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FG encourage institutions to convert unused lands into food production hubs
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As the food and nutrition crisis is set to hit over 33.1 million Nigerians by August 2025, the Federal Government, yesterday, charged academic institutions to transform unused lands into food production hubs.
The call was made by the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Food Security, Barrister Yejide Ogundipe, while delivering a speech on ‘Food Security and the Role of Research Institutions in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’, at a quarterly meeting of provost of national committees of agricultural research institutes and related matters.
Ogundipe also expressed concern that over the years Nigeria has been referred to as having “agricultural potential”, but “potential alone does not fill empty stomachs.”
Meanwhile, she pointed out that the agricultural research institutions occupy a strategic position and play a key role in achieving food security under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to her, the Tinubu-led administration has put the nation’s agricultural sector in the front burner as he had demonstrated a strong political will to change the narrative as he made food security a core priority under his ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’.
She also added that agricultural education institutions should extend their focus beyond production and provide training on post-harvest management solutions to reduce food losses and improve food availability.
She said: “Despite agriculture’s critical role in our economy, Nigeria still struggles to feed itself. “For decades, our nation has been described as one filled with promise and vast agricultural potential. Yet, as we all know, potential alone does not fill empty stomachs.
“Furthermore, Colleges and Research Institutes must transition agriculture from being purely theoretical to practical, actively engaging in farming for food production.
“Academic institutions in Nigeria possess vast tracts of unused land that can be repurposed for food production and food processing hubs. These institutions can help curb the food crisis by involving undergraduates and youth from local communities in farming activities, while adopting modern agricultural practices and tools. This initiative will not only provide food for university residents and host communities but also cultivate a new generation of skilled agricultural practitioners.”
However, she noted that agricultural productivity remains low, and food production has not kept pace with Nigeria’s rapidly growing population. Several challenges, including insecurity, climate change, and outdated farming practices, continue to hinder progress in the sector.
Therefore, she highlighted that the President recognizing the urgent need for action, the President took three strategic steps immediately after assuming office: Declaration of state of emergency on food security on July 13, 2023.Renaming the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, emphasizing the government’s renewed focus on ensuring food availability for all Nigerians.
Also he created the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Food Security, with a clear mandate to drive policy integration, promote sustainable food production and supply, and enhance stakeholder coordination in tackling food insecurity.
She also urged Nigerians and relevant agricultural institutions to work in synergy and not in silos to act now, because, “Food security is not merely a policy agenda — it is a national imperative. We must leverage the knowledge and expertise within our research institutions and educational bodies to address the pressing challenges facing Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
“Through collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to progress, we can transform agriculture into a thriving and sustainable sector that guarantees food for every Nigerian. Let us work together to turn our agricultural potential into reality.”
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, ARCN, Garba Sharubutu, and other officials commended the efforts of the Tinubu-led administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda on food and nutrition security, and assured their support and readiness to assiduously work with the Tinubu administration to ensure that agricultural colleges receive the necessary resources to drive innovation and productivity in the sector.
However, in a remark, the President of the National Committee of Agricultural Research Institutes and Related Matters and Provost of the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Dr Fadiyimu Akinyemi, lamented the neglect of Colleges of Agriculture as they struggle to survive in terms of lack of funding and institutional support, which they have been longing and begging for but had always bypassed them, therefore, the nation’s agricultural sector has been in a deep crisis.
“Universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education receive intervention funds, but agricultural colleges get nothing. Who will explain why?” he questioned.
He also alleged that Colleges of Agriculture do not benefit from TETFund interventions, while speaking on lack of access by the agric colleges to commercial bank loans, or even private sponsorships, which are areas that would have boost the productivity of the colleges to salvage Nigeria from the current food crisis.
“A rare opportunity for private funding arose in 2023 when an individual proposed a research centre, but bureaucracy has stalled the initiative.
“Despite their hands-on approach, they remain underfunded, unrecognized, and institutionally invisible”, he lamented.
Meanwhile, stakeholders at the meeting expressed optimism that the panacea to food security and performance by research institutes is for government and donor agencies to increase and improve funding, sustainable policy implementation process devoid of politicisation, and genuine collaborative efforts, and also assured that if the right things are put in place and done Nigeria’s agricultural colleges will galvanize the sector.
