The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, has lauded the ongoing collaboration between the University and the Kogi State Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project, calling it a transformative step in agricultural innovation and climate-smart farming in Nigeria.
Professor Akinwumi made the remarks during the official harvest of greenhouse-grown cucumbers at the University’s Faculty of Agriculture, describing the event as a “new era in integrating research, technology, and practical agricultural training” within Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
A Model for Agricultural Research and Climate Resilience
The Vice-Chancellor emphasized that the ACReSAL-FUL partnership has significantly boosted the University’s capacity for hands-on training, sustainable farming, and research.
Key interventions achieved through the collaboration include:
- Support for 30 farmers through land preparation across 30 hectares
- Provision of improved maize and sorghum seeds
- Establishment of a university orchard with over 3,200 fruit seedlings
- Donation of 9,000 seedlings for campus beautification and tree planting
- Construction of a modern greenhouse facility equipped with climate-friendly irrigation systems
“This initiative aligns seamlessly with our mission to foster entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable livelihoods among our students,” Professor Akinwumi stated.
He added that the collaboration represents a model for university-agency partnerships focused on solving real-world challenges such as food insecurity, climate change, and youth unemployment through agricultural entrepreneurship.
Empowering the Next Generation of Farmers and Researchers
With the integration of greenhouse technology, modern irrigation, and climate-resilient crops, the partnership not only provides practical exposure to students but also strengthens FUL’s reputation as a regional hub for agricultural research and development.
The Vice-Chancellor expressed gratitude to the Kogi State ACReSAL team for their commitment to sustainability and innovation and reaffirmed the University’s dedication to supporting similar initiatives in the future.
