FG Revamps Agric Education With 39 Curricula, Hands-On Training

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has unveiled 39 reviewed and newly developed agricultural curricula and 31 National Occupational Standards alongside an 80:20 practical-to-theoretical coaching reform to strengthen meals safety, increase youth employment and speed up agricultural productiveness.

Speaking on the launch held on the UBEC Digital Resource Centre, Abuja on Monday, Alausa described the initiative as a strategic funding in human capital growth designed to bridge the hole between schooling and {industry}, equip learners with sensible competencies and place agriculture as a driver of financial development.

He harassed that unlocking Nigeria’s agricultural potential requires a talented workforce able to deploying trendy applied sciences, bettering manufacturing and constructing sustainable agribusinesses.

The Minister disclosed that the reform course of started in 2025 by collaboration among the many Federal Ministries of Education, Agriculture and Food Security, and Livestock Development, alongside regulatory businesses, instructional establishments, curriculum specialists and {industry} stakeholders.

The train which he mentioned is below President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, produced 39 curricula comprising 32 reviewed and 7 newly developed programmes in addition to 31 National Occupational Standards masking National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and corresponding Nigeria Certificate in Education(NCE) agricultural programmes developed in collaboration with the National Commission for Colleges of Education(NCCE).

“A key feature is the 80:20 practical-to-theoretical training ratio which prioritises hands-on learning through teaching farms, greenhouses, processing facilities and agricultural technology hubs.

‘The curricula also incorporate emerging fields such as Precision Agriculture, Climate-Smart Agriculture, Artificial Insemination and Agribusiness to prepare graduates for evolving industry needs and promote enterprise creation,” an announcement by the minister’s Special Adviser of Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah.

Alausa reaffirmed his dedication to working with related ministries, regulators, establishments and {industry} companions to make sure efficient implementation.

He emphasised that success can be measured by graduates’ sensible competence, improved agricultural output, elevated employment and tangible contributions to nationwide meals safety.

Also talking, the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, counseled the initiative describing it as a significant step in the direction of sensible, industry-driven agricultural schooling.

He praised Tinubu’s deal with agriculture and livestock growth and acknowledged the contributions of the Ministers of Education and Agriculture and the technical group in delivering the reform.

He highlighted livestock’s significance to meals and vitamin safety, employment, industrial development and exports.

Citing the Middle East crimson meat market valued at roughly $3.2 billion, he famous that Nigeria’s capability to compete remained constrained by an inadequately organised sector and a scarcity of hands-on experience.

He urged establishments to offer purposeful farms, promote digital and climate-smart practices, and increase inclusive entry to abilities, know-how, finance and markets, stressing that sensible coaching services must be central to institutional accreditation.

Earlier, the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, described the disclosing as a major milestone in repositioning Technical and Vocational Education and Training, strengthening instructor preparation and aligning schooling with labour-market calls for.

She mentioned competency-based instruction and clearly outlined occupational requirements would enhance coaching high quality and put together graduates for productive employment.

Ahmad referred to as on regulatory businesses, establishments and {industry} companions to help implementation by certified instructors, sufficient gear, purposeful workshops and steady skilled growth.

She additionally advocated stronger {industry} partnerships for apprenticeships, industrial attachments and office studying, with equitable alternatives for ladies, individuals with disabilities and younger individuals from underserved communities.