The Federal Government has introduced major reforms aimed at transforming agricultural education and tackling food security challenges across Nigeria. The Federal Ministries of Education and Agriculture and Food Security jointly announced the new initiatives designed to modernise agricultural curricula, attract young Nigerians, and align training with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for a technology-driven agricultural sector.
During the official presentation of the new Agricultural Curriculum Framework in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, described the initiative as a significant milestone in repositioning agriculture as a foundation of national development. He highlighted that the new framework will bridge the gap between education and industry needs, ensuring that young people are prepared for opportunities in modern agriculture.
Dr. Alausa expressed concern over the continuous decline in enrolment into agricultural degree programmes in tertiary institutions despite Nigeria’s substantial investment in the sector. He pointed out that according to the 2024 UTME statistics on applications and admissions, 47.92 percent of the allocated admissions were left unutilised. He noted that while there are thousands of open slots in agricultural courses each year, only a small portion are filled, posing a serious threat to Nigeria’s long-term food security and economic sustainability.
“Agriculture is a major national priority, but enrolment in agriculture in higher institutions is dropping,” he said. “In the last three years, there have been thousands of open slots in agriculture, but only a fraction have been taken. This is a serious gap, especially in an area that should ensure food security for Nigeria and make the country an export hub for agricultural products.”
He compared the low enrolment in higher institutions with the growing interest in vocational and technical agricultural training across the country. “Out of over 900,000 TVET applications received recently, more than 210,000 were for livestock farming alone, while agriculture overall ranked close to garment making, which recorded over 260,000 applicants,” the Minister explained. “This shows that young Nigerians are eager to gain practical agricultural skills, but the outdated tertiary curriculum has not kept pace with modern realities.”
Dr. Alausa reaffirmed the Ministry’s determination to align agricultural education with market demands and emerging opportunities. “That’s why the Ministry of Education and state governments have agreed to modernise the curriculum to meet the needs of modern agricultural education,” he said. “Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the government has already begun creating Special Agricultural Processing and Production Zones to add value and create new value chains that will employ hundreds of thousands of Nigerians.”
The Minister also cited the Republic of Benin’s cotton processing model, located near Borgu in Niger State, as an example of how value addition can empower youth and boost economic growth. “Benin moved from earning $500 million in raw cotton exports to $12 billion in processed cotton products, employing over 25,000 young people. Nigeria will replicate this success through curriculum reform and practical agricultural education that supports our production zones and export diversification goals,” he said.
Dr. Alausa emphasised that the reformed agricultural curriculum will promote innovation, sustainable farming, and entrepreneurship, ensuring that students acquire hands-on experience in crop production, livestock management, and agri-business development. He added that modern technology, climate-smart farming, and agritech innovation will become central components of agricultural education across all levels.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, reiterated the importance of aligning educational programmes with Nigeria’s food sovereignty goals. He said that achieving food security requires a comprehensive overhaul of agricultural education to produce graduates with practical skills and innovative ideas.
“As Nigeria seeks to diversify, we need more people engaged in agricultural enterprise,” Senator Abdullahi stated. “Food security cannot be achieved without aligning our education and training systems with national priorities. Our curriculum must equip graduates not just with theoretical knowledge but with the practical skills and innovation needed to drive agricultural transformation.”
The newly developed Agricultural Curriculum Framework, jointly prepared by the Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, provides a roadmap for modernising agricultural education. It focuses on strengthening technical and vocational training, integrating global best practices, and supporting national efforts to boost youth employment and economic diversification.
The framework also aims to attract young Nigerians into agriculture by introducing practical modules, internship programmes, and partnerships with agribusinesses. It will promote collaboration between universities, polytechnics, and agricultural research institutes to ensure that graduates are prepared for the demands of the agricultural economy.
The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with all stakeholders, including state governments, universities, and private sector actors, to ensure that the revised curriculum delivers modern, inclusive, and industry-relevant agricultural training at all educational levels.
Officials at the event noted that the reforms would help Nigeria reduce food imports, increase local production, and create jobs for millions of young people. The integration of modern technology and agribusiness into education is expected to drive national growth and make agriculture more attractive to the younger generation, strengthening Nigeria’s food security and export potential.