FG Launches Agricultural Education Reform to Boost Food Production and Youth Employment

Aligning Education with National Priorities

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the reform as a “pivotal step in repositioning agriculture as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s national development.”

He said the new framework aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision for a technology-driven agricultural sector capable of tackling food insecurity and diversifying the economy.

Alausa expressed concern over declining enrollment in agricultural programmes across Nigerian universities and polytechnics despite sustained public investment.

“Statistics from the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) revealed that 47.92 per cent of admission slots for agricultural courses remain unfilled,” he said.

“Agriculture is a national priority, but enrollment continues to decline. In the past three years, thousands of open slots have gone untaken, posing a serious threat to Nigeria’s food security goals.”

Youth Preference Shifts Toward Technical Training

While tertiary-level interest in agriculture is declining, Alausa noted a surge in applications for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes, reflecting young Nigerians’ preference for hands-on learning.

“Out of more than 900,000 TVET applications recently received, over 210,000 were for livestock farming, while garment making ranked slightly higher with about 260,000 applicants,” he said.

According to him, this trend underscores the urgency to modernise agricultural curricula in higher institutions to match evolving industry demands.

“Young Nigerians are eager to gain practical agricultural skills, but our university curriculum has not kept pace with modern realities,” Alausa added.

Curriculum Overhaul and Economic Impact

The Federal Government said the reform will prioritise practical training, innovation, and value-chain development, ensuring graduates are better equipped to drive agricultural productivity and self-employment.

The initiative also aims to replicate successful models from other countries. Citing Benin Republic’s transformation in cotton processing, Alausa noted that Nigeria could significantly increase export value through skills-based education.

“Benin moved from earning $500 million in raw cotton exports to $12 billion in processed products, creating over 25,000 jobs. Nigeria will replicate this success through curriculum reform that supports production zones and export diversification,” he said.

Agriculture Ministry Backs Reform

Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, emphasised that aligning education with national priorities is critical to achieving food sovereignty and economic resilience.

“To truly diversify our economy, we need more people engaged in agricultural enterprises. Education must therefore focus on practical skills, innovation, and agribusiness—not just theory,” Abdullahi said.

He added that the government’s long-term goal is to develop a new generation of skilled agricultural professionals capable of driving productivity, sustainability, and food sufficiency.

Summary

The Agricultural Education Reform Initiative marks one of Nigeria’s most ambitious attempts to link education directly with national economic objectives. By embedding technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship into agricultural training, the government hopes to turn agriculture into a major driver of job creation and food security.