alausa said the success of the initiative would be assessed through graduates’ practical competence, increased agricultural output, employment generation and measurable contributions to national food security.
He pledged continued collaboration with relevant ministries, regulatory bodies, educational institutions and private-sector partners to ensure effective implementation of the revised programmes and occupational standards.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, commended the initiative, describing it as a significant step towards practical, industry-driven agricultural education.
Maiha praised Tinubu’s emphasis on agriculture and livestock development and acknowledged the contributions of the education and agriculture ministers, alongside the technical team, to the reform process.
He highlighted the role of livestock production in strengthening food and nutrition security, creating jobs, supporting industrial growth and expanding export opportunities.
Citing the Middle East red meat market, valued at approximately $3.2 billion, the livestock minister said Nigeria’s ability to compete in the market remained limited by poor organisation within the sector and a shortage of practical expertise.
He urged educational institutions to establish functional farms, integrate digital technologies and climate-smart practices into training, and widen access to skills, technology, finance and markets.
Maiha also stressed the need to make functional practical training facilities a central requirement for institutional accreditation.
Earlier, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, described the unveiling as an important milestone in repositioning Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), improving teacher preparation and aligning educational programmes with labour-market requirements.
She said competency-based instruction and clearly defined occupational standards would enhance training quality and prepare graduates for productive employment.
Ahmad called on regulatory agencies, educational institutions and industry partners to support the reform by providing qualified instructors, appropriate equipment, functional workshops and continuous professional development opportunities.
She also advocated stronger partnerships between educational institutions and industry to expand apprenticeships, industrial attachments and workplace learning.
The minister of state further emphasised the need to ensure equitable access to training opportunities for women, persons with disabilities and young people from underserved communities.
The Federal Government said the initiative was expected to strengthen agricultural skills development, stimulate agribusiness growth and produce a workforce capable of contributing to improved productivity and sustainable food security nationwide.
