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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

FG Adopts 80% Practical Training for Agriculture to Boost Youth Skills, Jobs

From ThisDay · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The Nigerian federal government has approved a reform to agriculture training in tertiary institutions, increasing practical training to 80% and reducing theory to 20%.
  • This shift aims to equip students with real-world skills for the agriculture sector, moving away from the previous 70% theory and 30% practical model.
  • The reform seeks to produce a better-trained workforce, strengthen the agricultural value chain, boost food security, and create jobs.

Nigeria's federal government has enacted a significant reform in agricultural education, prioritizing hands-on learning to better prepare students for the demands of the sector. The new policy mandates an 80% practical training component, a substantial increase from the previous 70% theory and 30% practical split.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the change in Abuja, emphasizing that the goal is to equip young Nigerians with applicable skills beyond the classroom. This strategic shift aims to translate academic training into productive economic activity, fostering national development and strengthening the entire agricultural value chain.

The reform is expected to enhance food security and create more job opportunities within the country. To ensure its success, the ministry plans a comprehensive rollout, including sensitizing stakeholders such as industry players, academics, and teachers about the rationale behind the changes. Adequate teacher training and institutional support are also highlighted as critical for effective implementation.

The goal is to ensure that young Nigerians acquire skills that can be applied beyond the classroom.

— Dr. Tunji AlausaMinister of Education, explaining the objective of the new practical training emphasis.

Professor Idris Muhammad Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, presented the committee's findings, which included 36 reviewed National Diploma and Higher National Diploma curricula, three NCE curricula, and 31 National Occupational Standards. He confirmed that these documents have received approval from relevant regulatory bodies.

Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, commended the collaborative effort involved in developing the new curricula. Both ministers expressed optimism that the reforms will yield tangible results in the agricultural sector, ultimately transforming Nigeria's agricultural potential into concrete opportunities.

Our focus remains on equipping young Nigerians with practical skills and transforming Nigeria’s agricultural potential into real opportunities.

— Dr. Tunji AlausaMinister of Education, assuring effective implementation of the reforms.
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Originally published by ThisDay. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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