The Senate has intensified efforts to reform Nigeria’s agricultural colleges and research institutions, seeking to reposition the sector for greater productivity and growth.
As part of this push, lawmakers are engaging key international partners to promote reforms, encourage technology transfer, and attract fresh investments into agriculture. The initiative, led by the Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, includes strategic collaborations with countries such as Malaysia, Brazil, China, Germany, India, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, disclosed this during a series of high-level visits to diplomatic missions in Abuja. He emphasised the National Assembly’s determination to leverage global expertise to enhance productivity, strengthen capacity, and generate employment opportunities.
According to him, the engagements are in preparation for the first National Legislative Summit and Expo on Agricultural Colleges and Research Institutions, scheduled to take place from May 11 to 13 at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, Oyo State.
A statement from the committee noted that the summit aims to attract global support, reinforce institutional structures, and showcase innovations that can accelerate Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.
Alli explained that the committee is deliberately building partnerships with leading agricultural nations to advance research collaboration, promote mechanisation, and encourage the adoption of modern farming techniques.
During a visit to the Malaysian High Commission, he pointed to Malaysia’s global success in palm oil production, noting that Nigeria could benefit from its expertise in agro-industrial development and value chain optimisation.
In discussions with the European Union delegation, the lawmaker welcomed ongoing support for Nigeria’s agricultural sector, particularly in oil palm research, and called for stronger collaboration to tackle climate change, soil degradation, and food security challenges.
At the Brazilian Embassy, Alli praised Brazil’s highly efficient agricultural system, suggesting that Nigeria could achieve similar results through partnerships in mechanisation, irrigation, and improved crop yields.
Talks with representatives from China and Germany focused on opportunities in agricultural engineering, precision farming, and innovation driven by research.
At the Indian High Commission, discussions centred on agro-technology, knowledge exchange, and capacity building, especially in smallholder farming where India has made notable progress.
Further engagements with the British High Commission and Paraguayan representatives explored ways to strengthen cooperation in agricultural education, research funding, and institutional reforms.
Alli reiterated that agriculture remains a key pillar of Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda, with strong potential for job creation, poverty reduction, and rural development.
He also reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to enacting laws that will strengthen partnerships, promote innovation, and drive sustainable reforms in the sector.
The committee chairman urged diplomatic missions to actively participate in the upcoming summit, expressing confidence that it would help shape policy direction and provide a clear roadmap for revitalising agricultural institutions across the country.
