The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha has urged universities specialising in agriculture to reconsider their approach to commercialising research and innovation, particularly in livestock farming, as a means to combat food insecurity and promote sustainability.
During a visit from a delegation of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, the minister stressed the importance of practical, hands-on training for students in agriculture and livestock studies, highlighting the need to transform agricultural education into actionable solutions.
He reiterated his ministry’s commitment to establishing partnerships with academic institutions to commercialise agricultural knowledge and create real-world impacts in addressing food insecurity.
“Knowledge must be commercialised. We need to harness the vast potential within Nigeria’s universities, especially those focused on agriculture, to develop sustainable solutions for food security challenges. We can establish research initiatives, seek funding, and foster collaborations. We need to shift our mindset. I say this as a Nigerian, aware of the capabilities present in these universities,” the minister stated.
“We cannot train the next generation of agricultural experts and entrepreneurs solely in classrooms. University farms should serve as centres of excellence where students gain real-world experience, experiment with innovations, and learn sustainable practices.
“We will collaborate to drive this initiative forward. Together, we will fulfil the mandate of this ministry and meet the diverse food requirements of our country in various nutritional forms,” Maiha added.
In a statement released by the ministry’s director of information and public relations department, Ben Bem Goong, the Minister emphasised that all farmable animals in Nigeria – including cattle, goats, sheep, rabbits, pigs, donkeys and even bees – fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Livestock Development. He called on the private sector to collaborate with universities to ensure these farms are economically viable and commercially successful.
