The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) has commenced the process of developing a Sectoral Scheme of Service for institutions under its supervision to strengthen professionalism, improve career progression and enhance service delivery across Nigeria’s agricultural research system.
The move was announced during a preliminary meeting between the ARCN and a delegation from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), aimed at initiating discussions on the proposed framework for the Council, National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs) and Federal Colleges of Agriculture (FCAs).
Speaking at the meeting, the Executive Secretary of ARCN, Dr. Abubakar Adamu Dabban, said the initiative reflected the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening public service through effective human resource policies and ensuring that institutions under the Council operate within a fair and well-defined career framework.
He said the proposed Scheme of Service would enhance professionalism, promote staff welfare, ensure uniformity in service administration and improve institutional efficiency across the agricultural research and training system.
According to Dabban, agricultural research, innovation and capacity development remain critical to achieving national food security, economic diversification and sustainable agricultural development, stressing that a clear and contemporary career structure is essential for motivating staff and improving performance.
He expressed optimism that the deliberations would produce a robust and implementable Scheme of Service that aligns with existing public service rules while addressing the peculiar needs of the agricultural research sector.
Responding on behalf of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Deputy Director of Job Design and Development, Mr. Gabriel Imirhe, commended the ARCN for initiating the process, describing it as a demonstration of the Council’s commitment to strengthening institutional capacity and improving career management within the agricultural research sector.
He noted that agriculture remained a strategic pillar for national food security, economic diversification, employment generation, climate resilience and sustainable development, adding that an effective workforce requires career structures that reflect the sector’s unique professional, scientific, technical and administrative responsibilities.
Imirhe explained that the meeting marked the first formal engagement between the OHCSF and ARCN to outline the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that will guide the development of the proposed Scheme of Service.
He said the Office would adopt an evidence-based approach through an extensive field study involving consultations with management, researchers, technical officers, administrative staff, professional bodies and other stakeholders.
According to him, the exercise will examine statutory mandates, organisational structures, existing career frameworks, job roles, qualification requirements, progression patterns and emerging professional specialisations, while benchmarking against best practices.
Imirhe emphasised that the field study is a critical stage in the process and not the approval phase, noting that findings would undergo rigorous technical evaluation before recommendations are forwarded to the appropriate approving authorities.
He assured the Council of the Office’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the Federal Public Service Schemes of Service and called for full cooperation from the ARCN, NARIs and FCAs by providing access to relevant documents, staff records and operational materials needed for the assessment.
