The construction of a state-of-the-art agricultural incubation centre at Bayero University Kano (BUK) by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) is nearing completion.
The project is located on a 10-hectare parcel of land at the old campus of the university and is designed as a technology-driven commercial agriculture hub. It integrates poultry production, aquaculture, crop cultivation and a tissue culture research centre aimed at advancing food security and innovation.
The NASENI Agricultural Incubation Centre is expected to be commissioned in the next few months and is described as the most advanced agriculture technology centre in the country. It is designed to support the university community, private and public sector organisations, and promote research commercialisation.
Facilities at the centre include an agribusiness training and incubation centre, three commercially sustainable production centres for broiler and layer poultry units, and 10 greenhouses dedicated to soilless farming. The project also features catfish and tilapia fish farms, a tissue culture laboratory, an administrative block, and open-field cultivation supported by drip irrigation systems.
Speaking during an inspection tour, Acting Coordinating Director of the Engineering Infrastructure Directorate at NASENI Headquarters and project coordinator, Engr. Dr. Agava Abdullahi Abdurasheed, said the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government, particularly in advancing food security.
Chief Executive Officer of Onida Agric and Aquaculture Solutions Ltd, Mr. Israel Kidron, said, “It is definitely going to be the most advanced agriculture technology centre in Nigeria. People will come here to take special courses and training on this kind of technology. University students that will study agriculture will be exposed to practical modern farming and research.”
Director of Laboratory at Bayero University Kano, Dr. Ahmad Yakassai, said, “We are satisfied with what is going on so far and we believe this is going to be the most modern Agric Incubation Centre. The university has been extremely supportive beyond the provision of this land for Nigeria today.”
