Nigeria to harness knowledge-based agriculture for national advancement - Speaker Abbas
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has said that effective legislation and policy development are strong indicators of Nigeria’s readiness to fully harness knowledge-based agriculture for national growth.
Speaking on Monday at a one-day public hearing on 11 bills seeking to establish agricultural institutions across the country, the Speaker noted that Nigeria is uniquely positioned for agricultural advancement.
He cited the country’s vast arable land, youthful farming population, indigenous knowledge systems, and a growing tech ecosystem as vital assets.
“There are numerous countries that have made significant progress in agricultural development by heavily investing in research and development,” Abbas stated.
He pointed to Brazil’s EMBRAPA, which transformed infertile savannahs into thriving food hubs; Vietnam’s strategic reforms that lifted millions out of poverty; and Israel’s innovation in arid-zone agriculture as examples Nigeria could emulate or even surpass.
Abbas emphasized that the legislative proposals under review demonstrate the House’s commitment to driving impactful governance through proactive and visionary laws.
He said the bills reflect a shared determination to restructure and modernize the country’s agricultural sector through legal means capable of delivering sustainable development.
He said, “To be clear, the legislative pursuit through public hearings and other legislative processes underscores the focus of our Legislative Agenda in the area of agricultural research and education as central pillars of national development, particularly in an era defined by volatile food security, climate challenges, and evolving global markets.
“It is important to emphasize that each of the proposed Bills encapsulates a forward-looking vision of agriculture as a strategic force, no longer tethered to archaic systems, but poised for transformation through innovation and inclusive economic participation.
“When enacted into law, these instruments will signify Nigeria’s firm embrace of scientific methodologies, digital integration, and evidence-based policy in the pursuit of a productive and competitive agricultural sector. They will equally signal to our domestic and international stakeholders that we are ready to harness the full breadth of knowledge-based agriculture for national advancement.
“With Nigeria’s economy still grappling with the vulnerabilities of oil dependency, agriculture presents the most viable alternative to attaining broad-based economic resilience. It is within this context that the establishment and expansion of Agricultural Research Institutions across the country is not only necessary, but strategically urgent.”
The Speaker is convinced that the passage of the Bills will invigorate the nation’s agricultural institutions by providing them with a robust legal and operational framework.
He stressed that strengthening research centres will unlock new insights in crop production, pest control, and climate-smart agriculture, while expanding extension services will bridge the gap between research and practice, ensuring that innovations reach the grassroots.
He maintained that enhanced farmer engagement will not only boost productivity, but also lead to improved livelihoods, healthier soils, and rural development outcomes, adding that by building institutional capacity, “we are also investing in future generations of agronomists, scientists, and policy experts who will sustain this momentum.
He said it is imperative to also consider mechanisms for funding, oversight, and public-private partnerships that will ensure the sustainability of these institutions, saying “we must not only legislate, but also build frameworks for monitoring and evaluating their impact.
‘Legislative intent must be matched by executive efficiency and community engagement. The agricultural sector does not exist in isolation; it intersects with education, health, environment, and economic development. It is this interpectoral awareness that must guide consideration of these Bills.”
Chairman of the House Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, I saw Akinlade said the hearing seeks not just to perform its constitutional obligation, but also to provide an avenue to share ideas, deliberate and assist us lawmakers, in legislating and making informed decisions in the public’s best interest.
Akinlade recalled that back in the 60s and 70s, Nigeria was among the major exporter of Agricultural produce such as cocoa, cotton, palm oil & groundnuts ete, adding that “after the discovery of crude oil, we largely neglected this lucrative sector and became highly dependent on oil due to its quick inflow of foreign exchange.
“The devastating effect of this action is still affecting us as a nation to date. Nevertheless, it is never too late to undo our mistake and set our nation on the right trajectory to economic buoyancy. By incorporating the right strategy our agriculture sector can metamorphose into becoming the backbone of our economy, the heart of our rural communities, and the source of sustenance for every citizen.
“With a population size of over 220million and still growing, the nation is desirous of more agricultural colleges and research institutions that will help proffer solutions to issues namely — climate change, insecurity, pest outbreaks, soil degradation, unskilled laborers, livestock management, etc. I am positive that establishing more agricultural colleges and institutions will drive specialization and dedication to agricultural excellence.
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