FG, stakeholders endorse Senate’s move for new agric varsity

The federal government and key stakeholders have endorsed the Senate’s proposal to establish the Federal University of Agriculture and Tropical Studies in Iragbiji, Osun State.

They expressed their support during a public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions in Abuja, focusing on the “Federal University of Agriculture and Tropical Studies (Establishment Bill 2024, SB. 569),” sponsored by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele of Ekiti Central.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security fully endorsed the creation of the university.

However, Professor Garba Sharubutu, Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), representing the Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari, raised concerns about certain aspects of the bill, particularly regarding the relationship between the Federal Ministries of education and agriculture.

• Major controversies around sacked ministers
• FG gives Julius Berger ultimatum on Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road

He emphasised the need to clarify the institutional oversight and suggested that the university’s functionality, being agricultural, should align with the Ministry of Agriculture, even though the establishment instrument typically falls under the Ministry of Education.

Further, the minister recommended clear provisions for funding through federal budgetary allocations, grants and other financing options, as the current draft of the bill lacks specifics on these mechanisms.

Representatives from the host community also suggested a slight adjustment to the institution’s name to “The Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies” to better reflect the country’s broader development needs beyond just tropical agriculture.

If established, this would be Nigeria’s sixth federal university of agriculture, joining existing institutions in Abeokuta (Ogun State), Makurdi (Benue State), Umudike (Abia State), Mubi (Adamawa State), and Zuru (Kebbi State).