The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Economic and Environmental Resource Centre (EERC) aimed at enhancing research policy alignment, knowledge management, and evidence-based policymaking in Nigeria.
The agreement, announced in a press statement issued on February 18, 2026, is designed to promote knowledge engagement, research priority alignment, and collaborative information sharing between both institutions, while also creating opportunities for participation in fellowship programmes.
Speaking during the signing ceremony in Abuja, Executive Secretary of ARCN, Dr. Adamu Abubakar Dabban, expressed satisfaction with the partnership, describing it as a strategic step toward strengthening research outcomes and national development planning.
According to him, the collaboration will foster joint proposal development, policy dialogue, knowledge sharing, and scholarly publications, while supporting participation in EERC’s scholars and fellowship programmes.
He noted that the partnership would strengthen evidence-based policymaking, encourage intellectual exchange, and ensure that research outputs align with Nigeria’s development priorities.
Dr. Dabban explained that ARCN is mandated to manage, supervise, and regulate agricultural research, training, and extension activities across 16 National Agricultural Research Institutes and 18 Federal Colleges of Agriculture nationwide, stressed that collaboration has become essential as agriculture faced environmental and economic challenges.
He added that the MoU represented a strategic alignment between research, policy, and economic sustainability, particularly at a time when agricultural systems must respond to environmental pressures and evolving policy landscapes.
The ARCN boss further reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to ensuring that research institutions operate within clearly defined priorities focused on food security, sustainability, and economic competitiveness. He disclosed that a dedicated team would be nominated to work closely with EERC on implementation and governance arrangements to ensure accountability and measurable outcomes.
On her part, Executive Director of EERC and leader of the delegation, Dr. Adeyanju Oluwatoyin, welcomed the partnership, describing it as a strategic opportunity to develop research-based policies capable of supporting national evaluation and development planning.
She expressed confidence that the collaboration would deliver meaningful impact, noting that both organisations share a common vision of strengthening policy through research-driven solutions.
Top management staff of ARCN and senior programme advisers from EERC were present at the signing ceremony.
