Category: Agriculture

ARCN, ECOWAS train 200 West African Youth on Sustainable Aquaculture

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Dr. Abubakar Adamu Dabban, on Monday formally opened the Nigerian edition of the 2026 Training of West African Youth in Aquaculture, a regional capacity-building programme aimed at boosting youth employment, food security and sustainable fish production. Speaking at the opening ceremony held at the ARCN Auditorium in Abuja, Dr. Dabban said the training, organised in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), aligned with regional priorities on youth empowerment, environmental sustainability and the development of a…

ARCN, Marine ministry partner to transform Nigeria’s aquatic sector

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government is intensifying efforts to unlock the economic potential of Nigeria’s aquatic resources through a strengthened partnership between the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) and the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. The development followed a working visit by the ARCN Executive Secretary, Dr. Abubakar Adamu Dabban, to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, in Abuja. The meeting focused on strategies to advance fisheries research, aquaculture innovation, and sustainable management of Nigeria’s marine and coastal resources. Dr. Dabban commended President Bola Ahmed…

Marwa turns Cannabis farms into food baskets as NDLEA launches alternative development project in Ondo

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), has said the newly introduced Alternative Development Project is designed to transform illicit cannabis farms into productive food and cash crop plantations, while ending decades of conflict between law enforcement agencies and drug cultivators. Marwa made this known on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at a town hall meeting in Akure, Ondo State, during the official launch of the Alternative Development Pilot Project in Nigeria. The event brought together national stakeholders,…

MURIC urges DSS, Police to arrest man over alleged incitement against Igbo muslims

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on security agencies to immediately arrest and prosecute a man identified as Maazi Kanayo over an alleged audio message inciting violence against Igbo Muslims in South Eastern Nigeria. In a press statement issued on Wednesday, 31 December 2025, the faith-based human rights organisation said it was in possession of a viral audio recording in which the individual allegedly urged members of the public to target Igbo Muslims in parts of the South East. The statement, signed by MURIC’s Founder and Executive Director, Professor…

ARCN, NBRDA strengthen partnership to advance Biotechnology for sustainable agriculture

Emporium Reporters

The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) and the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) have pledged to deepen collaboration in promoting sustainable agricultural development through biotechnology. The commitment was reinforced during a courtesy visit by the Executive Secretary of ARCN, Dr. Abubakar Adamu Dabban, to the NBRDA, aimed at strengthening joint research and innovation in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.   Dr. Dabban emphasized the crucial role of biotechnology in tackling agricultural challenges such as climate change, pests, diseases, and low productivity. He praised…

Former Senate Deputy Clerk, Ahmadu Abdullahi emerges AFAN Chairman in Kogi

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Alhaji Ahmadu E. Abdullahi, a former Deputy Clerk of the Senate at the National Assembly, has emerged as Chairman of the Kogi State chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN).   Abdullahi was inaugurated alongside other members of the state executive council on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, in Lokoja. The ceremony was conducted by the National President of AFAN, Dr. Faruk Rabiu Mudi, who was represented by the Deputy National President.   The 25-member executive council was elected through affirmation, as all the positions were unopposed.   Addressing…

ARCN champions Nigeria’s Agricultural Research agenda at global CGIAR meeting in Abu Dhabi

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) has reinforced Nigeria’s leadership in agricultural research through active participation at the 23rd CGIAR System Council Meeting (SC23), held from 9–12 December 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.   According to the Public Relations Officer to the Executive Secretary of ARCN, Khadijat O. Ameen, the high-level meeting was hosted by the International Affairs Office of the UAE Presidential Court under H.E. Mariam Mohammed AlMheiri and brought together senior policymakers, development partners and heads of leading global agricultural research institutions to chart pathways…

Afrimash showcases digital farming solutions, reaffirms role in Nigeria’s food security at Oyo 2025 Agribusiness Summit

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Afrimash, the Ibadan-based agritech company known for simplifying access to quality agricultural inputs, emerged as one of the most prominent players at the 2025 Oyo Agribusiness Summit, reinforcing its growing influence in Nigeria’s food security ecosystem.   From the opening day, the company’s pavilion drew a steady stream of visitors farmers searching for practical solutions, students eager to learn, policymakers examining scalable interventions, and development partners exploring collaboration. The stand quickly became a centre of innovation and active engagement rather than a conventional exhibition space.   Afrimash Co-Founder and Chief…

ARCN, NABDA, Stakeholders meet to strengthen collaboration , address Biosafety concerns

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Dr. Abubakar Adamu Dabban, has reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to strengthening biosafety standards and promoting sustainable agricultural practices across the country.   Dr. Dabban made the remark during a familiarization visit to the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), facilitated by the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) Nigeria Chapter, an initiative of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), and held under the auspices of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA).   The engagement brought together CEOs and key players…

ARCN Executive Secretary seeks increased funding to strengthen SERVICOM service delivery

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Dr. Abubakar Dabban Adamu, has called for adequate and sustained funding to enhance SERVICOM-driven service delivery across the country’s agricultural research system.   Dr. Adamu made the appeal in Abuja during an advocacy visit by officials of SERVICOM to the Council. He described the engagement as timely, noting that critical SERVICOM meetings had stalled due to funding constraints.   “The meeting is timely. The SERVICOM meeting has not been held because of funding. We are coming out to demand adequate and constant funding to…