By Joy Odor Abuja
The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) has called for urgent investment in agricultural research and innovation to strengthen food security and tackle the twin challenges of climate change and population growth.
Executive Secretary of ARCN, Dr. Abubakar Adamu Dabban, made the call on Wednesday at the maiden National Stakeholders’ Forum on Agricultural Research Capabilities held in Abuja.
The forum was jointly organized by ARCN and the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), in collaboration with the Committee of Directors of Research Institutes (CODRI) and the National Committee of Heads of Colleges of Agriculture and Related Disciplines (NACHCARD).
Dr. Dabban said the forum was designed to take stock of Nigeria’s agricultural research journey, celebrate milestones, and design strategies for the future.
He described the event as a “strategic platform” that will henceforth be convened annually to monitor progress in the sector.
“The Nigerian agricultural sector stands at a crossroads, challenged by climate change and rapid population growth, yet energized by the promise of science, innovation, and technology to transform livelihoods and secure food systems,” Dabban said.
He highlighted achievements of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS), including technological innovations, human resource development, and stronger collaboration with development partners.
However, he stressed that sustaining and enhancing these gains was vital for greater impact.
The ARCN Executive Secretary outlined key priorities for the council, including the development of a second-generation strategic and operational plan, review of conditions of service across research institutes, and full implementation of the ARCN (Amended) Act 2021.
He also pledged the timely completion of ongoing projects and the initiation of new ones.
“We must strengthen governance, invest in institutional capacity, and foster collaboration across national, regional, and global levels,” Dabban stated, urging stakeholders to turn the forum’s deliberations into actionable outcomes.
The event drew participants from government, academia, civil society, the private sector, and international development organizations.
It provided a platform for dialogue on how to modernize agricultural research management and generate innovative solutions to Nigeria’s food security challenges.
Declaring the forum open, Dabban urged stakeholders to approach the discussions with candour and commitment, stressing that capability management is a shared responsibility that must cascade across the entire agricultural research value chain.
“Nigeria’s agriculture holds immense potential, but realizing it requires vision, collaboration, and sustained investment in research and innovation,” he concluded.
