Category: Agriculture

The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) has marked the first anniversary of the appointment of its Executive Secretary, Abubakar Adamu Dabban, showcasing a year of strategic reforms, institutional strengthening, international partnerships, and capacity-building programmes aimed at advancing agricultural innovation and food security in Nigeria. Dr. Dabban, who assumed office on June 12, 2025 following his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has led an ambitious transformation agenda focused on improving governance, boosting research capacity, enhancing stakeholder collaboration, and strengthening the National Agricultural Research System (NARS). According to the council,…

The Federal Government has called for bold investments in artificial intelligence, scientific innovation, and agricultural research as key drivers for transforming agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa and strengthening global food security. The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Abubakar Adamu Dabban, made the call at the 24th Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) System Council Meeting held in Antalya, Türkiye. Dabban noted that Africa holds over 60 per cent of the world’s uncultivated arable land, alongside vast biodiversity and a youthful population, yet continues to face…

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening agricultural development in Nigeria through youth-driven initiatives aimed at boosting agribusiness, job creation, and national food security. The Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, made this known on Monday in Abuja during the official launch of the Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund (YiALTF), an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development. General Nafiu described the launch of the fund as a strong indication of government’s resolve to empower young Nigerians and deepen their participation in…

The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Dr. Adamu Abubakar Dabban, has endorsed the newly formed Association of Agricultural Research Institutes and Colleges Public Relations Officers (AARIC-PRO), describing the initiative as a timely step toward strengthening institutional communication and professionalism across the ARCN system. Dr. Dabban gave the endorsement on Monday, April 27, 2026, while receiving the pioneer executive members of the association during a courtesy visit to his office. The visit was aimed at securing institutional backing for the professionalisation and strategic integration of Public…

Preparations for the 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week (AASW) have intensified, as key stakeholders across Nigeria’s agricultural sector mobilise support ahead of the July 27–30, 2026 event. Delegates from the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) have commenced strategic engagements, taking advocacy for the continental gathering directly to critical government institutions. Leading the delegation on Thursday, March 26, 2026, the Executive Secretary of ARCN, Abubakar Adamu Dabban, visited the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, to solicit support and…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a one-year extension of the ban on the export of raw shea nuts, effective from February 26, 2026, to February 25, 2027. The move is aimed at strengthening domestic value addition, advancing industrial development, and supporting the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda. According to a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the extension is intended to deepen Nigeria’s processing capacity, enhance livelihoods in shea-producing communities, and encourage the growth of exports based on value-added products…

The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) has convened a major Stakeholders’ Validation Session on the raw shea nut export ban, bringing together representatives from across Nigeria’s shea value chain. The session, held on 19th February 2026 and chaired by the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive consultation, transparency, and evidence-based policymaking. Minister Oduwole thanked participants, including processors, exporters, aggregators, and rural women, for their detailed contributions, noting that prior submissions were carefully reviewed to ensure shared understanding.…

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…