The Federal Government has directed universities and other tertiary institutions across the country to temporarily suspend students who repeatedly test positive for drugs, as part of new measures aimed at tackling substance abuse in schools.
The directive is contained in the National Implementation Guidelines Against Drugs and Substance Use in Schools in Nigeria (Tertiary Institutions), which outlines procedures for mandatory drug testing, counselling, treatment and rehabilitation for students.
It was obtained by our correspondent in Abuja on Tuesday.
Under the guidelines, students who test positive after undergoing three stages of drug screening and intervention could be removed from the school environment pending rehabilitation.
“Students found to be positive in the second testing stage shall be made to undergo a third stage of testing, and if found to be positive again, such a student shall be temporarily suspended from the school environment to take treatment from a professional and undergo rehabilitation,” the policy stated.
It also directed all tertiary institutions to conduct mandatory drug integrity tests for newly admitted students in collaboration with approved health facilities.
According to the document, the objective is to identify students who may require help while promoting safer and healthier learning environments across campuses.
“The aim is to identify students who may need help, promote a safe and healthy school environment,” the guidelines stated.
The government stated that the testing process would commence with an initial assessment designed to determine the health status of students.
“The first test is to ascertain the health status of every student. Persons found to be positive to drugs shall undergo the initial intervention and treatment, which shall include counselling,” the document added.
Students who fail the first test would undergo counselling and treatment before being subjected to a second screening.
Those who test positive again would be referred to professionals for further medical attention and rehabilitation.
The guidelines also mandated periodic drug testing for returning students at least once every academic session.
In addition to sanctions for students, institutions were directed to establish disciplinary committees headed by student affairs officers to oversee compliance and enforcement.
The document further warned that students who refuse rehabilitation procedures could also be separated from the school environment until they are considered stable.
“Any student who refuses to abide by the treatment/rehabilitation procedures shall be temporarily separated from the school environment until he/she is found to be stable,” the guidelines stated.
The policy extends beyond students to include shop owners and vendors operating within campuses.
The government warned that vendors linked to drug-related activities could lose their operating licences and be reported to law enforcement agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
The new measures come amid growing concerns over rising cases of substance abuse among young Nigerians, particularly within tertiary institutions.
Data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and previous national drug use surveys have consistently shown increasing rates of drug consumption among Nigerian youths, with substances such as cannabis, codeine, tramadol, and other psychoactive drugs commonly abused.
Authorities and education stakeholders have repeatedly raised concerns that drug abuse is contributing to cultism, violent behaviour, declining academic performance, mental health challenges and insecurity on campuses.
In recent years, the Federal Government and the NDLEA have intensified advocacy campaigns in schools, warning that substance abuse among students has become a major public health and security concern.
The latest guidelines signal a tougher regulatory approach, combining counselling and rehabilitation with disciplinary measures aimed at discouraging drug use within tertiary institutions.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has officially been sworn in for a seventh consecutive term after securing victory in the country’s disputed January elections, extending his nearly four-decade rule.
Tight security was observed across Kampala ahead of the inauguration ceremony, with armoured vehicles and security operatives deployed around key areas. Authorities said the measures were put in place to maintain order during the event.
Museveni, 81, was declared winner of the presidential election with more than 70 percent of the vote and is expected to remain in office until 2031. His main challenger, Bobi Wine, rejected the outcome, alleging widespread electoral malpractice including ballot stuffing. Electoral officials denied the accusations and maintained that the poll was credible.
Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, later fled Uganda, claiming he feared for his safety and accusing the government of targeting opposition figures.
Museveni first took power in 1986 after leading a rebel movement and has since remained one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. Analysts believe this latest term could potentially be his last, although he has not publicly indicated any plans to step down.
Attention has also turned to Museveni’s son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is widely seen as a possible successor. However, the military chief has faced criticism over controversial social media posts directed at opposition politicians.
At least 100 civilians were killed in a Nigerian military airstrike on a crowded market in Tumfa, Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, northwest Nigeria, Amnesty International said on Tuesday.
The strike hit the remote market on Sunday, May 10, 2026, with many victims reportedly being women and girls.
This is now the second deadly airstrike on a crowded market in northern Nigeria within the past one month, following a similar incident in April that reportedly killed more than 100 people.
Amnesty International has called on Nigerian authorities to immediately open an independent and thorough investigation into the incident.
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