The Federal Government has announced a strategic plan to completely overhaul agricultural education curricula across all levels of learning in Nigeria, from basic schools to tertiary institutions. This initiative is aimed at making agriculture more attractive to the youth and boosting national food security and job creation.
The announcement was made by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, during the National Summit on Agricultural Education held in Abuja. The move is a response to the current administration’s priority of leveraging agriculture to drive economic diversification and solve the twin challenges of food insecurity and high unemployment among young people.
Key Objectives of the Revamp
The core objectives of the planned educational restructuring include:
- Attracting Youth: Making agricultural studies relevant and modern to appeal to young Nigerians, encouraging them to view farming as a viable and profitable career path, not just a subsistence activity.
- Curriculum Overhaul: Ensuring that curricula are modernised to focus on practical, technology-driven skills, including digital agriculture, irrigation, and agribusiness management, rather than outdated theoretical knowledge.
- Skilled Workforce: Producing a new generation of skilled agricultural entrepreneurs and professionals capable of meeting the demands of modern farming and the entire value chain.
- Food Security: Directly contributing to the Federal Government’s target of achieving national food sufficiency and stability.
The Minister emphasised that this reform will be a collaborative effort, involving the Ministries of Agriculture, Education, and other relevant agencies to ensure a cohesive national policy.
