The Federal Government has announced a major shift in agricultural education, with tertiary institutions expected to adopt an 80 per cent practical and 20 per cent theoretical training model to equip Nigerian youths with skills required to participate effectively in the agricultural sector.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Thursday while receiving the report of the National Implementation Committee on the Review and Development of Agricultural Curricula for Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria.
Alausa said the new approach represented a significant departure from the previous model of 70 per cent theoretical and 30 per cent practical training, stressing that the reform was designed to produce graduates with hands-on skills that could be applied beyond the classroom.
He said the initiative was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the administration’s commitment to developing agriculture as a skills-based sector.
The minister said, ‘The shift to 80 per cent practical training is a major step towards equipping Nigerian youths with relevant skills and advancing the economic objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.’
He expressed optimism that the revised curricula would produce a better-trained workforce, strengthen capacity in the agricultural sector and transform training into productive economic activities.
Alausa also called for a comprehensive rollout of the new curricula, urging the ministry to sensitise industry players, academics, teachers and other stakeholders on the rationale behind the reforms.
He emphasised the need for adequate teacher training and institutional support to ensure effective implementation of the new programmes.
Earlier, the Minister of State for Education, Prof Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, commended members of the committee for their commitment to the curriculum review.
She acknowledged the contributions of the National Board for Technical Education, Skills Council, industry representatives and academics, saying their collaboration strengthened the review process.
Ahmad said she was optimistic that the reviewed curricula would produce visible results in the agricultural sector, urging stakeholders and the public to support the reforms, particularly the increased emphasis on practical training.
Presenting the report, the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, Prof Idris Bugaje, disclosed that the exercise produced 36 new and reviewed National Diploma and Higher National Diploma curricula, three National Certificate in Education curricula and 31 National Occupational Standards.
He said 27 of the occupational standards were developed from scratch, while four existing standards were reviewed.
According to him, the documents have been considered and approved by the relevant regulatory bodies, including the Board and Commission.
Bugaje said the complete set of curricula would be formally presented at a later public event, describing the outcome as a major boost to agricultural skills development in the country.
Alausa assured that the ministry would work with NBTE, tertiary institutions, industry and other stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the reviewed curricula.
He said the focus would remain on equipping young Nigerians with practical skills, strengthening the agricultural sector and turning Nigeria’s agricultural potential into productive opportunities.