The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), TPL Dr. Adamu Abubakar Dabban, has challenged newly admitted postgraduate students of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, to pursue research that addresses Nigeria’s pressing developmental challenges.
Dabban gave the charge in his goodwill message at the 2025/2026 Postgraduate Matriculation Ceremony of ABU held on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
He urged the students to look beyond the acquisition of academic certificates and focus on generating knowledge, innovations and practical solutions capable of improving the lives of Nigerians.
According to him, postgraduate education should serve as a bridge between academic knowledge and national development, with students viewing their admission as an opportunity to make meaningful contributions to the country.
He challenged the students to continually ask themselves: “What problem will my research solve?” as they progress through their academic programmes.
Dabban identified food security, climate change, agricultural technology, biotechnology, value addition and sustainable development as critical areas requiring innovative research to address Nigeria’s development needs.
“Do not pursue your postgraduate programme solely for the certificate. Pursue knowledge, pursue innovation and, above all, pursue solutions that can improve the lives of our people,” he said.
The ARCN Executive Secretary also called for stronger collaboration among universities, research institutes, government agencies and the private sector, stressing that the complexity of Nigeria’s developmental challenges requires cooperation across institutions and disciplines.
He encouraged the students to maximise ABU’s academic environment, research facilities and intellectual community while upholding discipline, integrity, curiosity and academic excellence.
Dabban said the true value of postgraduate education would ultimately be reflected not in the academic titles attached to graduates’ names, but in the ideas they generate, lives they transform and national problems they help solve.
He congratulated the matriculating students and wished them a successful and impactful academic journey, urging them to ensure that their research translates into innovation and national development.
