Category: Agriculture

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…

ARCN Boss lauds FECOHORT’s rapid transformation, urges management to sustain unity

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Dr. Abubakar Adamu Dabban, has praised the Federal College of Horticulture, Dadin-Kowa (FECOHORT), for recording impressive progress within a short period, urged management and staff to continue working as a united team to achieve greater results.   Dr. Dabban stated this on Friday, 21st November 2025, during his maiden familiarization visit to the college in Dadin-Kowa, Gombe State. He expressed satisfaction with the rapid improvements recorded under the Acting Provost, Dr. Umar A. Umar, noting that releasing him to…

Spanish Delegation visits ARCN, strengthens ties on Aquaculture,Women Empowerment

Lukman Laleye Babalola

A Spanish corporate delegation on Tuesday visited the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) to reaffirm ongoing collaboration in aquaculture development and women empowerment initiatives.   Leader of the delegation, Beatriz Navalón, said the visit was aimed at updating the Council on the corporation’s partnership with the Regional Centre of Excellence in Aquaculture, hosted by ARCN. She noted that the collaboration continue to support women-focused programmes and capacity-building initiatives within the aquaculture value chain.   The ARCN Executive Secretary, management staff, and representatives of the Centre expressed appreciation for the…

ARCN champions technological innovation to strengthen Nigeria’s food sovereignty

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting technological advancement and innovation as key enablers of agricultural transformation and food sovereignty in the country.   This reaffirmation came during the 47th National Council on Agriculture and Food Security (NCAFS), held in Kaduna, where the Council joined other key stakeholders in deliberating on strategies to achieve sustainable food security under the theme, “Food Sovereignty and Food Security in an Era of Renewed Hope.”   Speaking during the Technical Session, the Executive Secretary of ARCN, Dr. Abubakar…

Nigeria hosts G20 Africa Outreach meeting to drive Industrial, Agricultural Transformation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria will today host the G20 Africa Outreach Meeting on Industrialisation and Agriculture at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, under the 2025 G20 South Africa Presidency.   The high-level gathering is expected to bring together ministers, ambassadors, development partners, and experts from across Africa and G20 member countries to advance discussions on inclusive growth and sustainable industrialisation across the continent.   Confirming the development, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the event will be co-chaired by Ambassador Bukar Hamman, Nigeria’s G20 Sherpa, and Mr. Ben Joubert,…

Dabban reaffirms Tinubu’s commitment to food sustainability, strengthening Agricultural Research System

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Dr. Abubakar Adamu Dabban, has reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to ensuring food sustainability through a revitalized agricultural research and innovation system. Dr. Dabban gave the assurance during a working visit to the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), Idofian, and the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), Ilorin, Kwara State. Commending the management and staff of both institutes for their dedication in the face of sectoral challenges, Dr. Dabban said the institutions play a critical role…

Union enforces Civil Service rule, reinstates Dr. Catherine Abo as NCRI Head of Administration

Lukman Laleye Babalola

A mild crisis erupted at the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi, Niger State, on Tuesday following a dispute over the appointment of a new Head of Administration after the retirement of the former occupant of the position.   Tension arose when the Executive Director reportedly appointed a junior officer from a university outside the institute to head the department a move that drew strong opposition from staff unions and senior officials.   According to credible sources, the appointment contravene civil service regulations, which stipulate that the most senior administrative…